Our People

Valeriya joined Teacher Stern in September 2019 as a paralegal in the Banking & Finance department before commencing her training contract. During her training, she gained valuable experience across a range of practice areas, including Commercial Litigation, Construction, and Corporate & Commercial.

As a trainee solicitor, Valeriya managed her own caseload and took on significant responsibility, including playing a key role during the due diligence process for the sale of a prime London hotel via a property SPV held under complex trust structures.

Valeriya has subsequently qualified as a solicitor in October 2024 and joined Commercial and Corporate team. Since qualification, Valeriya works on a broad range of corporate matters, including private M&A—advising both buyers and sellers—primarily in the tech and hospitality sectors, as well as corporate reorganisations, board advisory work, and early-stage fundraising for founders.

Originally from Ukraine, Valeriya is fluent in Ukrainian and Russian, speaks conversational Spanish, and has recently begun learning Arabic.

Year qualified: 2024

Representative experience

• Since joining Teacher Stern, Valeriya supported Phil Berry in assisting OnSide charity with their Youth Zone projects across various UK locations, including Barnet, Manchester, Crewe and Warrington. Valeriya attended site visits and numerous meetings with the with Council’s legal counsel and representatives and as part of the firm’s team, was awarded the “Founders Patrons” award in December 2021 for their continued support.

Education

LLB Law in City University London – First Class Honours

LLM Master of Corporate Law – UCL

LPC in BPP Holborn – Distinction

Additional qualifications and achievements

Valeriya wrote an Independent Research Essay as a part of LLM Master degree with a contentious thesis “Potential effects of Brexit on the powers to block cross-border takeovers”

Recognition and awards

• Valeriya was awarded six academic prizes for her LLB, including: Dennis Glover Memorial Prize for Company Law; Martin Dockray Prize for Best Part 3; CLS Prize for First Class Degree; CLS Prize for best performance in an elective; and CLS Prize for Outstanding Performance in EU and Land Law.