Maria Charles McGuinness, an attorney in KHL Law's Miami office, is a litigator with extensive experience and a diverse practice focused on complex commercial disputes involving breaches of contract, fraud, construction litigation, surety bonds, insurance disputes and title insurance.

Prior to joining KHL Law, for over 17 years Maria served as a career judicial law clerk to former Chief United States Magistrate John J. O'Sullivan in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. She assisted the Court in a variety of civil cases including high profile and consent cases involving civil and constitutional rights, contracts, copyright and trademark infringement, employment disputes, and equitable relief claims.

Prior to her clerkship, Maria spent 14 years in private practice. As a shareholder in the Miami office of a national law firm, she concentrated her practice in commercial litigation including appeals. She successfully represented individuals, businesses, contractors, subcontractors, property owners, insureds, insurance companies and surety/bonding companies in state and federal trial and appellate courts in Florida. She also defended clients in actions involving aviation, medical malpractice and products liability.

Maria advocates, both professionally and personally, with integrity, passion and purpose. Her extensive judicial clerkship provides her with a unique understanding of judicial decision-making, an inimitable skill that helps her formulate a strategy to achieve her clients' goals.

Maria earned her J.D., with honors, from Florida State University College of Law in 1990, where she served on the Executive Board of the Journal of Land Use and Environmental Law. She received her undergraduate degree from Wofford College in 1986, magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is admitted to practice in Florida state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Maria is "AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated" by Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of the Miami-Dade County Bar Association, as well as the Appellate Section and the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar. Maria has authored, co-authored, published and/or presented numerous articles, chapters and papers on various topics including construction, suretyship, fidelity, insurance and arbitration.

Maria is a South Florida native who is very active in her community. She currently serves in leadership roles and as a catechist in her church. Maria is an advocate in the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Miami. Additionally, as a volunteer co-leader of a resident-created group, she educates and motivates residents to engage civically. This group has achieved key outcomes, including the municipality's adoption of comprehensive plan amendments and zoning regulation amendments that protect and preserve her community's character and quality of life.