Maria S. Hossain is Of Counsel with the firm and primarily focuses her practice in the area of employment law.
As a senior attorney in the Human Resources, Employment Litigation and Community Corrections unit of the Florida Department of Corrections from 2014 to 2025, most recently serving as its Chief Legal Counsel, she was tasked with ensuring that potential discipline for 24,000 employees was legally sufficient, including ensuring compliance with just cause standards and ensuring equal treatment to reduce any potential exposure to discrimination and retaliation claims.
She also responded to discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, sexual harassment, and whistle blower claims submitted by employees to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. She zealously litigated in administrative proceedings, including in front of the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission and the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, and arbitrations pursuant to grievance rights under a collective bargaining agreement. She also oversaw accommodation requests pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, as well as for religious reasons. She regularly provided legal advice to the executive leadership team regarding payroll, recruitment, and various other Human Resources issues.
This experience gives Maria unique insight into employee discipline, accommodations, complaints and other employment issues that business owners face each day.
In addition to defending employers in employment litigation, including discrimination and retaliation cases, she also specializes in Human Resources compliance, by drafting employee handbooks and procedures. She is always available to clients to provide comprehensive answers to all of their Human Resources questions.
Education
- Florida State University College of Law, Juris Doctorate, 2012
- Washington University, St. Louis Missouri, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, 2009
Bar Admissions
- Member of The Florida Bar (2012)
- Northern District of Florida
- Middle District of Florida
- Southern District of Florida
- Florida Bar Labor & Employment Law Section – Member
- Tallahassee Bar Association – Member
- SCG Legal Annual Meeting – 2025
- Florida Department of Corrections Annual Leadership Summit 2025 – Presentation to Leadership regarding Americans with Disabilities, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and Religious Accommodations
- Florida Department of Corrections Annual Leadership Summit 2024 – Presentation to Leadership regarding Americans with Disabilities, Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and Religious Accommodations