Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to announce Maria S. Bellafronto joined the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group as a partner in the firm’s San Jose office.
Bellafronto helps clients navigate real estate and commercial disputes, developing proactive, value-maximizing strategies for a wide range of complex matters. Well established in her litigation methods, she boasts nearly 30 years of experience in jury and bench trials across federal and state courts, continually sharpening her courtroom litigation skills while solidifying her track record of favorable outcomes.
Within her expansive practice, Bellafronto regularly represents property owners and developers as well as buyers and sellers in commercial disputes involving purchase and sale transactions, real estate investment fraud, and commercial landlord-tenant disputes. She also has extensive experience representing clients in federal securities fraud litigation. Additionally, she serves as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Santa Clara County Superior Court and is an adjunct professor for a Real Property Law course at Santa Clara University.
“Maria brings decades of experience advising on complex matters, with a niche for customizing optimal strategies across diverse industries,” said Karen McCay, Office Managing Partner for Spencer Fane in San Jose. “She will be a valuable addition to the San Jose office and the broader litigation and dispute resolution practice, exemplifying how consistently calibrating established processes generates successful outcomes.”
Bellafronto received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis, and earned her Juris Doctor at Santa Clara University. During law school, she honed her investigative skills as a private detective. Following, Bellafronto worked as an associate for insurance fraud claims and as in-house counsel for a national insurance group, gaining a breadth of experience that has led to her current robust litigation and dispute resolution practice. Prior to joining Spencer Fane, she spent seven years as co-chair of her previous firm’s litigation department.
Heavily involved in organizations spanning charitable, cultural, and legal initiatives, Bellafronto has co-founded two San Jose-based nonprofits that assist low-income girls and families – ThirtyOne Women and Graceful Giving – and is an active member of numerous boards and associations.
