Maria Van Buren, J.D
Maria Van Buren, J.D.
Senior Counsel
Estate Planning, Elder Law, Beneficiary Representation, Guardianship, Special Needs Planning, Medicaid Planning, Real Estate, Litigation
maria@elvilleassociates.com
Phone: 443-393-7696 x121
Facsimile: 443-393-7697
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Maria Van Buren, J.D., is Senior Counsel with Elville and Associates, P.C., where she practices in the areas of estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, Medicaid planning, and beneficiary representation. She joined the firm in 2025 following more than two decades of legal and public service experience with the federal government.
Maria is also a VA-accredited attorney, authorized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to represent veterans and their families in matters involving VA benefits. Her work includes helping clients understand eligibility requirements and navigate benefits such as disability compensation and Aid & Attendance pension, as well as assisting with applications, appeals, and related planning.
Before joining Elville and Associates, Maria held several leadership positions with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of the Solicitor in Washington, D.C. As Counsel and Senior Attorney, she advised on the administration and enforcement of federal laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Her work included providing legal guidance on nationwide enforcement initiatives and regulatory matters.
Maria also served as Acting Deputy Ombudsman and Special Assistant to the Solicitor during her career with the Department of Labor. In 2020, she received the Solicitor of Labor's Marta Kusic Award for Excellence in Client Counseling. In 2025, she was selected as a Law and Policy Fellow at Northeastern University.
After many years working on legal issues at the national level, Maria welcomed the opportunity to bring her experience closer to home and work directly with individuals and families.
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, D.C., and Massachusetts, as well as before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Fourth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits.
At Elville and Associates, Maria draws on her years of experience interpreting and explaining complex areas of law to help clients understand their options and make decisions that are right for their circumstances. She believes strongly in making the law understandable and accessible and brings that philosophy to each client relationship.
