Katie Fudakowski

Partner

Katie is an equality specialist. A barrister by training and fee paid circuit Judge, she has expertise in cases involving the intersection between pure employment education and safeguarding law. She is a recognised authority on safeguarding best practice in the education, sports, higher education and charity sectors and is valued her for her ability to quickly cut through to the key issues and give pragmatic and sensitive advice.

Katie advises the schools, sports, higher education and charity sectors on:

Employment Law: Equality Act compliance, Discrimination, Workplace disputes, grievances, whistleblowing and bullying allegations, disciplinary processes, appeals, contentious and agreed exits.
Safeguarding Law: Live and non-recent safeguarding allegations, crisis management, risk assessment, SIR reporting, DBS and TRA referrals
Education law: Special education needs, admissions disputes, exclusions, parental complaints, regulatory inspections
Litigation: Employment Tribunal, County Court, First Tier Tribunal, Inquest and Inquiries.
Independent investigations

Katie is on a career break, returning in August.

Schools & Universities

Katie advises schools and universities on all issues involving students, parents and staff. Her expertise includes: Equality Act compliance and discrimination allegations Independent investigations Peer on peer abuse cases Management of low-level concerns Disciplinary cases and exclusions Regulatory inspections-challenging ISI and Ofsted Parental complaints and appeals Staff misconduct cases and capability procedures Employment Tribunal litigation and settlement agreements Special education needs cases and First Tier Tribunal litigation Serious incident reporting and charity governance Referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the Teaching Regulatory Authority (TRA).

Sports

During a decade at the bar, Katie gained experience extensive experience in the sports sector, fighting claims in the employment tribunal and as an independent investigator for complex bullying and whistleblowing in premiership football clubs. She sat on the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) anti-doping and classification appeal boards and adjudicate on alleged breaches of the anti-doping code and in relation to appeals against an athlete’s assigned sports class. As a well-respected partner in the employment team, Katie advises every type of sports club and their governing bodies and sports businesses in safeguarding, equality and employment matters. Her clients include premiership football clubs and national sports governing bodies. Her expertise includes: Equality Act compliance Discrimination claims Safeguarding reviews Management of allegations against staff / members / volunteers Drafting safeguarding and equality policies Advising on governance issues Safer recruitment of staff and volunteers, Carrying out independent investigatory reviews Advice on the handling of live or non-recent safeguarding concerns and related claims.

Memberships & Accolades

Katie is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, the Employment Law Bar Association, the Industrial Law Society and the Education Law Association. She regularly attends national and international conferences and events and regularly speaks on employment law and safeguarding.

Testimonials

"Collaborating with Katie on this project has been a pleasure. She has provided a level of expertise, professional curiosity and check and challenge that has resulted in a high-quality product." (Chambers UK 2025)

"We always receive a great service and expertise from Katie." (Chambers UK 2025)

"Katie's commercial vision is strong. Very strong." (Chambers UK 2025)

"Katie Fudakowski is well respected in the field." (Legal 500 2025)

"Katie Fudakowski is whip-smart, thoughtful and deeply knowledgeable about education law, employment law and child safeguarding. Her advice is always thoughtful and well-considered and it is reassuring to work with her as she leaves no stone unturned." (Legal 500 2025)

"Katie Fudakowski is a former barrister with shrewd legal acumen and fantastic client care skills. She knows the private schools sector inside out and has expertise in safeguarding and discrimination law." (Legal 500 2025)

"Katie Fudakowski is a fountain of knowledge, especially as it pertains to safeguarding issues in education. When we work with her, we feel that we are in very good hands and that we are getting top-of-the-line legal advice." (Legal 500 2024)

Katie is recognised as a Next Generation Partner for Education: Schools and a Key Lawyer for Sports in the Legal 500 2023

"Katie Fudakowski has provided guidance on employment issues, TOR and disciplinary procedures. Her judgement is excellent, she is quick and responsive and always understands what our needs are and how to shape or direction." (Legal 500 2022)

“Katie Fudakowski represent sports governing bodies on the full-range of employment and equality related matters. (Legal 500 2023)

“Katie Fudakowski previously spent a decade as a barrister, meaning she brings a decade of experience and insight from a barrister's perspective.” (Legal 500 2023)