Employment

Maria advises clients including not-for-profit organisations, independent schools, sports clubs and faith-based organisations on employment and safeguarding matters. She also acts for senior executive clients, particularly in the context of investigations or inquiries that they may be involved in.

On the employment side, Maria’s typical caseload involves advising employers on the handling of sensitive cases and investigations often into alleged misconduct, harassment, bullying or discrimination. Maria has guided employer clients through many complex matters ranging from one off cases to issues that may involve or impact many staff members. She also advises HR teams (from all sectors) on more routine areas of employment law, such as performance management and staff exits.

Maria was one of the founding members of Farrer & Co’s Safeguarding Unit. She advises all types of organisations who work with children on their legal obligations and has helped clients embed safer cultures through audits and support with policies and procedures. As well as advisory work, Maria has advised on a significant number of safeguarding cases. This involves working with clients and statutory authorities, advising on (or carrying out) investigations into allegations and guiding clients through external processes such as independent reviews or regulatory proceedings (particularly the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA)).

The nature of Maria’s cases means that she often works closely with the firm’s media and reputation management lawyers and data protection lawyers. Maria is a versatile lawyer with excellent knowledge of related legal areas such as GDPR, charity law, disputes and insurance law. Maria co-leads the firm’s investigations practice, she is an ‘Achieving Best Evidence’ trained investigator and is closely involved with the firm’s Tomorrow Together sustainability campaign.

Queen's University Belfast