Maria is an accomplished attorney with thirty years of experience in civil litigation in state and federal courts. Her practice has involved defending corporations and insurers, primarily in the railroad and transportation industries. She has defended both Class I Railroads (Southern Pacific, Missouri Pacific, Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad) as well as Short Line Railroads in grade crossing accidents, trespasser fatalities, cases filed under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA), cumulative trauma, occupational illness, toxic torts, and property damage cases. She has also defended clients in traffic accidents and fatalities involving buses, tractor-trailers, eighteen wheelers, vans, and motorcycles. In addition, her practice has included personal injury, construction, product liability and commercial cases. Her extensive experience has enabled her to defend lawsuits economically, efficiently, and effectively. Maria is AV preeminent rated by Martindale Hubbell.

Maria has been happily married to her husband, Tom, for thirty-five years and is incredibly proud of her two grown children, Julie and Carl. She is one of six children herself and spends time visiting family across the U.S. when she and Tom are not at the lake or enjoying life with old friends. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, wine-making, and creating mosaics.

Services

• Litigation

Education

• University of Houston Law School, J.D., 1986
• University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 1982

Admissions

• State Bar of Texas
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas