Marian Zapata-Rossa, Partner at our Phoenix law office
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Marian Zapata-Rossa

Partner
Biography

Marian Zapata-Rossa is licensed in Arizona, California, and on the Navajo Nation. She defends employers against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims, and represents employers in disputes involving employment agreements, restrictive covenants, and non-compete agreements. Marian litigates both single plaintiff and class action employment lawsuits, including wage and hour, and prevailing wage claims, 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 and support diversity and inclusion. To this end, Marian conducts workplace investigations, including under Title VII, Title IX, and various whistleblower statutes. She has also trained thousands of managers and employees on preventing harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in the workplace.

In addition, Marian 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, terminations, and whistleblower liability. Marian routinely 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.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Navajo Nation


Court Admissions

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


Education

  • Howard University School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
    • 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
  • The Ohio State University (B.A., cum laude)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

Previous Professional Experience

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

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)
  • American Bar Association
  • Hispanic National Bar Association
  • National Employment Law Council (NELC)

Community Involvement

  • Los Abogados Foundation, Board of Directors
    • President
  • Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
  • Latina Mentoring Project (LMP), Mentor Attorney (2009-Present)
  • Xico, Inc, Board of Directors (Past)
    • Vice President (Past)
  • Volunteer Lawyers Program, Volunteer Attorney
  • Wills for Heroes
  • A Day for Downtown, Volunteer

Representative Presentations and Publications