Carmen Santa Maria, Civil Rights Attorney in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Over 39 years of legal practice · focused on Civil Rights, Copyright, and General · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Member
Harrisburg, PA
Practicing civil rights in Harrisburg since 1987.
- 39+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 2
- Bar admissions
Are you Carmen Santa Maria?
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Quick answer
Carmen Santa Maria is a member based in Harrisburg, PA. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Copyright, and General. Carmen has over 39 years of legal experience. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- Harrisburg, PA
- Experience
- over 39 years
- Known for
- Civil Rights · Copyright · General
- Handles Civil Rights, Copyright, and General matters from Harrisburg, PA.
- Over 39 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with BV Distinguished.
About Carmen Santa Maria: Carmen Santa Maria is a member based in Harrisburg, PA. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Copyright, and General. Carmen has over 39 years of legal experience. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Carmen's practice areas in Harrisburg
Carmen concentrates on civil rights, copyright, general, ip, and ip licensing. Each area below outlines the kind of case Carmen handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Civil Rights
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Copyright
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General
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IP
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IP Licensing
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Patent
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Trademark
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Civil Rights cases in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Carmen takes civil rights matters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Carmen agrees to represent you.
Copyright cases in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Carmen takes copyright matters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Carmen agrees to represent you.
General cases in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Carmen takes general matters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Carmen agrees to represent you.
IP cases in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Carmen takes ip matters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Carmen agrees to represent you.
IP Licensing cases in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Carmen takes ip licensing matters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Carmen agrees to represent you.
Biography
Carmen Santa Maria, civil rights attorney serving Harrisburg
Carmen Santa Maria is a member based in Harrisburg, PA. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Copyright, and General. Carmen has over 39 years of legal experience. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review. Carmen works from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and takes on civil rights matters across the region.
Carmen Santa Maria is a lawyer practicing intellectual property licensing, patent prosecution, proprietary rights and 4 other areas of law. Carmen received a B.S. degree from University of Notre Dame in 1972, and has been licensed for 39 years. Carmen practices in Harrisburg, PA.
Working with Carmen on a civil rights matter
Carmen Santa Maria is a lawyer practicing intellectual property licensing, patent prosecution, proprietary rights and 4 other areas of law. Carmen received a B.S. degree from University of Notre Dame in 1972, and has been licensed for 39 years. Carmen practices in Harrisburg, PA.
Clients Carmen works with
Carmen reviews new inquiries case-by-case for civil rights, copyright, and general matters in Harrisburg and the surrounding Pennsylvania area.
Credentials
Credentials — where Carmen studied and practices
Duquesne University School of Law
J.D. · 1987
University of Notre Dame
B.S. University · 1972
Jurisdictions
Carmen's state bar admissions
U.S. Supreme Court r
2002 · ACTIVE
Pennsylvania
1987 · ACTIVE
Carmen studied at J.D. in Duquesne University School of Law and B.S. University in University of Notre Dame.
Law school and academic background
Carmen completed J.D. in Duquesne University School of Law and B.S. University in University of Notre Dame. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Carmen runs in Pennsylvania is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Carmen's legal honors and published work
Carmen has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
BV Distinguished
Legal awards and honors
BV Distinguished.
Affiliations
Carmen's professional memberships and bar associations
Pennsylvania Bar Association (Chair-Elect, Intellectual Property Law Section) American Intellectual Property Law Association
membership
Locations
Carmen Santa Maria's office in Harrisburg
Carmen's primary office is at 1 Unknown, Harrisburg, PA, 17108-1166. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Carmen Santa Maria — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Carmen. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing civil rights attorneys in Harrisburg.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Carmen Santa Maria claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Carmen Santa Maria — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new civil rights attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Carmen usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Carmen charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Carmen's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Carmen will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a civil rights attorney in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
A short list to run through before you commit: How many civil rights matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Carmen
Carmen discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in civil rights practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every civil rights matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Carmen confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Carmen's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many civil rights practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Carmen Santa Maria
How much does it cost to hire Carmen for a civil rights case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Carmen walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Carmen offer a free consultation?
Carmen charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Carmen's office. Some civil rights attorneys offer free consults — check Carmen's current terms during booking.
How long do civil rights cases in Pennsylvania typically take?
Simple civil rights matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Carmen gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Carmen take my case if I'm outside Harrisburg?
Carmen is licensed in Pennsylvania. Matters governed by Pennsylvania law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Carmen will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Carmen?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Carmen will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Carmen accepting new civil rights clients right now?
Carmen's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Civil Rights attorneys serving Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania
Carmen handles civil rights matters throughout Pennsylvania. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified civil rights attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated civil rights attorneys in Pennsylvania
If Carmen's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these civil rights attorneys in Harrisburg handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.

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