Maria has represented clients being sued or investigated by state attorneys general (AGs), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), licensing boards, and other government entities for more than 25 years. She understands the procedural, substantive, and reputational complexities unique to government investigations, and helps her clients navigate the terrain and preserve their rights.
From addressing regulator interest arising from consumer complaints, to guiding a client through the unique pre-litigation investigations that AGs and the FTC can conduct (including negotiating the scope of government requests for business documents and interviews), to litigating on behalf of clients in administrative proceedings and state and federal courts, Maria seeks creative solutions to mitigate her clients’ risk and reach a favorable resolution. She also has crafted legislative and other public policy solutions to legal challenges.
She builds a close partnership with her clients, developing an understanding of the client’s business, challenges, and goals so that she can craft a tailored strategy. Her goal is to resolve government inquiries while allowing clients’ businesses to continue operating with as little interruption as possible.
Maria has extensive experience in counseling consumer-facing companies on consumer protection issues related to marketing, sales, service contracts, and regulatory compliance. A significant portion of her practice centers on issues relating to product or service marketing, customer service, labeling, and other consumer protection issues; hazardous waste, electronic waste, and other environmental issues; data privacy and breaches; business licensing and regulation; and unclaimed property. She represents clients across a wide variety of industry sectors, including pharmaceuticals, nutrition/dietary supplements, data management, consumer debt, consumer lending, telecommunications, hospitality, automotive, retail, grocery, security, and real estate. Her clients include Fortune 100 companies, local businesses, charities, nonprofit organizations, and trade associations.
She has successfully negotiated a number of class action product liability settlements, most significantly representing a major health care corporation in the historic national silicone gel breast implant litigation in the United States and Canada. She also has developed the administrative framework for national settlement programs and defended class settlements against attacks on appeal and collaterally.
Maria supports the professional advancement of women at Cozen O'Connor by serving on the Executive Board of the firm’s Women’s Initiative and leading Women’s Initiative mentoring efforts.