Meet Kate Stephenson, Partner in Swinburne Maddison’s Commercial Property and Head of the Residential Property team.
Kate began her journey with Swinburne Maddison as a Trainee solicitor back in 2003, earning her qualification in 2005 and progressing to Partner in 2009. Her pivotal role in expanding the firm’s bustling conveyancing team underpins her commitment to the firm.
Recognised as a ‘highly dedicated partner’ in The Legal 500 2024 edition, Kate boasts extensive experience in navigating diverse property transactions, spanning residential and commercial. She represents prominent local landowners, developers, as well as clients in the retail and hospitality sectors.
So, grab a cuppa (and perhaps a slice of cake), and let’s get to know Kate!
Tell us about your role at SM…
I’m a partner in the commercial property department and head of the residential property department. My day-to-day transactional work involves various commercial property matters including the sale and purchase of development land, acting for registered providers acquiring large residential sites and general property portfolio management transactions.
On the strategic and management side of things, I spend a lot of time looking into IT developments and how they can help streamline the services we provide and improve customer experience while maintaining a personal service.
You were recently named as a Leading Individual in The Legal 500. What does that mean to you?
I am hugely appreciative of the considerable time and effort our client referees and our team put into The Legal 500 submissions and to be personally recognised is fantastic. I do however take greater pride in the recognition the firm as a whole has received in this year’s listings which I feel is representative of the excellent feedback received on a daily basis across all departments, not only those categories listed in The Legal 500.
What are your three notable achievements whilst working at SM?
Qualifying – it wasn’t a given!
Seeing the various property projects I have been involved in coming to fruition. I love driving around the North East and passing sites I have been involved with and seeing on the ground the results of those transactions whether it be new developments, regeneration or expansions.
Playing a part, no matter how small, in the development of staff at the firm. I’ve been here long enough to see trainees become partners and support staff develop and flourish into all sorts of roles.
What keeps you busy outside of the office?
My three sons.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
Legally blonde…ish.
Bake off or Masterchef?
Bake off, but I’d need to be eliminated before pastry week. Who has any burning desire to make their own filo pastry?!
This interview was previously featured in our Winter 2023 edition of Prism Magazine which can be viewed online by clicking here.
