Above all else, Mariah views herself as a problem-solver. She utilizes a holistic approach to tailor her advice and strategy to each issue or case according to the client's unique needs and goals. Through her expertise and intellectual curiosity, she has emerged as a trusted advisor and advocate across diverse industries, guiding clients effectively at every stage of representation.
As a member of Belin McCormick's Litigation group, Mariah provides comprehensive legal representation through every stage of litigation, from initial pre-suit investigations to appeals. Whether representing employers, individuals, or businesses, she approaches each case with unwavering commitment and strategic focus. Her experience spans a variety of disputes, including breach of contract cases, will and trust contests, wrongful termination claims, and complex business litigation. Mariah has also guided clients through divorce, child custody disputes, and adoptions. Beyond courtroom advocacy, Mariah's expertise extends to mediation and similar negotiation processes, successfully helping clients achieve favorable settlements outside of court. She recognizes that every case is unique and strategically pursues the approach—whether collaborative resolution or trial—that will most effectively protect each client’s rights and interests.
Mariah is dedicated to providing clients with comprehensive legal representation, risk management advice, and strategic guidance as they navigate labor and employment matters. In her labor and employment law practice, Mariah regularly assists clients in several employee relations issues, including maintaining compliance with employment regulations, advising on discipline and discharge decisions, conducting workplace trainings, investigating workplace complaints, and drafting and enforcing company policies, handbooks, and contracts. Mariah has also played a pivotal role in defending employers in cases involving allegations of wage and hour violations, retaliation, discrimination, harassment, constructive discharge, and wrongful termination. Additionally, Mariah routinely represents clients in responding to Department of Labor investigations and civil rights complaints before Iowa's Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
A growing portion of Mariah’s practice is devoted to immigration and employment compliance. She guides clients through I-9 audits and ICE site visits, conducts internal I-9 audits for companies to ensure compliance, provides I-9 compliance training, and helps organizations proactively prepare for enforcement actions. Mariah also advises on immigration strategy and prepares PERM applications, working closely with corporate executives and HR professionals to achieve successful outcomes.
Before joining Belin McCormick, Mariah clerked for the Honorable Justice Thomas Waterman of the Iowa Supreme Court. She earned her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, where she was a member of the Jenner & Block Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic. Through her clinic work, she gained extensive appellate experience by drafting certiorari petitions, merits and amicus briefs, and helping secure a successful direct appeal before the Seventh Circuit. As Executive Comments Editor of the University of Chicago Legal Forum, she supervised the professional development of student writers and provided substantive legal feedback on their work.
Personal
Mariah is proud to be a lifelong Midwesterner. Mariah grew up in the small town of Reading, Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with summa cum laude honors, completing her undergraduate degree in two years. After living in Minneapolis for undergrad and Chicago for law school, Mariah moved to work and live in Des Moines because she found it to be the perfect balance of the lifestyles she enjoyed in those cities and in her small hometown (after all, she can still drive by a cornfield and see deer and turkeys on her way to work!). In her free time, you can find Mariah reading, hunting, cheering on the Vikings, and spoiling her French bulldogs.
Honors and Accomplishments
Graduate, Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute (2024-2025)
Young Lawyers Division Award of Merit Recipient, Iowa State Bar Association (2023)
Community & Professional Activities
American Bar Association – Member; Litigation News Contributing Editor (former)
Iowa State Bar Association – Member
Young Lawyers Division – Member, Executive Council (2022-2025)
YLD Community Engagement and Recruitment Committee – Co-Chair (2022-2025)
Polk County Bar Association – Member
Publications & Presentations:
Presenter, Employment-Based Immigration Sponsorship and Workplace Compliance Under Trump 2.0 (August 2025)
Panelist, “Iowa’s New Civil Rights Act and the Impact on Transgender Protections: Perspectives from Plaintiff, Defense, and In-House Counsel,” Iowa State Bar Association Annual Meeting (June 2025)
Presenter, "What is the Federal Government Up to? Understanding the New PWFA, DOL, and FTC Regulations," (October 2024)
Feeback v. Swift Pork Co. – Providing Parity in Iowa Employment Law, 83 The Iowa Lawyer 12 (October 2023)
Presenter, "Unemployment Cases, Hearings, New Regulations," September 2023
Bad Settlement Advice Triggers Malpractice Claim, Litigation News, ABA Litigation Section (September 2023)
Lawyers Have Duty to Protect Client Contacts in Smartphones, Litigation News, ABA Litigation Section (September 2022)
Presenter, "Internet – Friend and Foe (Litigating with Social Media and e-Discovery)," September 2022
Presenter, “Governments change. The lies stay the same. – James Bond (A Caselaw Update),” September 2021
Interpreting "Use" of a Minor in § 3B1.4, 2018 U. Chi. Legal F. 365