Gemma Wilkinson Head of Legal Compliance
Gemma Wilkinson is the Head of Legal Compliance at Swinburne Maddison, responsible for ensuring the firm upholds the highest regulatory standards and maintains its strong reputation for legal integrity.
Earlier in her career, she worked as a solicitor at a Newcastle based law firm, having qualified in 2009, and later progressing to Associate Solicitor, specialising in personal injury law. Gemma spent over a decade working in practice before transitioning into compliance leadership in 2021.
Gemma holds a Masters in Advanced Legal Practice from Northumbria University and an LLB Law degree from Newcastle University. Additionally, she is a Certified Data Protection Foundation & Practitioner, equipping her with the necessary skills to manage Data Protection and regulatory compliance effectively.
Gemma is known for her collaborative approach, working closely with teams across the firm to provide clear and effective compliance guidance. She is also committed to supporting the next generation of legal professionals through initiatives such as ‘Build My Skills,’ where she delivers presentations to school students on key aspects of the legal profession.
She has extensive experience working with leading law firms on compliance and risk management, ensuring regulatory adherence and best practice implementation. Before joining Swinburne Maddison in January 2025, Gemma served as Complaints & Compliance Manager at a Newcastle law firm, where she played a key role in developing and enforcing compliance strategies.
With over 15 years of post-qualification experience, she brings a wealth of legal knowledge and a strategic approach to compliance management. Her role involves overseeing the firm’s adherence to evolving legal and regulatory frameworks, managing day-to-day compliance queries, and maintaining the firm’s Lexcel accreditation.
News & Insights
Insight
Incentivising Employees through Tax-efficient Schemes and the Importance of avoiding ‘Benefits in Kind’
In the current economic climate, it is increasingly common for owner-managed businesses to incentivise key employees by offering equity. This approach can play a vital role in recruitment, retention and succession planning, while also ensuring that employees’ interests are aligned with those of the shareholders. When structured correctly, equity-based incentives can be highly effective in […]
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A new chapter for Swinburne Maddison as Managing Partner succession announced
One of the North East’s leading law firms, Swinburne Maddison LLP, has announced that Managing Partner Jonathan Moreland will retire from the role and firm on 31st December 2026, concluding a career spanning 35 years with the firm. He will be succeeded by Victoria Walton, currently Partner and Head of Commercial Property, who will take up […]
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Swinburne Maddison advises on launch of Vallum Wealth, independent wealth management consultancy
Swinburne Maddison LLP has advised on the establishment of Vallum Wealth, an independent consultancy created to support investors in understanding and navigating the wealth management market. Founded by Jonathan Brown, Vallum Wealth draws on more than 40 years of senior experience in investment and wealth management, including leadership roles at UBS, established to support investors […]
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Careers at Swinburne Maddison
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