MariaPapasevastos
Partner
Labor & Employment
mpapasevastos@seyfarth.com
More About Maria
Maria represents employers in all areas of employment law, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour matters, and has experience working on both single plaintiff and class action litigation. Maria also counsels clients on employee policy and procedure development, as well as federal, state, and local employment law compliance.
Maria is an experienced trial attorney, and has successfully litigated trials to verdict on claims including discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation. Recently, after a four-day jury trial in the Eastern District of New York, she won a complete defense victory for a national retailer in a pregnancy discrimination case.
In addition to her employment law practice, Maria has significant experience representing developers, institutions and nonprofit organizations in a variety of New York City land use and zoning matters, including variances, special permits, designations and alterations of landmarked buildings, and air rights transactions. Her work in this area also includes representing clients in proceedings before the New York City Planning Commission, Board of Standards and Appeals and Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Maria joined the firm initially as part of the Labor & Employment Department’s Fellowship program, an innovative training-focused program for law students with an affinity for labor and employment law. While in law school, Maria also served as a legal intern for the Honorable Joanna Seybert, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Maria is an experienced trial attorney, and has successfully litigated trials to verdict on claims including discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation. Recently, after a four-day jury trial in the Eastern District of New York, she won a complete defense victory for a national retailer in a pregnancy discrimination case.
In addition to her employment law practice, Maria has significant experience representing developers, institutions and nonprofit organizations in a variety of New York City land use and zoning matters, including variances, special permits, designations and alterations of landmarked buildings, and air rights transactions. Her work in this area also includes representing clients in proceedings before the New York City Planning Commission, Board of Standards and Appeals and Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Maria joined the firm initially as part of the Labor & Employment Department’s Fellowship program, an innovative training-focused program for law students with an affinity for labor and employment law. While in law school, Maria also served as a legal intern for the Honorable Joanna Seybert, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
- JD, St. John's University School of Law
Dean's list
Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development articles editor
Frank S. Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute - BA, Binghamton University
Summa cum laude
- New Jersey
- New York
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Dec 10, 2024
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- Co-Author, “Update: Governor Murphy Signs NJ Pay Transparency Legislation,” Legal Update, Seyfath Shaw LLP (December 10, 2024)
- Co-Author, “NJ State Assembly Passes Pay Transparency Legislation,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 30, 2024)
- Co-Author, “Minnesota Enacts Pay Transparency Law to Require Salary Range Disclosure in Job Postings,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 4, 2024)
- Co-Author, “Maryland Amends Pay Transparency Law to Require Wage Range Disclosure in Job Postings,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 16, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Developments in Equal Pay and Equity: Part One," The Practical Lawyer (February 2024)
- Co-Author, "Colorado Adopts Equal Pay Transparency Rules to Clarify Recent Amendments to State’s Equal Pay Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 8, 2023)
- Co-Author, "New York State Pay Transparency in Job Advertisements Law Goes Into Effect and Department of Labor Issues Proposed Regulations," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 29, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Hawaii Enacts Pay Transparency Law and Expands Equal Pay Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 7, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Colorado Amends Equal Pay Law: Modifies Pay Transparency Requirements, Enforcement Mandates and Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Claims," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 14, 2023)
- Co-Author, "New York State Enacts Pay Transparency Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 23, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Washington’s New Pay Transparency Law: The Department of Labor and Industries’ Administrative Policy Is Here," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 6, 2022)
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- Co-Author, "Equal Pay Day 2022: Key Trends in Pay Equity," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2022)
- Co-Author, "NYC to Require Employers to Disclose Salary Ranges," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 20, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Proposed Pay Scale Legislation," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 8, 2021)
- Co-Author, "'It’s Totally Random, Dude' – New Jersey Reveals Reduced, But Multi-Pronged Masking, Distancing, and Other COVID Guidelines," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 27, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Tri-State Alert - Capacities Up, Masks Down, and Lots of Details to Be Worked Out in NY, NJ & CT," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 18, 2021)
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- Co-Author, "New Jersey: Latest COVID-19 Executive Order Adds Stringent Protocols on Essential Businesses and Halts Most Non-Essential Construction," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 9, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus—Part IX: Amendments to New Jersey Leave Laws for COVID-19 Reasons Signed into Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 27, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New Jersey: 'Stay at Home' Order, Anti-Discrimination Law Amendment and 'No Hoarding' Legislation in Response to COVID-19," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 22, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Updated: New Jersey Takes Measures to Ensure Social Distancing and Slow the Spread of COVID-19," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 20, 2020)
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- Co-Author, "New York State Election Law Amended to Allow Employees Up to Three Hours of Paid Time Off to Vote," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 6, 2019)
