Maria Van Buren, J.D
Maria Van Buren, J.D.
Senior Counsel
maria@elvilleassociates.com
Phone: 443-393-7696 x121
Facsimile: 443-393-7697
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Maria Van Buren serves as Senior Counsel with Elville and Associates, P.C., bringing more than two decades of distinguished federal legal experience to her work in Estate Planning, Elder Law, Special Needs Planning, and Estate and Trust Administration. Known for her intelligence, composure, and commitment to public service, Maria combines her deep understanding of law and policy with a compassionate approach that helps clients make thoughtful, informed decisions about their futures.
Prior to joining Elville and Associates in 2025, Maria held multiple leadership roles with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of the Solicitor in Washington, D.C., where she advised on the administration and enforcement of major federal laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). As Counsel and Senior Attorney, she provided strategic legal oversight for nationwide enforcement initiatives, including the Department's 2023–2024 Child Labor Initiative and key regulatory changes addressing the compensation of tipped employees. Her earlier service as Acting Deputy Ombudsman and Special Assistant to the Solicitor further demonstrates her ability to manage complex legal, policy, and communications challenges at the highest levels of government.
Maria's excellence in public service has been widely recognized, including her receipt of the Solicitor of Labor's Marta Kusic Award for Excellence in Client Counseling in 2020 — one of the Department's most prestigious honors. In 2025, she was selected as a Law and Policy Fellow at Northeastern University, contributing to academic dialogue on the intersection of law, government, and social impact.
Reflecting on her transition to private practice, Maria shares...
After practicing law on a national level for many years, I am thrilled to refocus my work to serve my local community. I believe that a lawyer has an obligation to make the law accessible to everyone, and that access is particularly important in the areas of special needs planning, elder law, guardianships, and general estate planning and administration. I hope to have the opportunity to help many families better understand the law in these areas and successfully meet their planning goals.
Maria earned her Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from Boston College. She is admitted to practice in Maryland, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Fourth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits.
With a career grounded in integrity and service, Maria brings a wealth of experience and a personal touch to every client relationship. Her focus remains on helping families plan for the future with confidence, compassion, and clarity.
