Maria Bourn has dedicated her career to zealously representing employees discriminated against based on their gender, race, ethnicity, or disability. She has extensive experience in both trial and appellate work, and is not afraid to take on complex or complicated cases, as evidenced by her track record of multiple seven figure verdicts. 

Maria has been named as a Super Lawyer since 2016. This distinction is based on a peer review process and is awarded to only the top attorneys. Maria’s clients have nothing but positive reviews to share, and quickly become more than clients, but a friend and part of her extended family. She has appeared in “Lawyer Monthly Magazine- Women in Law” in recognition of her outstanding legal experience and skill.
 
Maria graduated magna cum laude from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s degree in science and then earned her JD from John F. Kennedy Law School. During law school, Maria dedicated over 1200 hours volunteering as a certified legal intern with several non-profit organizations in the Bay Area.
 
From the beginning of her career, Maria’s passion was trial advocacy.  In law school she became a certified law student in order to advocate for individuals unlawfully evicted or unlawfully arrested.  When she began practicing law, Maria continued to pursue using the justice system to advocate for her clients. In 2014, Maria won a trial in Alameda County, collecting punitive damages on behalf of a sexually harassed employee at a trucking company, earning her accolades from the judge presiding over the case, who noted that Ms. Bourn’s trial skills were exceptional.  Maria’s trial success extends to arbitration, including  winning a tough case in 2016, wherein the defendant offered nothing to settle because they were so confident that they would win.

Ms. Bourn’s exemplary track record continued with winning a case against a cosmetic surgeon for firing his employee when she took leave to serve in the military. The Covid-19 pandemic could not slow Maria down, and she tried the first case in San Francisco during the pandemic, victorious over some of the most experienced trial attorneys in California.  Her wins didn’t stop there, as Maria proceeded to try a case in Tulare County wherein she won $1,280,000 for a janitor fired while on medical leave, followed by another trial in Tulare County that settled in the middle of trial for substantially more than ever offered during the pre-trial settlement negotiations. In yet another trial, Maria received a $3,005,000 verdict for a Plaintiff injured at work while walking to complete his shift. These are just a few examples of the tenacity shown by Maria seeking justice for her clients.

Furthermore, losing a case in district court does not stop Ms. Bourn from pursuing justice. She has taken several matters to the appellate court and in Moore v. Regents (2016) 248 Cal.App.4th 216) had an entire decision overturned, resulting in a leading case on employment discrimination cited in California jury instructions.

Maria is a member of The State Bar of California and is licensed to practice before all state courts. She is also admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California. In addition, Maria is a member of the California Employment Lawyers Association, and has served as co-chair for CELA’s Public Employees Committee as well as co-chair of San Francisco Barristers Labor Employment section and San Mateo Bar Association Labor Employment Law section. Maria has spoken at several conferences across the state, and enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with colleagues in this manner.  

 

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Education

• John F. Kennedy University School of Law, J.D., Public Interest Law Honors: Top 10%, Dean’s List; Public Interest Certificate

• Oregon State University Honors: Top 1%, Outstanding Graduate of the Year

Bar Admissions

• California

• All U.S. District Courts in California Awards