Max Atkinson Solicitor
Dispute Resolution
Max Atkinson is a Solicitor at Swinburne Maddison, with a split role between Employment Law and Dispute Resolution.
Joining the firm in 2026, Max brings strong academic foundations from his Masters in Law with First Class Honours from Northumbria University, as well as early practical experience gained during his time at another North East law firm. Max qualified as a solicitor in July 2026.
At Swinburne Maddison, Max is now broadening his training into civil and commercial disputes. He supports senior team members with legal research, drafting documents, client communication, preparing case bundles, assisting with debt recovery processes, pre‑action strategy, and settlement negotiations. As he begins his Corporate seat, he is starting to gain insight into transactional and company-focused work, supporting senior lawyers on M&A transactions and corporate governance.
Max is known for his transparent approach and commitment to ensuring clients understand the legal processes they are navigating. He is motivated by helping people through challenging situations and aims to make legal matters clearer and less stressful for those he supports.
Max has previous experience working within Family Law, managing a busy and varied caseloads. This provided him with valuable exposure to both contentious and sensitive client issues at an early stage, helping him build strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
A key early career highlight includes supporting senior lawyers in successfully defending an appeal at the Court of Appeal in July 2024.
Max is enthusiastic about continuing to expand his experience across contentious and non‑contentious work.
Articles & Insights by Max Atkinson
Insight
Employment Tribunal Delays Worsen as backlog Grows
Recent figures published by the Ministry of Justice highlight a growing and concerning trend that employment tribunal backlogs are continuing to rise, leading to significant delays for both employers and individuals bringing claims. At the end of March 2026, there were 64,000 open single claims, compared to 45,000 the previous year, a 42% increase. In […]
Read moreInsight
ADHD Discrimination Ruling:What the Khorram v Capgemini Case Means for Employers
As awareness of neurodiversity grows, so too does the legal and cultural responsibility of employers to support neurodivergent employees or workers. A recent employment tribunal ruling involving Capgemini UK has brought this issue into sharp focus, confirming that failure to make reasonable adjustments for employees with ADHD can amount to unlawful disability discrimination under the […]
Read moreNews & Insights
Insight
A Legacy Built on People, Culture and Change. The Law Society in conversation with Jonathan Moreland
As Managing Partner of Swinburne Maddison, Jonathan Moreland has overseen a period of significant growth and change, helping transform the firm from its traditional roots into one of the North East’s most respected legal practices. But ask Jonathan what he is most proud of, and his answer is not an award or a business plan. […]
Read moreInsight
Bereavement Leave Reform – A step in the right direction for Employers and Employees
On 22nd September 2026, the Government announced a new right to bereavement leave marking a significant change from the current entitlements From April 2027, employees who lose a close family member will have a legal right to take bereavement leave, while parents experiencing pregnancy loss before 24 weeks will, for the first time, be entitled […]
Read moreInsight
Do Businesses need an AI Policy? The Businesses That Benefit Most From AI May Not Be The Ones Adopting It Fastest
Artificial intelligence is rarely out of the headlines. Whether it is the latest advances in generative AI, increasing investment in AI-powered tools, or growing debate around regulation and ethics, there is no doubt that AI is changing the way businesses operate. Yet many organisations are still asking a surprisingly simple question – Do we actually […]
Read more
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.