Early Life
Maria Tu was born in Taiwan. When she was 9 years old, Maria’s parents decided to seek a better life in the U.S. They told Maria that they would go alone and leave her and her brother behind to live with relatives until they were established financially. Maria called a family meeting and told her parents that “”No”” was not an option. She knew what America represented to immigrants and wanted to live the American Dream. She refused to be left behind. A month later, she was on the plane with her brother and parents.

Professional Life
After graduating from college at age 19, Maria campaigned for Senator Daniel J. Evans and followed him to Washington D.C. when he won the United States Senate seat. Later, she came back home to go to law school. After passing the Washington bar, Maria was hired by one of the top six Washington law firms to develop legal representation in the area of international business transactions between United States and Asian companies.

Moving to Texas
Maria was successful, but she wanted something that would challenge her more. She left Washington state and came to Texas to start anew.

When Maria arrived in Plano she had no money in her pockets – just a pocket full of dreams. Because of Plano, Maria and her husband became pioneers of a brand-new market: they founded the first company to sell sushi directly in grocery stores across North Texas.

Eventually, the Tus sold their company and Maria went back to the practice of law. Then a non-practicing attorney, Maria sat and passed the Texas Bar exam and was hired as a prosecutor for the Collin County District Attorney’s office. She successfully prosecuted hardened criminals and helped make our community safe. Today, she owns her own criminal law practice. She lives by her adopted principles to always “”help those who cannot help themselves”” and “”speak for those who cannot speak for themselves””.

Community Service
Maria has served the Plano community on various organizations, including:

Collin County Lawyers Association
Leadership Plano – Class 36
Plano Chamber of Commerce
Texas Bar Foundation
Texas Diversity Council
NIHAO
Greater Dallas Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce – Executive Board Member
Dallas Chinese Community Center – Board Member
U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce – Member
She was also awarded the Top Achievers’ Heart of a servant award for 2019.

Accolades
2015
Recognized for excellence by American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
Selected as Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2018
Honored as one of the Top Women in Law by the Texas Diversity Council
2019
Recognized for excellence in Criminal Defense Law by Lawyers of Distinction
Awarded the Heart of a Servant award by Top Achievers
2020 and 2021
Selected by Plano Local Profile as one of the Top Lawyers in Criminal Law
2021
Recognized for her service to the Community by Pak America Business Forum
Appointed Deputy Mayor Pro Tem of Plano
2024
Recognized as Plano’s Women of Inspiration
Appointed Mayor Pro Tem of Plano