Switalskis promotes talent across key departments

31 Jan 2025Appointments

Switalskis Solicitors has announced 17 promotions across ten departments, recognising outstanding contributions in both legal and support teams

Seven individuals have advanced to senior associate roles, including Rosie Dodds (personal injury), Kate Gelder (clinical negligence), Danielle Smithurst and Nichola Burridge-Todd (Court of Protection), Sharon Woodward (wills and probate), Saima Ul-Haq (commercial property), and Ian Alderson (IT).

The clinical negligence department sees continued growth, with Heather Kolar, Paisley Laws, Chantelle Cooper, and Kimberley Bradfield promoted to associates. Samantha Downes (family law), Maria Dallas (personal injury), and Clare Wraight (costs) also achieved associate status, alongside property development specialists Emma Millington and Ellie Johnson, and Rafal Siwocha from IT.

These advancements stem from Switalskis’ Career Development Programme, designed to provide clear, transparent progression paths. Ruth Coneron, chair of the programme, highlighted its impact: “Seeing colleagues achieve their career goals through hard work and dedication is incredibly rewarding.”

John Durkan, managing director, praised the promotions, stating: “Our people are our greatest asset. Their expertise ensures the best outcomes for our clients. Congratulations to everyone promoted.”

Switalskis, recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work, employs 395 professionals across Yorkshire and London. With a focus on career development, diversity, and accessibility, the firm continues to build on its reputation for excellence.

Photo - Newly promoted Switalskis employees with Switalskis director Lisa Swales (sixth from left): (l-r) Clare Wraight, Samantha Downes, Paisley Laws, Danielle Smithurst, Saima Ul-Haq, Lisa Swales, director, Chantelle Cooper, Nichola Burridge-Todd, Ellie Johnson, Rosie Dodds, Emma Millington, Sharon Woodward

Legal News desk contact: editorial@solicitorsjournal.com

Latest Articles

Ministry of Defence faces major backlash

A legal case involving a data breach has led to increased fears for the lives of Afghan citizens

EU medical devices regulation

The EU’s proposed orphan and breakthrough device designations would formalise accelerated regulatory pathways for high-need medical technologies, with significant implications for conformity assessment, clinical evidence thresholds and notified body obligations under the MDR and IVDR

UK restructuring and insolvency in a changing legal landscape

Legal, procedural and cross-border reforms will shape how UK businesses and practitioners navigate insolvency risk in 2026

CLOs evolve as strategic leaders in Europe

The 2026 European CLO Survey reveals legal leaders are crucial in shaping corporate strategies amid challenges

IAA shines light on first report

The Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) has published its first Annual Report, marking a significant milestone as the organisation enters a new chapter under fresh leadership

National Sickie Day brings grim warning

Today marks National Sickie Day, the last before significant law changes pose financial challenges for employers

Mediation experts voice concerns about funding

Family mediation experts are calling for government clarity on the future of the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme

Litigation funding after PACCAR: adaptation and growth

How England’s litigation funding market is adapting post-PACCAR amid judicial flexibility, legislative signals, and continued expansion

Winston and Taylor Wessing merge to form new firm

Winston & Strawn and Taylor Wessing have voted to combine, creating a major transatlantic law firm

Mishcon de Reya appoints new leader

Mishcon de Reya has announced the election of Daniel Naftalin as its new Managing Partner, set to take office in summer 2026 after a transitional period

Fletchers comments on clinical negligence report

Peter Haden, chief executive of Fletchers, has welcomed the Public Accounts Committee's report on clinical negligence highlighting its human and financial impact and the importance of improved collaborative claims resolution methods

Ex-LCF CEO and wife face contempt

Michael and Debbie Thomson, former LCF CEO and his wife, admit to multiple court order breaches

Youth justice sees record lows in 2024

Recent statistics highlight significant reductions in youth justice involvement, but systemic delays and biases pose risks for progress

Government caps ground rents for leases

The UK government has announced a cap on ground rents in older leases, sparking mixed reactions among experts

Major boost for legal aid fees

Access to justice in Scotland has been significantly improved with a 13% increase in all legal aid fees following a sustained campaign from the Law Society of Scotland

SJ Interview: Joelle Grogan

Dr Joelle Grogan is a legal scholar specialising in the rule of law in times of crisis. She presents The Law Show on BBC Radio 4, and is Co-Academic Director of the Rule of Law Clinic at the CEU Democracy Institute (Budapest), and a Senior Research Fellow at the UCD Sutherland School of Law. Her work focuses on constitutional accountability, emergency powers, and legal misinformation. In this interview, she examines the pressures facing the rule of law in the UK, from executive power and court delays to media narratives, emergencies, and the impact of AI on legal practice.

AI in Law: responsibility never delegated

As AI becomes routine in legal practice, regulators and courts insist accountability stays firmly with the human professional