Maria joined Magrath Sheldrick in 2011 and qualified into the Employment Department in August 2013.
Maria advises both employers and individuals on all aspects of the employment relationship, from preparing to hire an employee to negotiating exits and issuing or defending claims when necessary. She has successfully represented both employer and employee clients in claims related to unfair dismissal, discrimination (including disability discrimination), and whistleblowing. Maria has also acted for clients seeking to enforce post-termination restrictions and confidentiality obligations.
Maria regularly advises clients on redundancy processes and procedures, including where collective consultation obligations are triggered. She has provided corporate support on transactional matters, including advising clients on the impact of TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)) on business transfers and service provision changes.
In addition, Maria offers commercial and practical advice to clients on managing day-to-day employment issues while minimizing potential risks, such as handling sickness absence, grievance, and disciplinary processes.
Maria writes articles on employment law topics for various publications and delivers bespoke in-house training for clients.
Interests
- Theatre
- Cooking
Notable experience
- Successfully defending high value Employment Tribunal claims for discrimination, constructive unfair dismissal and dismissal and detriments related to ‘whistleblowing’ disclosures.
- Acting for the successful Claimant in the case of Thomas v BNP Paribas Real Estate Advisory & Property Management (UKEAT/0134/16/JOJ) in respect of a redundancy dismissal.
- Defending sex and race discrimination claims for an employer client and obtaining a £12,000 costs order in the client’s favour in the Employment Tribunal, where costs orders are rarely granted.
- Negotiating favourable exit terms for senior executives including valuable severance payments in both cash and equity.
- Advising clients on the terms and effect of Collective Agreements and liaising with recognised Trade Unions.
- Enforcing contractual terms including post termination restrictions and confidentiality provisions.
- Drafting and advising upon service agreements for the board of directors of a client prior to a public listing on AIM.
- Advising on the collective consultation obligations of clients on proposed closedowns of all or part of their operations.