Attorney Profiles

MARIA K. CARUSO grew up in upstate New York and graduated from Syracuse University in 1986. She moved to Baltimore to attend law school at the University of Baltimore. Throughout law school, she clerked for various law firms and government agencies, gaining experience in a variety of areas of the law. While finishing her last semester of law school, Maria began working as a law clerk in the Felony Division of the Office of the Public Defender for Baltimore City. She graduated from the University of Baltimore Law School in May, 1989, and was admitted to the Maryland Bar that same year.

In May 1990, Maria transferred to the Office of the Public Defender for Harford County. After handling hundreds of criminal cases in the District Court, Maria was promoted to Circuit Court work where she defended many types of cases including serious felonies, such as, drug and murder cases In 1997, Maria received an award from the Office of the Public Defender for the Outstanding Assistant Public Defender for Harford County, recognizing her winning jury trial record of not losing a single jury trial. In May, 1999, Maria resigned from the Office of the Public Defender to accept a position with the law office of Schlaich and Thompson. While continuing to handle criminal and traffic matters, she has expanded her private practice to include divorce and custody cases, small business matters, Social Security Disability and MVA hearings. Maria practices in many jurisdictions including Harford, Baltimore and Cecil Counties and Baltimore City.
In addition to the practice of law, Maria has been very involved in other law related activities.

Throughout her legal career, she has been very involved in bar association activities at all levels. Maria was the treasurer of the Young Lawyer's Section of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA); served as Harford County's representative to the Solo and Small Firm Committee of the MSBA; and serves on other local and state bar committees. In 1997, Maria received an Award of Achievement from the American Bar Association for her work with the MSBA. Maria has been appointed to the Inquiry Committee of the Attorney Grievance Commission, which governs the conduct of Maryland lawyers. She is also a member of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney's Association.

Maria lives in Harford County with her husband, Harry, and their three children.