Maria Ann Milano
Principal
Maria joined Riddell Williams in 1998 and is a member of the firm's Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights, Corporate Transactions and Finance, and Litigation practice groups.
While in law school, Maria was the recipient of numerous academic awards and of a Washington State Bar Academic Scholarship, the Dean’s Diversity Scholarship (1996-1997) and the Byron D. Scott Memorial Scholarship (1997-1999). She was also a member of the Law Review.
Maria’s practice includes business advising and litigation. She represents a variety of companies in traditional business and lending transactions. She also represents creditors in bankruptcy.
Education and Admissions
Maria received her B.A. from Central University in 1996 and her J.D., summa cum laude, from the Seattle University School of Law, in 1999. She is admitted to practice in Washington, the Eastern and Western District Courts in Washington, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Memberships
American Bar Association (including Business Law Section and Commercial Finance and UCC Committees) and Washington State Bar Association
Professional and Community Activities
Maria presently serves on the Board of Directors of King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC). Maria also serves as a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (“CASA”) for abused and neglected children through the King County Juvenile Courts, and served four years as a Board Member for New Beginnings, an agency providing shelter and advocacy for battered women and their children.
She has served as an adjunct professor at Seattle University School of Law teaching UCC Sales and Secured Transactions. She is also a regular speaker at CLE’s and presents on secured lending and bankruptcy topics.
Awards and Recognition
Maria has been named a “Rising Star®” by Washington Law & Politics magazine. Maria has received annual Pro Bono Publico Commendations from the Washington State Bar. Maria also received the 2008 Dependency CASA of the Year Award.
Publications
“Commercial Real Estate Financing: The Borrower’s Perspective,” ALI-ABA, The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, July 2009.
“Using Real Estate Financing Commitment Letters to the Borrower's Advantage,” ABA, GP/Solo Law Trends and News, Fall 2008, Vol. 5, No. 1.
“Does a Prior Bankruptcy Bar Your Claim?” King County Bar Bulletin, February 2008.
ABA, Business Law Section, UCC and CFS Newsletter, co-editor (2006-2008).
Sisters-in-Law Book Review, ABA Business Law Today Magazine (July/August 2005).
“Bankruptcy Basics-What Every Credit Union Employee Should Know,” Focus, a publication of the Washington State Credit Union League and Affiliates (December 2004).
“Collection Costs Upon Default,” Focus Online, a publication of the Washington Credit Union League and Affiliates (August 13, 2003).
“Are Some Lenders Watching 'The Sopranos’? The Debut of Phantom Interest,” American Bar Association Commercial Law Newsletter (March 2002).
“Rumors of Deprizios Death Were Not Greatly Exaggerated,” (in the Ninth Circuit), American Bar Association Commercial Law Newsletter (March 2001).
