Maria practiced law for over 30 years in the areas of trusts and estate and real estate and retired from the practice of law in 2017. She previously was an adjunct professor at Pace Law School, where she taught Legal Writing and Research. She also served as both a Village Trustee and member of the Planning Board for the Village of Croton-on-Hudson. Maria graduated from Wagner College in 1971 and Pace Law School, cum laude, in 1981, where she was a member of the Pace Law Review.