Valerie joined Stephens Scown in December 2024 as an Associate in the Employment team.

Having studied Law at the University of Exeter, and completing the LPC at the University of Law, she qualified in 2020.

Her areas of expertise include supporting employer and employee clients with both contentious and non-contentious issues, such as:

• Supporting clients through employment tribunal claims.
• Advising on day-to-day employment concerns.
• Drafting and negotiating key employment documents, including contracts of employment, director service agreements and staff handbooks.
• Drafting and negotiating settlement agreements on behalf of employers and employee clients and advising on the terms of the agreement.
• Providing internal HR support to employer clients on several issues, ranging from sickness absence and holiday pay calculations to disciplinary investigations and redundancy consultations.

Recent examples of her work include:

• Supporting clients through employment tribunal claims on behalf of public and private sector clients, including advising on a complex claim for whistleblowing and discrimination, whilst providing advice on concurrent internal grievance processes.
• Advising clients on the terms of settlement agreements and the impact these may have on any potential claims.
• Supporting clients through complex grievance and disciplinary processes.
• Assisting clients in drafting bespoke handbooks and contracts of employment.

Outside of work, Valerie enjoys being outdoors, paddleboarding, camping, running, and spending time with friends.