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Marian Zapata-Rossa

Marian Zapata-Rossa

Partner| Phoenix

Marian Zapata-Rossa is licensed in Arizona, California, and on the Navajo Nation. She defends employers against wage and hour, prevailing wage, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, and represents employers in disputes involving employment and arbitration agreements and restrictive covenants not to compete. Marian litigates both single plaintiff and class action employment lawsuits, and helps employers resolve administrative matters before numerous state and federal government agencies.

Marian also advises employers on all aspects of the employer-employee relationship with a focus on providing clients with business-oriented solutions to identify and mitigate risk. To this end, Marian has trained thousands of managers and employees on preventing harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in the workplace. She also counsels employers and human resources professionals on best practices for handling day to day employment issues, including hiring, employee discipline, paid sick time, leaves of absence, wage and hour compliance, workplace investigations, terminations, and whistleblower liability. In addition, Marian drafts employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, and keeps her clients abreast of current trends and the latest developments in local, state, and federal employment laws.

Education

  • Howard University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2007)
    • Trustee Merit Scholar
    • Huber I. Brown Trial Advocacy Moot Court Team (Co-Captain)
    • Dean's Fellow
    • Law Clerk for Administrative Judge Gladys O. Collazo at the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (2004-2005)
  • The Ohio State University (B.A., cum laude, 2002)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • State Bar of Arizona
    • Bar Leadership Institute Class IV
    • Minority Bar Convention, Co-Chair (2010)
  • Los Abogados Bar Association
    • Board Member (2017)
    • Vice President (2012-2013)
    • Treasurer (2010-2012)
  • Maricopa County Bar Association
    • Young Lawyers Division Board Liaison (2009)
  • American Bar Association
  • Hispanic National Bar Association
  • National Employment Law Council (NELC)

Representative Presentations and Publications

  • "Let’s Get Out of the Weeds; Understanding Arizona’s Medical Marijuana Laws," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (February 27, 2019)
  • "Sexual Harassment Law in the #MeToo Era," Co-Presenter, Employment Law Tool Kit Seminar, Snell & Wilmer, Costa Mesa, CA (November 7, 2018)
  • "How the #MeToo Movement Has Shifted the Legal Landscape and What Businesses Are Doing About It," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Workplace Word (October 12, 2018) 
  • "Top 10 Labor & Employment Updates for In-House Counsel In-the-Know," Presenter, Last Chance CLE Opportunity, Snell & Wilmer, Phoenix, AZ (June 2018)
  • "Religion and the Workplace: Navigating the Issues for Employers and Employees," Presenter, State Bar of Arizona Annual Convention 2018, Chandler, AZ (June 28, 2018)
  • “Point72 Complaint Ignites Discussion on Relevant Fact in Hostile Environment Lawsuit,” Quoted, The Hedge Fund Law Report, (March 22, 2018)
  • "#MeToo Sexual Harassment and Arizona’s Paid Sick Time Law," Co-Presenter, Labor & Employment Law Update, Snell & Wilmer, Phoenix, AZ (March 2018)

Professional Recognition and Awards

Community Involvement

  • Latina Mentoring Project (LMP), Mentor Attorney (2009-2018)
  • Xico, Inc.
    • Board of Directors, Vice President
  • A Day for Downtown, Volunteer
  • Volunteer Lawyers Program, Volunteer Attorney
  • Wills for Heroes

Other Professional Experience

  • Quarles & Brady LLP, Partner
  • U.S. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellow

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Navajo Nation

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • Supreme Court of California
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona
  • United States District Court, Central District of California
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of California
  • Tribal Courts of the Navajo Nation