- Author, “New Pay Equity Law Significantly Amends the LAD,” New Jersey Labor and Employment Law Quarterly Vol. 39, No. 4 (November 2018)
- Co-Author, “Recent Pay Equity Cases Show That Such Cases Are Ill-Suited For Class Treatment,” Pay Equity Issues & Insights Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 29, 2018)
- Co-Author, “More Proposed Pay Changes: Bill To Restrict Employers From Asking About Salary History Introduced to the New York City Council,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 18, 2016)
- Co-Author, “NYCCHR Issues Info Card Regarding Discrimination Based on Gender Identity and Expression,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 6, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Governor Christie Conditionally Vetoes New Jersey’s Pay Equity Bill," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 5, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Significant Changes to New York Laws On Pay Equity, Transgender Protection, and Wage Payments," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 24, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Jersey City Enacts Wage Theft Prevention Ordinance," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 27, 2015)
- Co-Author, "New York Legislature Approves “Fair Pay” Legislation," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 8, 2015)
- Co-Author, “What to Do With an Employee’s Medical Information: Complying with the ADA’s Confidentiality Requirements,” HR Advisor, West Group (September/October 2013)
- Co-Author, ” New Jersey Assembly Advances Gender-Based Pay Equality Bill,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 12, 2013)
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- Co-Presenter, "Pay Transparency in 2023," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 13, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Thinking Clearly: Ithaca and Westchester County Require Pay Transparency In Job Advertisements," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 21, 2022)
- Speaker, Point Two L&E Nation Podcast: Thinking Clearly: NYC Amends Its Pay Transparency Law, Effective Date Now November 1, 2022, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 20, 2022)
- Speaker, Point Two L&E Nation Podcast: Thinking Clearly (NJ Edition): Pay Transparency in Jersey City, New Jersey, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 14, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Equal Pay Day 2022: Key Trends in Pay Equity," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 15, 2022)
- Speaker, Point Two L&E Nation Podcast: Thinking Clearly: New York City’s Push for Pay Transparency, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 16, 2022)
- "New York Employment Law Update 2016: A Look Back and What to Expect in the New Year," Breakfast Briefing, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, New York, NY (January 27, 2016)
More About Maria
Maria represents employers in all areas of employment law, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour matters, and has experience working on both single plaintiff and class action litigation. Maria also counsels clients on employee policy and procedure development, as well as federal, state, and local employment law compliance.
Maria is an experienced trial attorney, and has successfully litigated trials to verdict on claims including discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation. Recently, after a four-day jury trial in the Eastern District of New York, she won a complete defense victory for a national retailer in a pregnancy discrimination case.
In addition to her employment law practice, Maria has significant experience representing developers, institutions and nonprofit organizations in a variety of New York City land use and zoning matters, including variances, special permits, designations and alterations of landmarked buildings, and air rights transactions. Her work in this area also includes representing clients in proceedings before the New York City Planning Commission, Board of Standards and Appeals and Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Maria joined the firm initially as part of the Labor & Employment Department’s Fellowship program, an innovative training-focused program for law students with an affinity for labor and employment law. While in law school, Maria also served as a legal intern for the Honorable Joanna Seybert, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Maria is an experienced trial attorney, and has successfully litigated trials to verdict on claims including discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation. Recently, after a four-day jury trial in the Eastern District of New York, she won a complete defense victory for a national retailer in a pregnancy discrimination case.
In addition to her employment law practice, Maria has significant experience representing developers, institutions and nonprofit organizations in a variety of New York City land use and zoning matters, including variances, special permits, designations and alterations of landmarked buildings, and air rights transactions. Her work in this area also includes representing clients in proceedings before the New York City Planning Commission, Board of Standards and Appeals and Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Maria joined the firm initially as part of the Labor & Employment Department’s Fellowship program, an innovative training-focused program for law students with an affinity for labor and employment law. While in law school, Maria also served as a legal intern for the Honorable Joanna Seybert, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
- JD, St. John's University School of Law
Dean's list
Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development articles editor
Frank S. Polestino Trial Advocacy Institute - BA, Binghamton University
Summa cum laude
- New Jersey
- New York
Related Services
Related Key Industries
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Dec 10, 2024
Update: Governor Murphy Signs NJ Pay Transparency Legislation
-
Legal Update
Oct 30, 2024
NJ State Assembly Passes Pay Transparency Legislation
-
Legal Update
Sep 4, 2024
Minnesota Enacts Pay Transparency Law to Require Salary Range Disclosure in Job Postings
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
- Co-Author, “Update: Governor Murphy Signs NJ Pay Transparency Legislation,” Legal Update, Seyfath Shaw LLP (December 10, 2024)
- Co-Author, “NJ State Assembly Passes Pay Transparency Legislation,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 30, 2024)
- Co-Author, “Minnesota Enacts Pay Transparency Law to Require Salary Range Disclosure in Job Postings,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 4, 2024)
- Co-Author, “Maryland Amends Pay Transparency Law to Require Wage Range Disclosure in Job Postings,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 16, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Developments in Equal Pay and Equity: Part One," The Practical Lawyer (February 2024)
