Meet Maria Pavlatos Finding the Right Fit in Personal Injury Law
University, she studied finance and business management and loaded her schedule with pre-law classes. She also served as vice president of recruitment in her sorority, which meant planning events, organizing, and working with a lot of people. From there, she went on to St. John’s University School of Law. She interned at a personal injury and mass torts firm and later served as a judicial intern for the administrative judge of Nassau County. That role gave her a close look at everything from Child Victims Act cases to bail reform and medical malpractice, and showed her how big decisions get made. After law school, Maria spent four years in insurance defense. She represented insurance companies in personal injury lawsuits. That work provided a solid start to her career. As she describes it, “I gained firsthand
experience into how insurance companies evaluate claims and defend lawsuits. Now, I use that knowledge to advocate for individuals who have been hurt.” Over time, Maria wanted more contact with the people behind the files. When the chance came to join Cellino Law, she was ready. She liked the firm’s focus on injured clients and the way the team works together and knew it was the right fit. Looking ahead, she’s excited to continue helping people while gaining more trial experience and learning from the team around her. One of the biggest changes for her has been what happens when a case ends. Instead of just settling a case and moving to the next file, clients often reach out afterward and let her know a result changed their life. Maria says that feeling never gets old, and it reminds her of why she chose this path in the first place.
Growing up on Long Island, Maria Pavlatos spent a lot of time at her family’s diners. Regulars came in with the same orders and stories, and she watched how her parents treated each one. “I grew up in diners,” she says. Being around people all day taught her how to listen, how to read a room, and how to make someone feel cared for. Those skills still influence the way she practices law today. Maria knew early on that she wanted to be a lawyer. In high school, she worked as a file clerk at a personal injury firm and got her first look at real cases. At Hofstra
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