Maria Hughes

Maria Hughes has been representing clients in workplace disputes for more than 30 years. During her career, she has helped West Virginia employees address many forms of wrongful conduct in the workplace, including: unlawful discrimination based on age, race, pregnancy, and disability; unlawful retaliation based on whistleblowing or workers compensation; failure to accommodate disabilities; failure to provide family medical leave; unlawful retaliatory discharge; and sexual harassment. Maria has successfully tried cases before juries in state and federal courts in West Virginia, and she has also litigated matters before the EEOC and the West Virginia Human Rights Commission. She has also defended employers, giving her a unique perspective that allows her to anticipate the arguments of the other side.

Prior to joining the Bailess Law Firm PLLC as Of Counsel, Maria was a founding member of Hughes & Goldner, PLLC.

Outside of practicing law, Maria enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and spending time with her dogs.

EDUCATION:

• J.D., West Virginia University College of Law
• West Virginia Law Review, Editor National Coal Issue
• Order of the Coif
• Recipient Patrick Duffy Koontz Award

B.S., Accounting, West Virginia University

• Magna Cum Laude-Member, Beta Alpha Psi

LICENSES:

• West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia