JOIN OUR TEAM!
We are always looking for lawyers who are keen to join our team
Interested? Take a look at our current vacancies!
We are always looking for talented individuals to join the Sweeney Miller team and therefore invite any speculative applications for all levels within the firm, regardless of whether or not there are any specific vacancies advertised.
Staff Benefits
- Private healthcare for primary fee earners
- Birthday holiday
- Cycle to work scheme
- Metro pass scheme
- Free flu jab
- Beyond card
- Free Will
- Free conveyancing for primary home
- Death in service insurance
- 5 days study leave plus exam days for Solicitor Apprentices
- 2 months full maternity pay (after 12 months service)
- 3 months full maternity pay (after 3 years service)
- Wellbeing support
- Contribution to professional qualifications (agreed on a case by case basis)
- £50 Amazon voucher for 3rd and 4th work anniversary
- £100 Amazon voucher for 5th work anniversary and each one after
Life at Sweeney Miller Law
We understand that the team is the core of the firm, so we work hard to ensure the wellbeing and development of all of our staff, and aim to continually support our team members, both professionally and personally, throughout their careers at the firm.
“The personal touch is what I enjoy the most, there is always someone around to guide you if you need help and that’s what I feel you don’t always get at other firms. We are all working towards the same goal and the training and support from colleagues you get is amazing, just what you need to progress in this competitive field. Also I’d be lying if I didn’t say I enjoy the social events and Pizza Tuesday!”
Elizabeth Cowley, Trainee Solicitor
Training and development
We are committed to the development of our team, and this is evidenced by the fact that all of our equity partners started their careers at the firm as paralegals before training, qualifying as solicitors and then becoming partners at Sweeney Miller.
Fostering career progression is so key to the firm that we have developed our own bespoke in-house training programme designed to provide school leavers and graduates with structured, vocational based learning. The programme focusses on ensuring service standards, procedures, communication skills, administration, and technical expertise, and looks to embed the core values of the firm – ‘The Sweeney Miller Way’ – from the start.
Wellbeing support
Several members of the firm, all senior lawyers or partners, have been trained as Mental Health England first aiders able to identify and assist with early signs of any staff in difficulty. In addition, the firm has access to a qualified counsellor, where necessary, for the benefit of staff, and our staff are encouraged to ask for support when needed.
“I love working at Sweeney Miller as the firm provides a work life balance and room to grow within the company.”
Natalie Mowforth, Head of File Opening
Environmental, Social & