Lewis Brown Managing Associate
Dispute Resolution
Lewis Brown is a Managing Associate in Swinburne Maddison’s Dispute Resolution team. A highly skilled and strategic litigator, he acts for major landlords, developers, local authorities, and social housing providers across the North East and beyond. Known for his technical expertise and commercial awareness, Lewis is a trusted advisor to clients facing complex and high-value property disputes.
Lewis obtained his LLB Law degree and Legal Practice Course from the University of Sheffield before qualifying as a solicitor in October 2018. He joined Swinburne Maddison in 2020 and has since played a key role in expanding the firm’s litigation offering, earning promotions to Associate in 2022 and Managing Associate in 2024.
Specialising in property litigation, Lewis is regularly instructed on complex cases involving housing disrepair, land ownership disputes, and construction-related claims. He is particularly sought after for his ability to defend social housing providers and local authorities against housing disrepair claims, often working alongside in-house legal teams to develop proactive litigation strategies. His pragmatic, results-driven approach, coupled with his deep understanding of property law, has established him as a go-to lawyer for contentious property matters in the region.
Lewis is known for his agility in handling urgent and evolving litigation, from last-minute settlements to unexpected procedural developments in court. He is a firm believer in collaboration, working closely with instructed expert surveyors and barristers, to ensure the strongest possible outcomes for his clients. Whether acting for a landlord in a high-stakes possession claim or representing multiple parties in a complex access dispute, Lewis provides clear, strategic, and commercially focused advice tailored to each client’s needs.
- Construction Disputes
- Housing Disrepair
- Social Housing
- Landlord and Tenant Disputes
- Land Ownership, Boundary and Access Disputes
- Agricultural Litigation
With a proven track record in property litigation, Lewis has successfully represented a wide range of clients in complex disputes. His expertise covers everything from possession claims and land disputes to defending large-scale housing disrepair claims. His work includes:
- Successfully defending housing disrepair claims for local authority and charity clients, achieving many outright dismissals at trial.
- Representing the owners of 13 properties in a long-running access dispute, demonstrating his ability to manage multi-party litigation effectively.
- Acting in a First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) case involving historic allegations of forgery and the validity of a Deed of Variation, alongside successfully resisting attempts to appeal by the opposing party, showcasing his ability to handle particularly sensitive and complex disputes.
- Leading the firm’s defence strategies for social housing providers, working in partnership with in-house legal teams to improve internal procedures and claim management.
- Playing a pivotal role in the rapid expansion of Swinburne Maddison’s Dispute Resolution team, helping it grow into a regional leader for property litigation.
Day to day, Lewis is involved in every aspect of property litigation, from drafting letters of claim and issuing court proceedings to engaging in settlement meetings and conducting advocacy in the County Court. He regularly advises on strategy, negotiates out-of-Court resolutions, and works with expert witnesses to build the strongest possible cases for his clients.
- Member of the Property Litigation Association
- Member of Swinburne Maddison’s CSR Committee, leading firm-wide volunteer initiatives with a focus on local environmental causes.
- A regular contributor to Resolve Magazine, providing expert commentary on property litigation trends.
- Active participant in Durham Business Club events, engaging with the region’s property and business communities.
Lewis was named as a Key Lawyer in The Legal 500 for property litigation in the 2026, 2025 and 2024 editions and was hailed for his ‘unwavering commitment to excellent client care’.
Lewis was nominated for Young Lawyer of the Year at the Insider Awards in 2023 and 2024 and further nominated for Rising Star at the Northern Law Awards 2024.
"Throughout our professional engagement, Lewis Brown consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellent client care, unparalleled quality of service, and steadfast adherence to high standards of professionalism. The team exhibited remarkable expertise in navigating complex property legal matters, ensuring that I received tailored solutions and meticulous attention to detail."
"Lewis Brown epitomises professionalism, conscientiousness, and tenacity in his role as a solicitor. With a keen eye for detail and a thorough understanding of the law, Lewis approaches each case with unwavering dedication and meticulous attention. His commitment to excellence is evident in his ability to navigate complex legal matters with precision and efficiency, ensuring that his clients receive the best possible representation."
"Key individuals are always accessible and responsive. They are caring, understanding and personable whilst maintaining a professional approach at all times. They are logical, forensic and clear in communications with all parties. A great example of this is Lewis Brown. Lewis encapsulates all these qualities and is always on-hand to provide further explanations, reassurance and information whenever required."
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