Maria is a senior litigator at the firm and chairs its dedicated Creditors’ Rights + Bankruptcy group. As part of her broad legal practice, she maintains a focus on working with community banks and credit unions as outside general counsel, advising them on issues ranging from collections and loan workouts to growth strategy and business operations.
Maria’s practice has earned acclaim from publications nationwide, having earned a “Distinguished” designation from attorney rating service Martindale Hubbell and distinction as one of the most respected attorneys in Columbus from The Best Lawyers in America.
Creditors' Rights + Bankruptcy
Maria spends most of her time representing clients in all aspects of creditors’ rights and bankruptcy matters. She represents clients in Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in both the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio and is also involved in litigation related to breaches of representations and warranties stemming from the sale of commercial mortgage-backed securities. She also assists clients through her experience and insight into issues such as restructuring, foreclosures, receiverships, collections, garnishments, loan documentation, out-of-court workouts, and relief from stay concerns.
Corporate Litigation
As part of her litigation practice, Maria represents businesses and individuals not only in courtrooms, but also in arbitrations, mediations, and throughout administrative proceedings. Her experience includes matters related to employment, securities, probate, class action, and others, as well as issues connected to breach of contract, trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and business and shareholder disputes.
Real Estate
Another aspect of Maria’s practice focuses on real estate litigation, where she assists clients with issues related to boundary and easement disputes; the negotiation, drafting and dispute of lease agreements; and title issues, including title insurance defense.
- Kent State University (B.A. 1994)
- Capital University School of Law (J.D. 1997)
- Cum laude
- Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District Court of Ohio
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District Court of Ohio
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth District
- KEMBA Financial Credit Union, Board of Directors, Director
- Ohio State Bar Association, member
- Real Estate Committee, Columbus Bar Association, member
- Bankruptcy Law Committee, Columbus Bar Association, member
- Bankruptcy Judicial Liaison Committee, Columbus Bar Association (2011-2013)
- American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), member
- Women Lawyers of the Columbus Bar Association, member
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), member
- Turnaround Management Association, member
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
- Recognized in Columbus CEO Top Lawyers, 2022, 2024, 2025
- Martindale-Hubbell® rating of Distinguished®
- Women for Economic Leadership Development (WELD), member
