Maria Connolly

Alongside her role as head of the real estate and future energy team at TLT, Maria Connolly is also the executive board sponsor for the firm’s sustainability strategy, responsible for positioning TLT as a trailblazer in sustainability.

Maria spearheaded TLT’s first-of-a-kind strategy, which aims to drive the transition to an improved energy system by broadening the availability and accessibility of contributing technologies. This has followed the evolution of the sector from wind and solar into bioenergy, tidal and included developing legal frameworks for solar, energy storage, multi-technology projects and EV charging infrastructure, breaking down barriers to entry.

Maria’s role as executive board sponsor has led TLT to formalise its sustainability credentials and build a clearly defined internal programme as well as working externally with significant names in the energy sector. Some of those partnerships include with Forest Green Rovers, Green Britain Foundation which funds projects such as the Ministry of Eco Education, and the Chancery Lane Project.

Maria was the driving force behind the introduction of TLT’s sustainability strategy, which recognises the need for a greater pace towards net-zero and creating a pathway for TLT employees to fully embrace emission-cutting initiatives. Under Maria’s leadership, TLT’s ambitious commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse (HGH) emissions by 2040 has been verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), marking a monumental step forward in the firm’s comprehensive decarbonisation strategy.

Beyond her legal work, she acts as mentor for the RegenSW Entrepreneurial Women in Renewable Energy programme and has been appointed to the City of London Law Society Energy Committee. She is also a frequent speaker at industry events, discussing topics # electric vehicle charging infrastructure, solar, wind, battery and other emerging and multi-technology projects. 

Maria qualified as a solicitor in 1999 and became a partner in 2007.