Mary Grace Hermosa Casano

Executive Director for Legal Aid, IBP Cebu City Chapter and Cebu City Justice Zone

Mary Grace Hermosa Casano is a nationally recognized legal aid advocate, litigator, and systems innovator dedicated to advancing access to justice and institutional reform in the Philippines. Atty. Casano holds a Juris Doctor from the University of San Carlos and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the Philippines.

As a member of the Technical Working Group of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council—comprising the Supreme Court, Department of Justice, and Department of the Interior and Local Government—Atty. Casano contributes to shaping national justice reform strategies. Her work combines legal expertise, community engagement, and systems thinking to drive impactful initiatives.

As a litigator, Atty. Casano handles high-profile and public interest cases, and serves as a deputized special prosecutor for Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Trafficking in Persons (TIP) cases, many of which she takes on pro bono. Atty. Casano’s private practice covers immigration, corporate law, labor relations, election law, intellectual property, and compliance with economic zone regulations.

Since 2018, Atty. Casano has served as Executive Director for Legal Aid of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) – Cebu City Chapter and as Core Team Head of the Cebu City Justice Zone. Atty. Casano is also the President of the Cebu Lady Lawyers Association and represents the legal sector in the Philippine National Police Advisory Council.

In academia, Atty. Casano teaches Clinical Legal Education, Legal Research and Writing, and Legal Forms at the University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance, nurturing future lawyers with a strong sense of integrity and social responsibility.

She is the lead architect of award-winning programs like the Humanity Behind Bars Integrated Jail Decongestion and Management Program and the Persons Deprived of Liberty Data Management System, both national benchmarks for jail reform. Atty. Casano is a multi-awarded and highly respected pro bono advocate, honored with numerous accolades—including the prestigious IBP National Most Outstanding Legal Aid Lawyer award for six consecutive years (2019–2024) and under her years of legal aid directorship, IBP Cebu City was inducted into the esteemed IBP Legal Aid Hall of Fame.

Atty. Casano currently serves also as Deputy Director of the IBP National Center for Legal Aid (NCLA).