Overview
McDermott Will & Emery is proud to announce that Maria C. Rodriguez has been named to the Daily Journal’s list of “Top Women Lawyers 2019” for her standout client service and leadership in the legal field and at the Firm.
Maria has built a multifaceted employment practice that includes advising corporations on employment law compliance and mergers and acquisitions and defending employment cases and class action litigation. At trial, she has produced wins in multiple-plaintiff wage-and-hour, retaliation, discrimination and wrongful termination cases. Maria regularly conducts trainings for employees at all levels of an organization, including customizable programs for the the Board, C-Suite and in-house legal teams. Notably, her team developed a unique, interactive, video and technology-based anti-harassment training program tailored to television and film production and the needs of Hollywood, which has since been adopted across the industry.
She has deep and longstanding relationships with clients across a range of industries and her experience includes representing major Hollywood studios, television networks, production companies, sports agencies, minor and major league sports teams, technology companies as well as companies in food service and the transportation industry. Maria and her team handle all of the employment litigation and counseling in California for a major telecom company, using both legal prowess and business acumen to driving down the cost of settling employment suits. Another testament to her premier client service, Maria has worked with one particular client since 1998, during which time she transitioned the relationship to her new firm.
Since joining the Firm as part of the launch of its standalone employment practice, Maria has been driving new diversity initiatives at McDermott. She founded the annual Women in the Office of the General Counsel event. This distinctive event brings together women from in-house teams and private practices to connect, network and learn from one another in an inclusive setting. Discussions address topics like unconscious bias, preventing harassment in the era of #MeToo and ethical challenges and influences in the office of the general counsel.
Outside of the office, Maria is an executive committee member of the Los Angeles County Bar’s Labor and Employment Law Section and the former president of the Cuban-American Bar Association. She supports a number of local organizations, including serving on the board of directors of CAN-Do and Natasha Watley Foundation and as an Executive Member of Women in Film.
Maria has previously been recognized by the Daily Journal as among “California’s Leading Labor and Employment Lawyers.” She is ranked in Chambers USA and was named to Super Lawyers from 2012 to 2018.
About McDermott
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. With more than 20 locations on three continents, our team works seamlessly across practices, industries and geographies to deliver highly effective—and often unexpected—solutions that propel success. More than 1,100 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
