Durham City’s leading law firm, Swinburne Maddison LLP (Swinburne Maddison) has extended its family team with the appointment of a highly experienced family lawyer who is also a Deputy District Judge.
Natalia Lalas, who was appointed a Deputy District Judge in March this year, has Higher Rights of Audience, which allow her to represent clients in all courts. She was also the first solicitor in the Teesside area to qualify as a collaborative lawyer. She has lectured on the law relating to financial cases following divorce and acts as a specialist family solicitor for Durham Police Federation, representing police officers and employees across a wide range of issues.
She joins Swinburne Maddison as an associate solicitor and will work with clients seeking advice on divorce, financial matters, children, cohabitees and surrogacy.
Joining a well-established department within the firm, she will complement the skills of the existing team and create strength in depth within the department, helping to further consolidate the firm’s prominent position in the marketplace.
Excited to develop the role, she said: “Swinburne Maddison is an award-winning law firm which already has an outstanding reputation for its work across all service lines and I am delighted to have the opportunity to become part of its highly talented team.
“This is a superb opportunity to build on my experience and to enhance the range of legal support already on offer at the firm within the family department.”
Natalia was ranked in The Legal 500 UK 2019 edition as a recommended family lawyer. She is noted for her ‘clear communication style’, and ‘focused advice’ for finance work as well as her niche in civil partnership and international surrogacy issues.
Commenting on Natalia’s appointment, partner Jonathan Moreland said: “Natalia is an exceptional hire for the firm, and it is a pleasure to welcome a lawyer of her calibre to the team. Not only is she Joint Chair of the Collaborative Family Law North East Group which sees her heavily involved in resolving financial and children issues outside of court, but of particular note, is her experience in the area of surrogacy law, both here and abroad. This expertise will allow Swinburne Maddison to confidently extend its range of legal advice for clients in this area.”
