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Valentina Araya

Associate
Santiago
About

Valentina Araya has over six years of experience in labor law and she specializes in corporate labor advice and legal representation, addressing issues such as discrimination, harassment (including bullying and both verbal and physical aggression), and violations of labor rights, among other related matters.

Valentina regularly conducts complex investigations into sexual and workplace harassment for clients across various industries. In addition, she organizes and participates in labor law training sessions covering a range of labor issues, the implementation of internal policies, and the new implications of the Karin Law for senior executives and employees with certified gender perspective training.

She also provides corporate labor consultancy services to national and international clients. Her expertise includes drafting and reviewing service contracts, creating national labor questionnaires and those applicable in various jurisdictions, and developing or modifying international policies to ensure compliance with current labor laws.

Areas of FocusEmploymentConsumer Goods, Food and RetailIndustrials
Bar admissionsChile, 2018

EXPERIENCE

  • A distributor of sodium-sulfur batteries, on its obligation to provide medical records of its employees to the Accident Insurance Administration Agency (Mutual de Seguridad), achieving a balance between regulatory compliance and the protection of sensitive data, guaranteeing the confidentiality of medical information.
  • A real estate company in the investigation of a complaint of sexual harassment brought by a former employee against her manager, which was raised in the context of a separate criminal suit filed by the claimant alleging that she had been seriously sexually assaulted in the workplace.
  • A regional construction company's representation in a lawsuit alleging unjustified dismissal brought by an employee dismissed for committing “reckless acts, omissions or imprudence.” The claim was rejected in its entirety. In addition, we advise them on updating its internal policies and procedures in the context of Karin's Law, which aims to prevent, investigate, and penalize workplace harassment and violence. Our team also provided tailored training sessions to help employees understand the changes.
  • A retail holding company in a legal claim to reject fines that had been applied various times for the same infringement affecting different employees. The Court recognized that the company should not be fined more than once for the same violation, thereby annulling the fines. In addition, we represented them in a lawsuit brought by an employee claiming indirect dismissal and collection of benefits. The Court rejected the claim, establishing that the labor relationship ended due to the plaintiff's resignation.
  • Various companies of different sizes and industries are updating their internal policies and procedures in the context of Karin's Law, which aims to prevent, investigate, and penalize workplace harassment and violence. Our team also provided tailored training sessions to help employees understand the changes.
  • A global supplier of mining supplies in connection with inspections carried out by the health authority of its facilities in the municipality of Pudahuel in Santiago, Chile.
  • A leading hygiene product manufacturer in the closing of its production plant and distribution center in Chile, requiring the preparation of 150 termination letters, severance and exit packages, as well as the training of human resources leaders and the organization and presence of the DLA team on the day of the dismissal. As a result, all employees agreed to the proposed exit package and signed their settlement agreements.

Languages
  • English
  • Spanish

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Best Lawyers

  • Labor & Employment, Ones to Watch, (2025 – 2026)
Education

  • Incorporation of the Gender Perspective and the reconciliation of work, family and personal life in Organizations, Adolfo Ibáñez University, 2024

  • Diploma in Company Labor Law, Universidad de los Andes, 2021

     

    Course in Litigation in oral and labor trials, National Academy of Litigation, 2021

  • Law, Universidad de los Andes, 2017

Prior Experience:

Before joining the firm, Valentina worked as an associate at a boutique labor and employment law firm in Chile.
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Phone

+56 2 2798 2681
(Work, Santiago)