Karolina joined Stephens Scown in August 2021 as a trainee solicitor. In November 2023, she then qualified into the Employment team as a solicitor.

Her work in the team includes working with employers and employees in areas such as:

• Negotiating, drafting and advising on settlement agreements on behalf of employees and employers.
• Supporting employers making reasonable adjustments for staff with disabilities.
• Supporting employees and employers through disciplinary procedures and grievances.
• Working with employers going through redundancy, both individual and collective.
• Reviewing employment handbooks and contracts for legal compliance.
• Working with employer clients on defending claims in the Employment Tribunal.
• Supporting employees seeking to bring claims in the Employment Tribunal.

She is also part of the firm’s HRExpress team supporting employers with HR matters, ensuring that legal issues are dealt with promptly, that advice is tailored to the needs and goals of clients, and promotes an ethical workplace which balances fair practice and risks to employers.

Recent examples of her work include:

• Advising clients on the terms of settlement agreements and the impact these may have on any potential claims.
• Drafting bespoke settlement agreements for employers.
• Drafting bespoke grievance submissions for employees.
• Drafting and negotiating settlement offers for employees wishing to exit their employment on mutually agreed terms.
• Providing case assessments on prospective claims available to employers and employees in the Employment Tribunal.
• Supporting clients through formal processes in a range of contexts, including sickness absence, disciplinaries and grievances.

Karolina enjoys participating in roundtable events for employers, engaging in lively discussions on the latest legal developments and where possible supporting with widening participation opportunities and initiatives.

She graduated from the University of Bristol with a Law LLB and a Health, Law, and Society LLM, where she was part of the University’s medical law society and enjoys working within our firm’s healthcare sector. Karolina also completed the Legal Practice Course at BPP University in Bristol.

Karolina is co-chair of the Exeter Professionals group working with junior and referrer contacts and is an active member of our firm’s Charity Committee which fundraises for local nominated charities.

Outside of work, Karolina enjoys travelling and attending live musicals and concerts.