Maria is a specialist in commercial and employment litigation and mediation. She has been a Barrister Sole since June 2000 and in legal practice as a litigator for more than 20 years.

Maria acts as counsel in disputes involving construction, director's liability, professional conduct and other contract and negligence disputes. In her employment practice, Maria acts as counsel for both employers and senior employees. She is regularly involved in disciplinary investigations, restructuring issues, health and safety issues, collective bargaining, restraint of trade and confidentiality actions. Maria is a member of the Auckland District Law Society, Employment Law Committee and has been a speaker at various employment law seminars.

Maria is on the Panel of Mediators certified by LEADR and has served on the Board of LEADR NZ since 2006. In November 2009, Maria was appointed as a mediator in the first High Court Civil Mediation Pilot at Auckland. She is also a mediator on the New Zealand Law Society Complaints Service Mediation Panel.

Prior to moving to the independent bar, Maria held litigation roles with two New Zealand law firms, Morrison Kent, Wellington and Young Hunter & Co, Christchurch. Maria also worked in London for two years spending time with Richards Butler, Solicitors acting on a large construction arbitration and as a prosecuting lawyer with the UK Financial Services Regulator (FIMBRA).

Maria is a graduate of Otago University (LLB 1986) and Victoria University (LLM 1999).