Swinburne Maddison Expands Private Client Team Following Major Investment
Swinburne Maddison, one of the North East’s leading full-service law firms, has significantly expanded its Private Client team increasing the firm’s capacity to take on complex private client instructions across the North East and beyond.
Following major investment in people, expertise and resources, the firm has brought together its strongest Private Client team to date. The expanded department combines established specialists with new and emerging talent, supported by four dedicated legal assistants.
The growth follows the appointment of Laura Murphy as Head of Private Client and Senior Managing Associate in May 2026. Working alongside Laura Murphy are longstanding members of the department Amy Pyman, Managing Associate, and Akkelin Harris, Consultant, providing continuity and extensive experience in complex private client matters.
The team has grown further with the appointments of Hope Gallant, Solicitor, who joined in January 2026; Jennifer Robinson, Associate Solicitor, who joined in June 2026; and Joanna Nolan, Solicitor, who joined in July 2026. Danielle Cruickshank also returned to the firm as a Paralegal in May 2026, bringing valuable previous experience of the department and its clients. Imogen Bosanko qualified into the Private Client team on the 1st October 2026, having undertaken her training contract at the firm, further strengthening its future development.
The expansion gives Swinburne Maddison greater capacity to support individuals, families, landowners and business owners with complex Wills, Trusts and Probate instructions. The department advises on wills, trusts, probate and estate administration, powers of attorney, succession planning and the management of valuable or complex estates.
Its lawyers are particularly experienced in matters involving business interests, agricultural assets, valuable property, complex family arrangements and long-term succession planning. Advice is tailored to the client’s individual circumstances, with a focus on providing clear and practical guidance through decisions that can carry significant personal, financial and family implications.
Clients can also draw on expertise from across Swinburne Maddison. The Private Client team works closely with colleagues in Corporate, Commercial Property, Residential
Conveyancing, Family Law and Contested Probate to provide joined-up advice where an instruction extends beyond traditional Wills, Trusts and Probate work.
The department’s technical strength is reflected in its professional credentials. Many of the lawyers are qualified members of STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, demonstrating specialist expertise in private wealth and succession planning.
The expansion coincides with further recognition for Swinburne Maddison in the 2027 edition of The Legal 500. The firm continues to be recognised as a leading firm for Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate, underlining the strength and depth of its Private Client offering. Amy Pyman has achieved a new Leading Associate ranking, while Laura Murphy, Akkelin Harris and Hope Gallant have been recognised as Key Lawyers.
The results also bring recognition for the firm’s Contentious Trusts and Probate arm, which has been named a Firm to Watch. This marks an important step in the continued development of this specialist practice area and complements the firm’s established expertise in non-contentious private client matters.
Laura Murphy, Senior Managing Associate and Head of Private Client at Swinburne Maddison, said:
“Since becoming Head of Private Client in May, my focus has been on building a team that combines strong technical expertise with an exceptional level of client care.
“The expansion gives us greater capacity to undertake complex matters involving substantial estates, business interests, agricultural assets and intricate family circumstances. We have experienced lawyers and dedicated support staff in place, allowing us to provide each client with clear, practical and carefully considered advice.
“Our ability to work closely with specialists across the wider firm is also a real strength. Wills, Trusts and Probate instructions will often overlap with family, property, business or contentious matters, and our full-service approach means clients can access that wider expertise when they need it.
“I am incredibly proud of the team we have built and excited about the future of the department.”
Jonathan Moreland, Managing Partner at Swinburne Maddison, said:
“This expansion represents a significant investment by the firm and has created the strongest Private Client team we have ever had.
“The department combines experienced STEP-qualified specialists, talented lawyers at different stages of their careers and a strong support team. Together, they give us the depth of expertise and capacity needed to take on more complex instructions while continuing to provide the personal service our clients expect.
“Wills, Trusts and Probate remains an important strategic area for Swinburne Maddison. With the team now in place, we are exceptionally well positioned to meet growing demand from individuals, families, landowners and business owners across the North East and beyond.”
The expansion reflects Swinburne Maddison’s continued investment in its people and its commitment to providing specialist, practical advice across Wills, Trusts and Probate, private wealth, estate planning and succession matters.
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