Madeline
Buitelaar

Madeline’s practice of conducting impartial investigations combines her interest in learning about others and asking questions with her expertise in writing and the law. She values how this area of law allows her to approach each situation with openness and empathy.

Experience

Madeline is an experienced attorney-investigator with extensive experience handling complex workplace matters. She has led more than 200 investigations since joining OIG. These matters have included allegations of sexual harassment and assault, discrimination, workplace bullying, and retaliation, as well as complaints against C-suite employees, high-level managers, and elected officials.

Madeline also has expertise in conducting Title IX investigations for public and private institutions. She has conducted dozens of investigations for schools, spanning many age groups, from elementary-aged students to higher education and graduate students. Some of these matters have also involved historic sexual abuse in schools. She is an AWI Certificate Holder (AWI-CH) and has also received training certificates from T9 Mastered to conduct Title IX investigations.

Beyond investigations, Madeline provides mediation and conflict‑resolution services that strengthen workplace culture and employee engagement. She also regularly speaks to investigators and HR professionals on best practices in workplace investigations.

In addition to providing neutral services to public and private entities statewide, she draws on her expertise to educate business and legal audiences on workplace dynamics, including new legislation, investigation best practices, and managing multigenerational teams. Her work has been published in leading legal outlets such as the Daily Journal and ACC Docket, as well as in broader business publications such as the North Bay Business Journal.

Before joining the firm, Madeline gained experience at the Office for Civil Rights, the Department of Education, and the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, Sexual Assault Unit.

Outside the Office

In her free time, Madeline enjoys cooking Ottolenghi recipes, traveling, reading, and cycling.