- Co-Author, "Colorado Adopts Equal Pay Transparency Rules to Clarify Recent Amendments to State’s Equal Pay Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 8, 2023)
- Co-Author, "New York State Pay Transparency in Job Advertisements Law Goes Into Effect and Department of Labor Issues Proposed Regulations," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 29, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Hawaii Enacts Pay Transparency Law and Expands Equal Pay Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 7, 2023)
- Co-Author, "Colorado Amends Equal Pay Law: Modifies Pay Transparency Requirements, Enforcement Mandates and Statute of Limitations for Wage Discrimination Claims," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 14, 2023)
- Co-Author, "New York State Enacts Pay Transparency Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 23, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Washington’s New Pay Transparency Law: The Department of Labor and Industries’ Administrative Policy Is Here," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 6, 2022)
- Co-Author, "NYC Amends Pay Transparency Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 13, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Equal Pay Day 2022: Key Trends in Pay Equity," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2022)
- Co-Author, "NYC to Require Employers to Disclose Salary Ranges," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 20, 2022)
- Co-Author, "Massachusetts Proposed Pay Scale Legislation," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 8, 2021)
- Co-Author, "'It’s Totally Random, Dude' – New Jersey Reveals Reduced, But Multi-Pronged Masking, Distancing, and Other COVID Guidelines," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 27, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Tri-State Alert - Capacities Up, Masks Down, and Lots of Details to Be Worked Out in NY, NJ & CT," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 18, 2021)
- Co-Author, "New Jersey Further Limits Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings as COVID-19 Cases Rise," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 19, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New Jersey Implements New COVID-19 Precautions for All Employers and Updated Guidance on Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 2, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New Jersey Lessens COVID-19 Restrictions on Non-Essential Construction Projects and Retail Businesses," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New York State Election Law Reverts Back to Two Hour Paid Time Off Requirement," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 14, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New Jersey: Latest COVID-19 Executive Order Adds Stringent Protocols on Essential Businesses and Halts Most Non-Essential Construction," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 9, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus—Part IX: Amendments to New Jersey Leave Laws for COVID-19 Reasons Signed into Law," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 27, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New Jersey: 'Stay at Home' Order, Anti-Discrimination Law Amendment and 'No Hoarding' Legislation in Response to COVID-19," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 22, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Updated: New Jersey Takes Measures to Ensure Social Distancing and Slow the Spread of COVID-19," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 20, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New Jersey Takes Measures to Ensure Social Distancing and Slow the Spread of COVID-19," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "New York State Election Law Amended to Allow Employees Up to Three Hours of Paid Time Off to Vote," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 6, 2019)
- Author, “New Pay Equity Law Significantly Amends the LAD,” New Jersey Labor and Employment Law Quarterly Vol. 39, No. 4 (November 2018)
- Co-Author, “Recent Pay Equity Cases Show That Such Cases Are Ill-Suited For Class Treatment,” Pay Equity Issues & Insights Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 29, 2018)
- Co-Author, “More Proposed Pay Changes: Bill To Restrict Employers From Asking About Salary History Introduced to the New York City Council,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 18, 2016)
- Co-Author, “NYCCHR Issues Info Card Regarding Discrimination Based on Gender Identity and Expression,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 6, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Governor Christie Conditionally Vetoes New Jersey’s Pay Equity Bill," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 5, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Significant Changes to New York Laws On Pay Equity, Transgender Protection, and Wage Payments," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 24, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Jersey City Enacts Wage Theft Prevention Ordinance," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 27, 2015)
- Co-Author, "New York Legislature Approves “Fair Pay” Legislation," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 8, 2015)
- Co-Author, “What to Do With an Employee’s Medical Information: Complying with the ADA’s Confidentiality Requirements,” HR Advisor, West Group (September/October 2013)
- Co-Author, ” New Jersey Assembly Advances Gender-Based Pay Equality Bill,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 12, 2013)
- Co-Presenter, "New York State and City Employment Law: 2023 Year in Review and What's to Come in 2024," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 28, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "Pay Transparency in 2023," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 13, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Thinking Clearly: Ithaca and Westchester County Require Pay Transparency In Job Advertisements," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 21, 2022)
- Speaker, Point Two L&E Nation Podcast: Thinking Clearly: NYC Amends Its Pay Transparency Law, Effective Date Now November 1, 2022, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 20, 2022)
- Speaker, Point Two L&E Nation Podcast: Thinking Clearly (NJ Edition): Pay Transparency in Jersey City, New Jersey, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 14, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Equal Pay Day 2022: Key Trends in Pay Equity," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 15, 2022)
- Speaker, Point Two L&E Nation Podcast: Thinking Clearly: New York City’s Push for Pay Transparency, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 16, 2022)
- "New York Employment Law Update 2016: A Look Back and What to Expect in the New Year," Breakfast Briefing, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, New York, NY (January 27, 2016)