About Us

We are Employment
Law & HR Support
Professionals

Our team of dedicated and highly experienced professionals support our members in all aspects of the employment relationship and provide a full range of employment advice and legal representation services.

About Us

We are Employment Law & HR Support Professionals

Our team of dedicated and highly experienced professionals support our members in all aspects of the employment relationship and provide a full range of employment advice and legal representation services.

Our Clients

SME’s and large organisations who trust us to provide
them with Employment Law & HR Support

Our Team

Lorraine Toolan

Head of Employment Training Services

Lorraine works with members to assess their training and developmental requirements. She helps ensure employment law compliance and the understanding of fair and consistent application of organisational policies and procedures. Experience in employment relations and tribunal advocacy helps her to design and deliver more effective, relevant and practical training courses across a wide range of subjects.

Michelle McGinley

Acting Managing Director

Michelle is the Acting Managing Director and a qualified solicitor having specialised in employment law throughout her career. She began her practice in Birmingham before returning to Northern Ireland, where she is admitted to practice both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

She currently serves as Reserve Chair of the Scrutiny Committee of the Pharmaceutical Society, Vice Chair of Appeals for the Irish Football Association, and Independent Appeal Chair for the Labour Relations Agency.

Michelle has previously held significant roles including Solicitor Member of the Solicitor Disciplinary Tribunal and Board Member of the Labour Relations Agency, where she represented employers.

Karen Moore

Senior Employment Lawyer & Head of Training (NI & ROI)

Since qualifying in 2005 Karen has practised exclusively in the field of employment law on behalf of employers. Karen is dual qualified and advises employers in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

As an accredited solicitor advocate Karen has a proven track record of successfully defending employers before the Employment Tribunal.

Karen’s experience also includes advising organisations on the application of the transfer of undertakings legislation and the employment aspects of business transactions.

Kathryn O’Lone

Senior Employment Lawyer & Head of ROI and Business Improvement

Kathryn is a dual qualified Employment Lawyer, practising in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Kathryn is also an accredited solicitor advocate who tutors at the Institute of Professional legal Studies in both Employment Law and Professional skills and development.

Kathryn specialises in the application of the family related employment rights as well as contentious litigation.

Kathryn is responsible for the development of IT and Web based services within the Employers Federation

Sara Plower

Employment Lawyer

Sara is a qualified solicitor who joined EEF in March 2022. Sara previously worked in private practice and has a range of experience in different sector areas. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Sara managed her own business and also worked as a Managing Director in the Derry News which gives her a unique understanding of the workplace challenges experienced by employers in running a business and managing employees. Sara uses this first-hand knowledge to provide practical advice to Members.

Sara advises Members on all aspects of employment law, with a particular interest in dealing with disciplinary issues.

Lauren Hudson

Employment Lawyer

Lauren is a dual‑qualified employment law solicitor, admitted to practise in both Northern Ireland and England & Wales.

She joined the Employers Federation having trained and qualified in a leading Belfast‑based corporate law firm. There, she specialised in advising employers on the full range of advisory workplace issues, alongside the employment aspects of complex business transactions and Tribunal Litigation.

At the Employers Federation, Lauren supports Members with employee relations issues, employment tribunal matters, policy development and strategic HR guidance, providing clear, practical advice tailored to organisational needs.

We support and guide you on all HR and employment law issues, from handling day-to-day problems to effecting major business change and re-organisation. We also keep you informed on forthcoming legal changes, and guide you on how to remain compliant

If you’d like to discuss membership options, or to find out more about our services, please get in touch.

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