Grace Ridsdale Trainee Solicitor
Trainees
Grace Ridsdale is a Trainee Solicitor at Swinburne Maddison, currently gaining experience in various departments throughout the firm, including Dispute Resolution, Private Client, Corporate, and Commercial Property law. She began her legal career at Swinburne Maddison in 2021 as a Legal Secretary while completing her studies at Northumbria University. After successfully completing her LLM in Legal Practice, Grace commenced her Training Contract in September 2023.
Grace is driven by a strong desire to help clients achieve their goals, whether it’s securing the future of their loved ones or resolving complex legal challenges. She aims to qualify as a Solicitor in September 2025 and aspires to build a strong client base founded on trust and confidence, while also mentoring junior lawyers in the future.
Throughout her training contract, Grace has supported a number of partners and senior lawyers across a range of matters.
During her period working in the Private Client team, she drafted Wills, prepared Lasting Powers of Attorney, managed Trusts, and administered estates. A career highlight for Grace was participating in the Will Aid Scheme, where she drafted over 30 Wills during the month of November 2023. This experience allowed her to further hone her skills in drafting and client care, while also contributing to a charitable cause.
Grace’s experience within the Corporate team saw her assisting with sales and acquisitions, gaining a solid understanding of the intricacies of corporate transactions. Her seat in the Commercial Property team involved working on refinance transactions, transfers of property portfolios, and property sales and purchases.
Currently, Grace is in the Litigation team, where she is assisting with matters such as contentious probate, housing disrepair and possession. She has demonstrated a strong ability to manage complex matters with attention to detail and diligence.
Extracurricular:
- Grace participates in the Building My Skills Programme by the Esh Group, delivering presentations to local students about careers in law and helping them with CV writing.
- She is a Member of Swinburne Maddison’s Social Committee, organising events throughout the year that bring the team together.
- Grace is also a member of the Swinburne Maddison Book Club.
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Careers at Swinburne Maddison
Bright futures built together.
Ok, so you’ve come this far where could the next step take you?
We’re always on the lookout for great people to join our team but we also want to make sure we are the right fit for each other.
Here, your career is more than a job—it’s a journey. From day one, you’ll feel supported to grow, develop your skills, and thrive alongside a team that values collaboration and care. Whether you’re a legal eagle or a support extraordinaire, we focus on helping you succeed in an environment where you truly belong. Let’s achieve great things together.