Maria O\'Connell

Maria is a Partner in the Civil Liberties & Human Rights team at Hodge Jones & Allen. Maria has 18 years’ experience in the field. She was an Equity Partner at another London firm after which she practiced as a Consultant Lawyer whilst undertaking further academic research and studies. She joined the established Hodge Jones & Allen in October 2023. Maria specialises in private law civil liberties litigation primarily focussing on claims against the police and other detaining authorities, prisoner right litigation and associated public law challenges in a criminal justice context challenging the basis of police investigations, their outcomes and disciplinary decision-making in respect of officers facing misconduct proceedings. Maria is increasingly acting for families in inquest proceedings, predominantly those involving deaths from suicide following a history of domestic abuse and families of children who have died following identification through the National Referral Mechanism as victims of modern slavery and /or county lines trafficking. Maria is seeking to assist the families understand of the events leading to their deaths and examine the role statutory services played in their loved-ones lives before their death. She regularly receives referrals from solicitors, previous and existing clients to represent them. She prides herself on her excellent client care and approachable nature, bringing a human face to the law. Maria is a CILEX Practitioner with rights of audience and independent practice rights. Having qualified by alternative means, she is an advocate for wider diversity within the legal profession and seeks to encourage and train those entering the legal profession and nurture early career talent to ensure continued access to justice in years to come. · Hodge Jones & Allen