The recent retirement of one of the founding partners of Swinburne Maddison LLP (Swinburne Maddison), Philip Robson, has initiated some changes within its residential property team as the firm strengthens its position in a competitive market.
As one of County Durham’s leading law firms, Swinburne Maddison has continued to experience steady expansion in recent years and this is no less true within its residential department, which newly appointed solicitor, Andrew Allon, has joined.
Qualifying in 2011, Andrew has over eight years of experience dealing with a diverse range of property matters, including professional negligence claims and housing issues. For the last three years, Andrew has concentrated predominantly on residential Conveyancing. This experience has enabled him to take on Philip Robson’s case load together with looking after new residential clients and their property transactions.
As Andrew’s previous role was with a specialist online firm, which meant that most legal work was done over the telephone or email, he is looking forward to building relationships face to face, as he explains:
“I am really looking forward to the opportunity I have been given to work for Swinburne Maddison. I am eager to grow the department and pleased to be able to build client relationships one to one. The firm has a great reputation and the residential department is very busy, providing the opportunity for career progression too in the future.”
An internal promotion has led to the creation of a second role within the residential team, this time for a trainee solicitor. Ashley Garthwaite, who joined Swinburne Maddison in 2016 exemplifies the firm’s commitment to training and recruitment from within.
Ashley joined Swinburne Maddison as a secretary in the residential department to gain practical experience. However, with a law degree and an LPC qualification already under her belt, it wasn’t long before she was promoted to paralegal, assisting Philip Robson and his team. She said:
“Working at Swinburne Maddison has opened my eyes to the different opportunities available and being able to work alongside great colleagues too, there is nowhere else I would rather be. I am so grateful I applied for a training contract and for the opportunity I now have and look forward to learning from the best. Since joining Swinburne Maddison, my career has gone from strength to strength.”
Commenting on these two appointments and welcoming Andrew and Ashley to their new roles,Kate Stephenson, Head of Residential Conveyancing said:
“Philip Robson was hugely respected by the business community and private clients alike, with a career spanning 40 years, so it is fitting that we are replacing him with two new members of staff. Andrew will bolster the already strong and busy residential department and his experience in a paperless office is already giving us an insight into how we can streamline the Conveyancing process and create efficiencies to allow for future growth.
“We have always had a strong training programme and like to ensure we always have at least one trainee coming through. Ashley has made excellent progress at Swinburne Maddison and we are delighted to be able to offer her a training contract. Her first seat in Conveyancing means she will get some solid early experience and will be able to move on and assist other departments in the near future.”
