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 […]
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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 […]
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News
Swinburne Maddison Strengthens Position as One of the North East’s Leading Law Firms in Legal 500 2027 Rankings
Swinburne Maddison has reinforced its position as one of the North East’s leading law firms after achieving another strong performance in the Legal 500 2027 rankings. The Durham-headquartered firm retained its four Tier 1 rankings across Corporate & Commercial, Commercial Property, Commercial Litigation and Social Housing, while securing 25 individual recognitions and achieving a new […]
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Can You Hide Assets to Avoid Child Maintenance? Lessons from F v EE [2026]
A recent Family Court decision has sent a clear message to those seeking to avoid their financial responsibilities following separation. In F v EE [2026] EWFC 249 (B), the court demonstrated its willingness to use its enforcement powers where a party deliberately attempted to place assets beyond reach in order to avoid meeting their child […]
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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. […]
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Careers at Swinburne Maddison
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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.