Journey to law
Growing up in New Zealand, I was fascinated with the history of our indigenous population, Mâori, and this led me to study the Treati o Waitangi and the creation of the New Zealand legal system. Somewhere between the release of To Kill a Mockingbird, and Erin Brockovich, I graduated with a law degree and commenced practicing as a family and Mâori land rights lawyer. I was drawn to these areas of practice because of my passion for advocating for vulnerable clients at a difficult time in their lives. Those values led me organically into employment law when I emigrated to the UK in 2007, where I continue to act for clients navigating a difficult time in their work life or a tricky time in their business.
T: +44(0)2038379914
E: josephine.vanlierop@joneschase.com
Josephine has practiced as a lawyer for 19 years, 15 of which has been as an employment lawyer.
She spent 5 years working “in-house” as an advisor to Secretaries of State, government departments and executive agencies in their capacity as employers. In this role Josephine advised on pay & reward strategy, employment policy, managing performance and capability, lines to take on employment related issues that cross-cut different government departments, and employment litigation advice and strategy.
Josephine then spent 8 years advising individuals, latterly as a Principal Lawyer and Head of Employment (Edinburgh) at Slater & Gordon where she advised senior executives, directors, partners and professionals, on the full spectrum of employment issues, from inception of and negotiation of the contract, through handling employment related disputes and negotiating contentious exits. Josephine also held relationships with Trade Union clients, whose focus was striking a balance between individual and collective rights and overall organisational harmony and stability.
Her substantial recent expertise in acting for individuals has honed her very empathetic and personable style and means that she has advised across a wide range of settings and types of industry, from financial to education, to public sector.
Josephine is a thought leader and is sought after for regular comment on issues in the media, writes articles and provides professional training. She is a committee member for the Employment Law Group.
I would highly recommend Josephine, her expertise was invaluable. She supported me through a stressful time when I was bullied in the workplace and negotiated a successful outcome.
Jones Chase were recommended to me, and the advice I received from Josephine was excellent. Overall a very effective service.
I have been lucky to have Josephine van Lierop as my representative in a difficult and aggressive employment dispute. Josephine managed to get better results than I could expect, through her perseverance and sharp strategic thinking. I felt protected, understood and, most importantly, I felt that Josephine was not only representing my interests but also the values and principles I wanted to stand for. I could not be happier with the way I was supported and helped.
Josephine responded to my case immediately to meet my former employers’ short deadlines, she is extremely professional, capable, and has improved the original offer with affective yet simple course of actions. Most importantly, she understood how inexperienced I am to employment conflicts and helped me to stay objective during the legal process.
- Yoga
- Pasta
- My 2 year old’s infectious giggle