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Katie Fudakowski

Partner

Katie Fudakowski lawyer photo

Before joining Farrer & Co as a Partner, Katie had built up a decade of experience in employment and safeguarding law practising as a barrister at Old Square Chambers. Katie is valued her for her ability to cut through to the key issues and grasp the nettle with decisive and clear advice.

Katie advises schools, education businesses, sports organisations and charities on:

  • Equality Act and discrimination law
  • Live and historic safeguarding issues and crisis management
  • Education law (special education needs, exclusions, regulatory inspections)
  • Employment Tribunal litigation

Katie is recognised as a next Generation Partner for education and a key lawyer for sports in Legal 500 2023. She is the firm lead for safeguarding in sport and a member of the Council of Europe Sport Division's Pool of international Experts on Safe Sport.

Expertise

Schools

Katie advises school and education business clients on all issues involving pupils, parents and staff. She combines experience of safeguarding, education and employment law and advises on: Equality Act compliance eg reasonable adjustments duty and transgender inclusion Discrimination allegations Investigations Child on child abuse cases Management of low-level concerns Pupil 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 to the Charity commission Referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the Teaching Regulatory Authority (TRA).

Sports

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 historic safeguarding concerns Claims arising out of historic abuse

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

"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) 

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