Maria’s practice is concentrated in the area of civil litigation and administrative law, with emphasis on commercial, labour and private disputes, workplace safety and health, collections, construction, insurance, personal injury, human rights, real estate, bankruptcy, and aboriginal matters.

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Political Science) from the University of Winnipeg, 1988.

Bachelor of Laws from the University of Manitoba, 1991.

CALL TO THE BAR: Manitoba, 1992

REPRESENTATIVE CASES/TRANSACTIONS: Maria has appeared in Courts in virtually every level in Manitoba, including administrative tribunals and Northern Flood Agreement matters representing a major utility.

Her litigation and administrative work involves having represented both claimants and respondents, including individuals, corporations, insurance companies, financial institutions, and municipalities.

Since 1995, Maria has provided legal services to Manitoba Women’s Enterprise Centre, an Initiative established to improve business and economic opportunities for women in Manitoba. In this context, she has been exposed to a variety of issues including the balancing of legal rights and policy considerations.

Since 1998, Maria has provided legal services to a major utility in Manitoba under the Northern Flood Agreement. Maria has also provided services to certain First Nation organizations and First Nation Education Authorities. Services have primarily focused on contracts and employment and human resource related matters. Having provided these services, Maria has gained significant experience in understanding many of the issues and policy considerations facing such initiatives and First Nations

LEGAL TEACHINGS: Sessional lecturer for the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law for the last nine years.
Learning Facilitator, Continuing Legal Education Program.

OTHER SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: Presented seminars to various women groups touching upon basic issues concerning legal rights, entitlements and small businesses matters.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Board of Director at Misericordia Health Centre

Honourary Counsel for the Italian Canadian League of Manitoba, the umbrella organization for the Italian community of Manitoba

Past President of the Centro Caboto Centre, the property manager for the Giovanni Caboto Centre of Manitoba

A director of Prairie Theatre Exchange

Former director of the Dante Alighieri Cultural Society of Manitoba

Former director of W.I.S.H. (Women in Second Stage Housing)

• Liability Insurance

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• Heavy Construction Expo April 8, 2013 6:30 am to April 9, 2013 5:00 pm

  The materials and instruction presented are designed to teach / familiarize owners, managers, supervisors and project managers with: construction contracts and contract law; liabilities and responsibilities both in the office and the field; compiling and submitting proper extras and claims; ways and means to avoid conflict in contracts, with owners, trades, and labour. A manual, summarizing course and documents used in the industry, is included. We would also want to consider some form of certification/evaluation of participant knowledge aside from simply a certificate of attendance. We could likely approach the Gold seal Program and arrange to have it Gold Seal Certified.   In support of the above the outline of the course topic areas includes: Contract Responsibilities of all Parties Avoiding Construction Disputes Contract law, Interpretation & Who’s Responsible Impact Costs and Procedures Drawings and Specifications – Interpretation Bidding and Risks Review of Contract/Sub-Contract Agreements Supervisor and Company Liabilities Defining and avoiding back charges Negotiations for Dispute Resolution Proper letters for Contract Changes/Extras Correspondence/Documentation re: Disputes Builders Lien Act – Rights and Remedies Bonding and Insurance Extras – Process & Documentation Avoiding Construction Claims Claims- Process & Documentation Resolving disputes Construction Claims – Reasons Arbitration and Mediation. Read more...