Maria and her family

A native from Veracruz, Mexico, Ms. Victoria received her bachelor‘s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Washington. She subsequently earned her Juris Doctorate degree from that same institution.

Ms. Victoria‘s collections of short stories and illustrated children‘s books, have been the recipients of the James W. Hall for Fiction award from the University of Washington and the Jimmy Knudsen Memorial award from Pacific Lutheran University. Ms. Victoria has been a writer in residence twice of the prestigious institution, Hedgebrook, a non-profit foundation in Langley, Washington. Ms. Victoria‘s first novel, “Les Dejo el Mar” (Ediciones B, 2005) was a finalist for the Mariposa Book Award (best first Spanish novel) and took third place as the best overall Historical Novel.

Maria in Spain

EDUCATION

• May, 1992 | University of Washington School of Law
  Juris Doctorate
• May, 1989 | University of Washington
  B.A. English Literature and Creative Writing

EXPERIENCE

• 2002 - Present | Published Author
  Bilingual Fiction Writer
• 2002 - Present | Mediator
  Certified Mediator
• 2001 - 2002 | University of Washington School of Law
  Director, Child Advocacy Clinic
• 1999 - 2001 | University of Washington School of Law
  Supervising Attorney, Child Advocacy Clinic
• 1997 - 1998 | King County Public Defenders
  Staff Attorney
• 1996 - 1997 | Office of Maria Victoria
  Attorney, Private Practice
• 1992 - 1996 | King County Public Defenders
  Staff Attorney

PUBLICATION

• 2005 | Les Dejo El Mar (Ediciones B)

LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS

• Les Dejo El Mar (Ediciones B, 2005)
  Presentations and Readings: Seattle Public Library; Feria Internacional de Guadalajara; Veracruz, México; Issaquah Public Library, Columbia Tower, Rainbow Book Fest, Elliot Bay Book Store.
  
  
• "Overcoming Cultural Diversity Barriers in Dependency Proceedings"
  Facilitator, Reasonable Efforts Symposium.
  
  
• "Ethical Considerations in Representing what the children want and not what is in their best interest"
  Presenter, University of Washington School of Law.
  
  
• "Joey doesn't get it: Advocating for Special Education for your grandchild"
  Presenter, CLE on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Symposium.
  
  
• "The Becca Bill: Why the cure is worse than the disease"
  Presenter, Columbia Legal Services and Children Allegiance Center for the state of Washington.
  
  
• "Wearing too many hats: understanding the attorney's many roles in dependency proceedings"
  Presenter, University of Washington School of Social Work.

OTHER

• Numerous presentations: Teamchild. King County Public Defenders, Proyecto Saber, El Centro de la Raza, The Rotary Club, Bellevue Spanish Immersion Program, O’Ryan Center.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Mujeres NW | Founder and President Elect
• Hedgebrook | Alumni, Resident Writer
• Richard Hugo House | Member
• PNWA | Member
• Centro LatinoAmericano de Cultura | Member
• Mujer Entre Letras | Founder
• Almas Liricas | Founder
• Los Nortenos | Member
• Washington State Hispanic Bar | Member
• Washington State Bar | Member
• King County Mediation Program | Member, Volunteer Mediator

AWARDS

• Latino Book Award, finalist, Mariposa Book Award, Best Spanish first novel
• Latino Book Award, third place, Best Overall Spanish Historical Novel,
• University of Washington, James W. Hall for Fiction
• Pacific Lutheran Organization, Jimmy Knudsen Memorialship Award