Marissa R. Benavides
Attorney
Awards and Recognitions
New York Super Lawyers - Rising Stars (2023-2024)
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J.D. from Harvard Law School, with pro bono honors
B.A. in Political Science and International Studies from Yale University, with distinction in the major
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Law Clerk to the Honorable L. Felipe Restrepo
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit -
Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP
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Member of the State Bar of New York and Illinois
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Biography
Marissa Benavides is an attorney in BraunHagey & Borden’s New York office. Her practice focuses on bringing impact litigation in state and federal courts to protect and advance the rights of disadvantaged communities in the United States. Marissa has litigated a range of state and federal cases under Section 1983, Title IX, Title VII, the New York Child Victims Act, the New York Unjust Conviction and Incarceration Act, and the New York City Human Rights Act. She also has represented entities in complex commercial litigation, including major commercial fraud and breach of contract actions.
Marissa clerked for the Hon. L. Felipe Restrepo on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, where she assisted with his first-in-the-nation federal reentry court for individuals who had completed their felony sentences. During law school, Marissa was a student attorney with the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, where she represented indigent clients in housing and domestic disputes.
Prior to law school, Marissa spent extensive time studying advanced Mandarin Chinese at Peking University in Beijing, China and Nanjing University in Nanjing, China.
Personal
Marissa lives in New York, where she can be found indulging in the City’s performing arts and restaurant scenes. In her free time, Marissa enjoys baking, running, reading fiction, and trying to maintain her Spanish and Chinese speaking skills with varying degrees of success.
For more information about Marissa’s representative cases and experience, please contact the firm.