We cover a broad spectrum of legal, and other related matters in the course of our work. We work with staff and students, as well as a number of of external agencies, including the School's external lawyers. However, we are not usually able to provide advice on private matters such as work projects outside of the terms of employment or housing matters for students. The LSESU Advice Service offers advice on a number of housing and academic processes. Please click here for more details. 

Who we are

Geraldine Ismail, Head of Legal Services

Mariachiara Valsecchi, Senior Legal Counsel
Mariachiara is a double qualified lawyer, a qualified solicitor since 2017 and holds an LLM degree in International Business Law. She has more than 15 years’ experience in private practice in Italy (Milan and Rome), where she specialised in banking and business law by advising large banking institutions and companies, and managing complex litigation. She then extended her legal expertise into employment and contract law and copyright. Mariachiara joined LSE in January 2021 as a legal counsel. She regularly reviews and drafts contracts, grants and other legal agreements. She deals with students’ complaints and disciplinary matters; advises on Intellectual Property and Data Protection enquiries, and works closely with the rest of her Team for the development of the School’s Policies and Procedures.  

Lima Hussain, Legal Counsel 

Lima is a qualified solicitor with experience in working in private practice, government department and non-profit organisations. She has previously worked in-house in the private sector for a private company, dealing with commercial and business-to-business contracts. 

Lima currently deals with a vast array range of legal matters from student complaints and disciplinaries, to internships, commercial contracts, student agreements, and more.

Rachael Maguire, Information and Records Manager
Rachael is the School's Data Protection Officer (DPO) and responsible for records management, managing FoI and DPA requests, managing DPA queries and compliance, developing policies, procedures, briefings, training materials and guidelines relating to records management and information rights. She is the Chair of the Information Management Steering Group. Rachael is a member of the Information Governance Management Board, Research Data Management Working Group and other groups as DPO, including leading the Data Protection Champions network.

Email: glpd.info.rights@lse.ac.uk

Bhavika Dhanak-Jodha, Information and Records Management Assistant

Bhavika manages Freedom of Information Requests and Data Protection Act requests. She also helps Rachael where needed for other day to day activities. 

Email: glpd.info.rights@lse.ac.uk 

Sarah Anou, Audit and Insurance Officer

Sarah is responsible for coordinating internal audit activity and insurance within the School. She has audit and risk experience in the HE and healthcare sectors, as well as experience in project management. 

Email: secdiv.insurance@lse.ac.uk 

Melissa Nicholson, Head of International Compliance (IGC)

Melissa has overall responsibility within the LSE for monitoring and managing all compliance and governance related requirements related to the School’s registered international entities and the International Growth Centre (IGC) activities in its countries of operation. She is responsible for international risk and security management; international tax, registration, and regulatory compliance (T&RC) and related due diligence for the IGC activities and programmes. She has expert knowledge of international regulatory and ethical compliance matters, due diligence,  risk management and safeguarding.