Opening the legal door to a world of opportunities
Life at Swinburne Maddison is all about growth, opportunity, and being surrounded by great people. We believe in pushing boundaries, fostering talent, and creating an environment where people thrive.
Our collaborative culture and supportive team make us a brilliant place to build your future – right here in Durham.
Our people are everything. We champion innovation, encourage individuality, and offer a workplace where ambition is nurtured, success is celebrated, and you feel part of something special.
Passionate about law? Take a look at our current roles or reach out—we’d love to hear from you!
Joining Swinburne Maddison means becoming part of a team that’s driven, supportive, and a whole lot of fun. We’re not just about legal expertise; we’re about building relationships, solving problems, and making a real impact. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your career, you’ll find opportunities to grow, innovate, and thrive here.
We’re after energetic, proactive individuals who are ready to embrace challenges and contribute to our ongoing success. In return, we offer competitive salaries, hybrid working*, structured career progression and a fantastic benefits package—including pension schemes and bonuses.
So, if you’re up for making a difference and having a good time while doing it, let’s chat.
*Hybrid working is available for the majority of our roles.
Shape your future with Swinburne Maddison
Whether you’re a lawyer or part of our support team, we’re here to help you grow, succeed, and love what you do. A new challenge awaits!
Curious about a role? Check out our vacancies below or give us a shout—we’re always happy to chat careers!
Swinburne Maddison LLP is a dynamic, award-winning law firm in Durham, renowned for excellence in corporate law. With ambitious growth plans, we're seeking a skilled Corporate Lawyer to join our top-tier, Legal 500-ranked Corporate and Commercial team.
We’re on the lookout for a talented Corporate Lawyer—someone who can confidently manage their own caseload while working closely with our team on high-quality transactional work. If you’re a proactive team player with a sharp legal mind and a knack for getting things done, you’ll fit right in.
From corporate finance and M&A to private equity, reorganisations, and governance, you’ll handle the full spectrum of corporate law. You’ll lead legal teams on regional and national transactions, balancing technical expertise with strong project management and commercial awareness.
At Swinburne Maddison, we don’t just do great legal work—we build lasting relationships. We focus on what really matters: delivering for our clients. If that sounds like the kind of team you want to be part of, let’s talk.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 30th May 2025
ApplyOur employment law team are here to make clients feel human again—for individuals or businesses We’re looking for an Employment Lawyer to join our well-respected team.
We are seeking a skilled Employment Lawyer to provide expert legal advice on a range of employment matters.
The successful candidate will take on duties such as:
- Advising both employers and employees on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters.
- Drafting and reviewing contracts, policies, and employment documentation.
- Providing day-to-day advice and support to clients under our smart HR retainer service.
- Supporting clients through disciplinaries, grievances, redundancies, and tribunal claims.
- Assisting with the employment aspects of corporate transactions (previous experience in corporate support desirable but not essential).
- Working closely with senior lawyers and partners on complex advisory work, undertaking legal research.
- Developing your reputation for leading client service, taking responsibility and strengthening client relationships.
- Business Development Initiatives.
- Maintain CPD requirements with attendance at training sessions.
Friday 16th May 2025
ApplyNone of these roles the perfect fit? Apply speculatively—we’d love to hear from you
Building tomorrow’s legal stars
Learning goes beyond the classroom! That’s why we run a summer work experience programme, offering hands-on legal exposure to students who want to explore a future in law.
Spend a day as a real-life Harvey Spectre or Elle Woods! From corporate deals to property disputes, we’ll show you what lawyers actually do.
Applications for our work experience programme are now closed for 2025 and will reopen in March 2026.
What we need
We’re on the lookout for bright, enthusiastic students—whether you’re in university, sixth form, or Year 11—who are eager to dive into the world of law. Our five-day work experience programme runs in July each year, giving you the chance to experience life at a leading law firm. We’ll introduce you to different areas of law, from wills and probate to corporate deals, giving you a taste of what it’s really like to be a lawyer.
While we can’t offer placements outside these dates, we encourage you to apply when the window opens again in March 2025. It’s your chance to step into the legal world and see what you’re made of!
This year our work experience programme will run from Monday 14th July 2024 and Monday 21st July 2025 – so make sure you are free!
What you’ll get
This isn’t just shadowing—it’s real-world experience! You’ll work alongside qualified lawyers, participate in client meetings, conduct research, and even try your hand at drafting. Throughout the programme, you’ll have a mentor and a buddy to guide you, answer questions, and grab lunch with.
We want you to leave with a deeper understanding of the legal profession and clarity about your future career path. Many of our past work experience students have gone on to qualify as lawyers, with some even joining our firm! So, whether it’s learning on the job or having fun along the way, we’re here to help you explore the exciting possibilities of a legal career.
