Maria Rockwell focuses her practice on all aspects of probate and domestic relations cases as well as all aspects of civil appeals. She works with clients from the initial interview through settlement negotiations, trial, post-judgment motions, appeals and collection of judgments. Clients turn to Maria not only to protect their interests, from custody to proper distribution of estate post-separation, but also to guide them through challenging life changes.
Several of Maria’s cases have resulted in published decisions in the Massachusetts Appeals Court and Supreme Judicial Court. The Probate and Family Court has appointed Maria to represent incompetent litigants and serve as guardian ad litem to investigate and report to the Court involving matters relating to wills, trusts, probate accounts and child related issues in custody disputes.
Maria currently serves on the Committee for Public Counsel Services’ Children and the Law Program appellate panel. She has participated in numerous continuing legal education programs and also served on a panelist on seminars relating to paternity, guardianships and trusts.
Practice areas
I work in all aspects of family law: divorce, modifications, child support, child custody, jurisdictional issues.
19 years
I work on administration of estates, guardianships, conservatorships, will contests, trust cases, breach of fiduciary duty. I also serve as a court-appointed GAL in this area.
19 years
My appellate practice is limited to civil appeals. I have worked on several interlocutory appeals and appeals to the full bench. I am certified as appellate counsel through the Children and Family Law program.
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
MA | Active | 2002 | 12/23/2017 |
Legal answers | 8 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C. | 2005 - Present |
Judicial Law Clerk | Probate and Family Court | 2002 - 2005 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Worcester County Bar Association | Bench-Bar Committee | 2011 - Present |
Massachusetts Bar Association | Probate Committee | N/A |
Friendly House | Board of Directors | N/A |
Worcester County Bar Association | Probate Court Committee | N/A |
Worcester County Bar Association | Young Lawyers | N/A |
MetroWest Women's Bar Committee | Member | N/A |
---|
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Metro West Daily News | Compromise will hire more lawyers for the poor by David Riley | 2011 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Suffolk University Law School | JD - Juris Doctor, cum laude | N/A |
Providence College | BA, Summa Cum Laude | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
A Comprehensive Guide to Trust Practice - How to Establish a Trust | A Trust Series You Can Trust | 2011 |
Elder Law Education Program | Most Commonly Asked Questions in Elder Law | 2011 |
Planning for aging and incapacity | Guardianship & Conservatorship | 2010 |
Family Law: Parental and Guardian Rights | Parental Rights and Guardianships | 2010 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Adoption of Rory | The deprivation of counsel for father rendered the judgment terminating his rights void. |
Adoption of Parker | Appeals Court vacated termination decrees, holding that mother's due process rights were violated, as the procedure deprived her of the right to be heard in a meaningful manner. |
Howe v. Tarvezian, 73 Mass. App. Ct. 10(2008) | Successfully briefed and argued for the affirmation of the trial court's judgment and obtained an order of appellate fees. |
Posted by jeri
Tue Feb 02 2010
Beth Nussbaum, Appeals Attorney on Nov 19, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Maria is an extremely dedicated and intellectually rigorous attorney, as well as a very courteous opponent. I endorse this lawyer.
Marcia Mavrides, Divorce and separation Attorney on May 13, 2013
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Maria is a competent, creative lawyer who works in the best interest of her clients I endorse this lawyer.
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