Professional proofreading by graduate of top-10 law school, author and journalist. Reasonable rates and expedited service.

Assists book authors design their book publicity tours and increase visibility for their books. See www.MariaLeonardOlsen.com for more information.

Featured speaker at TEDx CUNY's "Reflections" event. Our daily lives have been altered— from the way we learn, to the way we show love to those dearest to us. As we leap into a better tomorrow, we must not only look back on our collective victories, but also recognize how adversity shapes the road to triumph. The process of introspection is intrinsically painful, long, and arduous, requiring much vigor and perseverance. The true power of reflection, whether occurring during moments of peace or chaos, lies in its ability to facilitate an increase in our individual agency, and thus create lasting change. Join us as we reflect on our pasts to create a more hopeful future. https://www.tedxcuny.com/digital

Middle age blues have an antidote. TEDx speaker, radio talk show co-host, podcaster, women's writing/empowerment coach, mentor, public speaker, author, recovery sponsor and attorney Maria Leonard Olsen has turned age 50 into an igniting point for women. 50 After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life is a blueprint for turning midlife into the most invigorating chapter yet. At a time when women's familial responsibilities usually become less all-consuming, Olsen found a way for women to reclaim their authenticity and discover what truly makes them happy.

As a biracial woman, I was frequently mistaken as the nanny of my lighter-skinned children. Assumptions have not quite caught up with America's melting pot reality. The contemporary American family has changed drastically. Same sex marriage is no longer uncommon. Couples are affirmatively choosing to have one child (a choice that may have elicited sympathy in our parent's generation), or to be child-free. Sperm banks allow women to have their own children without a partner. A mom, a dad and 2.5 children is no longer the norm. Within 30 years, less than half of the U.S. population will be white. Laws prohibiting interracial marriage were banned in 1967 by the Supreme Court, and same-sex marriage is now legal in many states. Cultural shifts and science have allowed the typical American family to no longer resemble the Cleavers of a generation ago. This book is based on hundreds of interviews with families across the country, and illustrates just how the normative paradigm of the American family has changed. From these stories, we can examine the scope of the changes and sometimes ignorant reactions to such changes. This book is designed to raise our collective consciousness about what the contemporary American family has become, and help educators and caring citizens remain aware of and appreciate our evolving society. It is a message of hope and call for inclusion.

Counsel, civil litigation practice, including tax, contract, environmental and administrative law matters.

Speak at schools re diversity and the writing process. Currently working on nonfiction book.

Write for a variety of publications, including The Washington Post and the Washingtonian. Currently under contract for two books.

Becoming Your Best Version is full of tips and inspiration for living your best life. See www.MariaLeonardOlsen.com or subscribe on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6uVx6dyp9zG7Pnxwp1pOO9 or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Co-host and co-producer of the "Inside Out" show on WPFW-FM, 89.3, "Jazz & Justice." Part of a collective on the only radio show on the FM dial in the Washington, D.C., area dedicated to issues of interest to the LGBTQA community. My focus is on diversity, inclusion and how to be an ally to LGBTQA individuals. Past guests on my show have included DC Attorney General Karl Racine (on DC statehood and his office's efforts on behalf of the LGBT community) and The Gay Men's Choir of Washington (on their talent and advocacy). I generally host on the first Tuesday of each month. Shows archived on station site and on iTunes ("WPFW Inside Out").

Civil and criminal law practice

Contributing Writer and Editor. Have had regular columns on volunteerism, interesting people in the readership area, books by local authors and feature articles.

Board member for nonprofit organization. Chaired the annual fundraising gala held at Congressional Country Club. Advocacy on behalf of children with special needs.

Political appointment to the US Department of Justice. Served as Special Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs and the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Policy Development.

Civil litigation attorney at then-Washington DC’s top ten law firms. Practiced commercial litigation for a wide variety of clients. Tax and bankruptcy matters, as well.