Corporate Lawyer in Durham

Named as a Top-tier corporate and commercial team in The Legal 500 for eight consecutive years and ranked in the top 10 for M&A work in the North East by Experian Market IQ, regularly as the only regional firm outside of Newcastle. We have a proven track record of supporting clients with everything from business start-ups to joint ventures and partnerships, with a strong focus on transactional M&A work. Our clients are business owners, executives and professionals whose time is valuable. We communicate succinctly, proactively and only when needed, focusing on issues that genuinely impact risk, value and timelines. We maintain transaction momentum, manage expectations transparently, and allocate resources intelligently, drawing on a blend of solicitors, trainees and highly skilled administrative support. Many of the transactions that we advise upon involve a cross‑border element. Our clients range from SMEs and OMBs to national corporates and entities with turnover of up to £1bn, including listed companies.

We continue to grow year on year and are looking for a skilled corporate lawyer to join our existing 13-person corporate team. The team acts for a range of clients across a variety of sectors and in the year just ended acted on multiple transactions each with a deal value in excess of £20m. We are looking for someone who is able to work as part of a strong team but is confident to work independently and manage their own caseload. The role will cover all aspects of work within the Corporate team, including:

• solvent corporate group reorganisations;
• joint ventures;
• corporate governance (including shareholder agreements);
• share incentive schemes;
• banking and financing;

but with a primary focus on mid market M&A and corporate finance - up to £25m larger M&A and corporate finance – up to c£60m MBO, MBIs; and private equity, venture capital and angel funding. The work is wide ranging and the successful candidate will be afforded the opportunity to be heavily involved in all types of work, including the most complex transactions across regional and national instructions, applying excellent legal skills and knowledge but also project management and leadership skills. Transactions are typically partner led, but Swinburne Maddison lawyers are given the opportunity to be involved in all transaction levels and will be responsible for their own client contacts and independent tasks and instructions as well as supporting the partners and other team members. Lawyers will also regularly lead on their own instructions at appropriate levels with regular and consistent support from senior members of the team where needed.

The successful candidate for this role will be a qualified lawyer with at least 2 years’ PQE and demonstrable recent relevant experience. The main attributes we look for, but are not limited to, are:

• being pro-active in terms of managing workload and continual development of legal skills;
• possessing excellent organisation skills and having exceptional attention to detail;
• a proven ability to meet targets on a consistent basis;
• strong communication skills and a proven ability to work and build relationships with both clients and the wider professional community;
• being able to manage projects, lead teams and supervise work of junior colleagues;
• having an aptitude to develop your career, the Corporate department and the wider firm.

Applications close on Friday 17 July 2026.

We’re Swinburne Maddison, a modern law firm rooted in traditional values like trust, care, collaboration, and agility. These principles have guided us for over 25 years, and they remain at our core. As an award-winning firm, we proudly build on our rich heritage while adapting to the evolving needs of our clients. We’re committed to doing things the right way, putting people first and delivering exceptional service. Life at Swinburne Maddison is all about growth, opportunity, and being surrounded by great people. We believe in pushing boundaries, fostering talent, and creating an environment where people thrive. In 2025, we were named Law Firm of the Year at the Northern Law Awards, with four teams ranked Tier One in The Legal 500 and 22 lawyers individually recognised.

When you join Swinburne Maddison, you’re not just stepping into a job, you’re joining a team that genuinely wants you to enjoy your work, build your career and feel supported along the way. Here’s what you can expect when you join us:

• A competitive salary tailored to your experience
• Hybrid working options after three months (work-life balance matters!)
• Clear career progression with a published professional development plan
• Generous holiday allowance plus the option to buy extra days
• Pension salary sacrifice scheme to help your money go further
• Health cashback plan to claim back the cost of everyday healthcare
• Perkbox membership – packed with discounts, freebies, and wellness perks
• Enhanced family leave to support you through life’s important moments
• Death in service benefit for peace of mind
• A friendly, down-to-earth team that really values collaboration and support
• Collaborative working in a flexible and forward-thinking environment