Maria is a strategic construction litigator who represents owners, design professionals, contractors, and specialty subcontractors in litigation, close-out disputes, and licensing challenges on large-scale commercial, high-end residential, and institutional projects. Her pragmatic approach – shaped by a multifaceted professional background – allows her to deliver advice that is both grounded and actionable. Clients trust Maria to bring the same rigorous work ethic and meticulous attention to detail to every matter, whether she is handling a multimillion-dollar dispute or a smaller close-out issue taken on pro bono.
When brought onto a case, Maria begins by immersing herself in her client’s business, the dispute, the applicable law, and the underlying construction project. She then communicates a clear path forward, serving as a steady and reassuring voice. Clients value her ability to demystify the legal process, walk them through each stage with a playbook of what to expect, and collaborate in whatever way best fits their needs. She understands that a lawsuit is rarely a client’s only concern, and she works to integrate her representation into their broader professional and personal lives with as little disruption as possible.
Maria maintains a steady, solution-driven focus even in the most challenging legal circumstances. As one colleague put it, “when others struggle, she surfs.” She draws on exceptional writing, analytical, and research skills to power her advocacy, particularly in motion practice. The foundation for these capabilities was laid in her first legal role as a federal law clerk – an extremely competitive and demanding position where only the most talented young lawyers are selected. In that role, she drafted judicial opinions under intense pressure, with perfection as the standard. She went on to build additional depth in general civil defense, where she handled a broad range of cases. These experiences were paramount to her development as a litigator, honing her ability to investigate complex legal issues, craft persuasive arguments, and deliver work product that withstands the highest level of scrutiny.
Before practicing law, Maria spent eight years teaching English across three continents. Outside of work, she embraces nearly every outdoor pursuit – from hiking glaciers to running, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, and biking. True to her self-described motto that she “will jump off of or out of anything high,” she has also taken on adventures like sky diving and parasailing. Compared to those pursuits, a summary judgment argument feels like a piece of cake.
