Mara D. Afzali

Mara D. Afzali is a member at Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC in Albany, New York, where she represents public- and private-sector clients in civil litigation. Her practice includes business and commercial disputes, employment litigation, civil rights claims, and matters involving health care and long term care facilities. Mara advocates for clients in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings, hearings, trials, motion practice, and appeals. She also advises organizations on litigation prevention, risk mitigation, and practical dispute resolution strategies.

Mara earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from Albany Law School in 2017 and her B.A., summa cum laude, from Siena College in 2014. During law school, she served as a judicial intern for U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino and received several advocacy and academic honors. She was inducted into the National Order of the Barristers and won both trial and appellate advocacy competitions. Her legal education strengthened her skills in evidence, oral advocacy, legal analysis, negotiation, and courtroom preparation.

Mara has successfully argued for clients through motions, hearings, trials, administrative proceedings, and appeals. She handles commercial conflicts and defends employers against allegations involving discrimination, retaliation, and civil rights violations. She also represents health care and long term care providers in regulatory, administrative, and legal matters. Before entering the legal profession, Mara spent more than a decade working at an alternative elementary school, an experience that helped shape her collaborative approach to negotiation, mediation, conflict resolution, and client problem solving.

Mara D. Afzali serves as a Captain in the United States Army Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps. She has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for commercial litigation and as a New York Super Lawyers Rising Star in civil litigation defense. Her professional involvement includes bar association service, continuing legal education committee work, legal aid volunteering, and support for law students. Mara combines litigation experience, practical judgment, and a problem-solving approach to help clients manage risk and resolve complex disputes.

Law Office Affiliations

• Member, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC
• Member, Albany County Bar Association
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Member, Capital District Women’s Bar Association
• Member, Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association, CLE Committee

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• Albany Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Siena College
  BA with Summa Cum Laude

Awards & Badges