Maria E. Garcia was sworn in as a U.S. Magistrate Judge on June 13, 2022.

Judge Garcia, although born in the United States, was raised in between Miami and Venezuela. She attended Tufts University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. In 2007, she received her law degree from the George Washington University School of Law.

Following her graduation from law school, Judge Garcia joined Pullman & Comley as an associate in the firm’s Bridgeport Office where she practiced civil litigation in state and federal courts. She also led an effort to jumpstart the firm's first diversity and inclusion initiative. Judge Garcia clerked for the Honorable Holly B. Fitzsimmons, U.S.M.J. of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, whose seat she now occupies. She also clerked for the late Honorable Warren W. Eginton.

After her clerkships, Judge Garcia practiced labor and employment at Mitchell & Sheahan, P.C., a boutique labor and employment law firm. She also worked with Attorney Lewis Chimes litigating discrimination, retaliation, and civil rights cases on behalf of individuals.

In 2018, Judge Garcia founded her solo practice MGQ Law, LLC, where she represented individuals and employers throughout Connecticut in all aspects of employment litigation, negotiations, and advice. Judge Garcia also conducted internal investigations for public and private sector clients.

Judge Garcia has long been an active member of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association (past-president), Raymond Baldwin Inn of Court, Connecticut Bar Association, and Connecticut Employment Lawyer’s Association.