Raised in Shoreline, Maren attended Highland Terrace, Syre, Einstein and Shorewood. All five of Maren's siblings also graduated from Shorewood (Alayne '91, Keri '93, Derek '97, Clark '00, and Leanne '02). Maren's mom Geneva served as PTA president several times, including as Shoreline Council President, and just finished her term as Co-President of the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation. The Norton family is often seen at Shorewood and Einstein wrestling matches where Maren's brothers Derek and Clark are coaches.

Maren served as Shorewood Class of 1995 Senior Class President before receiving a scholarship to attend Stanford University. Maren worked her way through college, eventually earning a degree in Political Science in 1999. At Stanford, Maren served as Student Body President and received the J.E. Wallace Sterling Award for service to Stanford and the community, the Dean's Award for Service to the Stanford community, and the Lion's Award for public service. In her junior year of college, Maren received a grant and created a summer learning program for the Ballinger Homes neighborhood.

After graduating from Stanford, Maren worked for two years as then-Representative Carolyn Edmonds' legislative assistant. In that capacity, Maren worked with legislators, community members, and interest groups on issues of importance to the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park area, including education, higher education, senior issues, and transportation.

Then Maren headed to Michigan to attend the University of Michigan Law School. At the end of her first year of law school, Maren was elected as the President of the Law School Student Senate. She served an unprecedented two terms as president and was awarded the Jenny Runkles Memorial Scholarship for commitment to improving the community through devotion to public interest and diversity, the Ford Foundation Law School Leadership Award, and the Irving Stenn Jr. Award for exemplary leadership and extra-curricular contributions.

After graduating from law school, there was no question that Maren would move back to the Shoreline School District. She now lives in the Ridgcrest neighborhood. Maren is an attorney at Stoel Rives LLP with extensive experience in the areas of environmental superfund cleanup, telecommunications, and general commercial litigation. In addition, Maren spends a significant amount of time doing pro bono work in housing, immigration, and kinship care. Last November, Maren was honored as the Volunteer of the Year for the King County Bar Association Kinship Care Program.

In her spare time, Maren loves judging the annual History Day competition, volunteering at the Washington State Special Olympics Track and Field competition, serving as a board member for the Stanford Club of Washington, and spending time with her many nieces and nephews.

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