Maria Caroline Hazel is an associate at the Long Beach office of Kelly, Trotter & Franzen, where she focuses her practice primarily on medical malpractice defense.

Mrs. Hazel graduated from the Catholic University of Southern Brazil, earning a bachelor’s degree in Law. She interned at the Brazilian Federal Court of Appeals of the 4th District. After graduating, she moved to the United States to learn English and explore new opportunities. Mrs. Hazel worked in the legal department of the Brazilian Consulate for five years before deciding to attend Law School. She attended Southwestern Law School while working at the Brazilian Consulate and interned at an AV-rated national firm.

After graduating from Southwestern Law School, Mrs. Hazel worked in several plaintiff personal injury firms before switching to the defense side. Her initial exposure to the plaintiff’s side enabled her to understand the dynamics of the plaintiff’s practice of Law. Before joining Kelly, Trotter & Franzen, Mrs. Hazel worked in an Orange County firm, assisting self-insured businesses with handling and resolving personal injury claims.

Mrs. Hazel enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time at the beach in her spare time. She also works pro bono consulting on immigration matters.