Experience

Attorney Maria Rota has more than 20 years experience representing both public and private employers in labor and employment related matters. Her practice includes general municipal law, with a focus on labor and employment related litigation and collective bargaining. Attorney Rota counsels clients on a variety of employment matters including, public retirement laws, discrimination, sexual harassment, employee benefits, and employee discipline. She regularly represents municipal clients before the Civil Service Commission and Labor Relations Commission as well in labor arbitration proceedings. Other areas of municipal practice include advising clients on liquor licensing and representing licensing authorities before the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. She has also represented clients in proceedings before the State Sprinkler Appeals Board. In addition to serving municipal clients, Attorney Rota has experience representing housing authorities in state court tort litigation.

Representative Matters

• Successfully defended municipal appointing authorities before the Civil Service Commission in police discipline cases.
• Obtained jury verdict in favor of public housing authority in premises liability case.
• Obtained favorable arbitration award for municipality in police overtime dispute.
• Successfully opposed restaurant’s attempt to stay liquor license suspension during pendency of appeal.
• Successfully defended appointing authority disciplinary actions in appeals before Superior Court.

Prior Experience

Fine Hotels Corp., Wellesley, MA
Senior In-House Counsel (1991-2004)
Advised company executives in all aspects of general business law, real estate, zoning, consumer protection, premises liability, liquor regulation, construction and employment law. Drafted, negotiated and reviewed broad range of contracts including, equipment and finance leases, information technology agreements, commercial leases, service and supply contracts, franchise agreements, utility supply contracts, construction, and employment agreements. Represented company in state courts and before administrative agencies on various matters including employment, discrimination and supervised litigation referred to outside counsel. Managed multi-million dollar self-insured general liability program.

SEIU Local 509, Boston, MA
Chief Counsel (1987-1991)
Established in-house legal department for 8500 member public sector union. Counseled union officers on internal governance, collective bargaining and legislative matters. Supervised legal staff and negotiated collective bargaining agreement with staff union.

NAGE/IBPO, Boston, MA
Staff Attorney (1983-1987)
Represented state, federal and municipal employees in all phases of grievance arbitration and administrative appeals. Tried cases before the Civil Service Commission, Merit Systems Protection Board, EEOC and Federal Labor Relations Authority. Provided representation in retirement proceedings before local and county authorities. Negotiated collective bargaining agreements for police and public school employee locals.

Memberships & Affiliations

• Massachusetts Bar Association

Bar & Court Admissions

• Massachusetts Bar
• U.S. District Court (Mass.)

Education

Suffolk University Law School
Juris Doctor, 1982

College of the Holy Cross
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, 1977

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