Expertise

Stephanie brings more than 30 years’ experience across all areas of life-changing personal injury work, with particular interest in complex brain and spinal cord injury claims. She draws on her extensive knowledge and network to secure early interim payments wherever appropriate, enabling rehabilitation, care packages and suitable accommodation to be arranged well in advance of settlement. This proactive approach significantly improves outcomes and the quality of life for clients and their families.

Highly empathetic and unwaveringly committed, Stephanie is known for her conscientious representation and tenacious pursuit of the best possible results. She combines meticulous attention to detail with strong tactical judgement, ensuring that every case is advanced with precision and strategic insight.

Recognition

Stephanie is widely recognised for the standard of care, dedication and expertise she brings to her clients. She is described in Legal 500 as “absolutely dedicated” and “an impressive solicitor”. Her impact is reflected most powerfully in the words of those she has supported:

Justen a former City lawyer whose life changed dramatically following a cycling collision in London, shared: “[…] When the need arises you want to be confident that you have the best team backing you. I’ve been fortunate (albeit in the most unfortunate of circumstances) to have worked with Stephanie, Hayley and team. They worked tirelessly to help and secured vital interim funding.”

Gabriela, sister and litigation friend of BDI, a protected party, said: “Stephanie was like an angel sent to guide me through the litigation maze. When I first met her, I spoke no English having travelled from Romania to be with my severely injured brother. She helped me all the way and was like a mum to me, and despite all the difficulties we encountered she fought hard to ensure my brother received compensation to look after him for his lifetime.”

IC, a protected party whose case Stephanie took over from previous solicitors, shared: “My previous solicitors had the case for nine months and did not obtain an interim payment. Within two days of Stephanie taking over my case, she had secured significant funds, which has made a huge impact on my rehabilitation.”

Her approach has also been commended by the judiciary and senior counsel. In the Allan case, Mr Justice Cotter QC described the matter as a “paradigm of how a case should be run”. Reflecting on a recent settlement, leading KC Robert Weir noted: “Stephanie uses her wealth of experience and litigation nous to achieve remarkable results for her clients. Stephanie makes sure the litigation works to help her clients from the outset in their rehabilitation and rehousing. She is a formidable opponent yet extremely collaborative provided the insurer cooperates with a sensible plan for the prompt resolution of her cases. Seemingly inexhaustible, she works tirelessly for her clients; her compassion is evident and invaluable given the tremendous life changes experienced by her clients and their close family members.”

Experience

Stephanie is highly regarded for her specialist expertise in complex brain injuries, built on a broad background across employers’ liability, public liability and road traffic collisions (RTCs). Her deep technical knowledge, strategic judgement and commitment to timely resolution make her a trusted advocate in serious injury litigation. She focuses on achieving early, appropriate settlements that support long‑term rehabilitation and financial security for her clients.

Recent cases include:

• A claimant struck by a car, sustaining significant polytrauma including T3 complete paraplegia, a traumatic brain injury, a severe right brachial plexus injury, left ulnar nerve damage and multiple orthopaedic injuries. Settlement achieved: £25m
• A claimant sustained a severe traumatic brain injury was after being struck by a car while cycling home from work. The case concluded with a £10.25m lump sum settlement
• A claimant sustained multiple life-changing injuries, including a left occipital condyle fracture, lumbar transverse process fractures, a comminated sacral fracture, a right iliac tuberosity fracture, right gluteal muscle rhabdomyolysis, bilateral ankle fractures, bilateral orbital floor fractures, a right iliac artery tear, bowel hypoperfusion, a traumatic lesion of the right adrenal gland, a left subdural haematoma and a left basal skull fracture. The case settled for £13.5m and provisional damages were secured to allow a return to court should uncontrollable epilepsy develop
• A claimant sustained extensive orthopaedic and neurological injuries, including a pelvic fracture, right femoral head fracture, hip dislocation, radial nerve damage, shoulder‑girdle injury, calcaneal fracture, humerus fractures, radial nerve palsy, knee laceration, sternal and rib fractures and dental trauma. Settlement reached, £7.25m.

Additional major cases and disaster‑related work

Stephanie has also worked on numerous high‑profile historic cases, including the Hillsborough disaster, King’s Cross fire, Marchioness disaster, Cannon Street rail crash, Lyme Bay canoe tragedy and Hungerford massacre, alongside a series of substantial serious‑injury settlements.

Career

Stephanie has been a Partner at Stewarts since 2012, acting in some of the UK’s most complex and high‑value catastrophic injury cases. Before joining the firm, she spent four years at Irwin Mitchell in London in the Neuro‑Trauma Unit, specialising in catastrophic acquired brain and spinal injuries.

She previously spent eight years at Shoosmiths in the Claimant Serious Injury team, handling life‑changing injury claims, following a short career break after the adoption of her children. Earlier in her career, she worked at Rowley Ashworth representing trade union claimants, and before that spent a decade at Brian Thompson Solicitors, where she rose quickly through the ranks to become a salaried partner and then equity partner.

Personal

Stephanie enjoys all forms of socialising, keeping her teenage children in check, skiing and when time permits, binge box set watching.