Maria, who is fluent in Spanish, joined Legal Council for Health Justice in 2008. Previously, she worked as a legal assistant at a private law firm in Chicago for more than nine years, assisting with cases in family law, real estate, probate, and litigation. Maria studied criminology at Turabo University in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and holds a legal secretary associate degree from St. Augustine College. In her spare time, Maria is an active PTA member at her children's school and volunteers as part of the Parent Mentor Program in Logan Square.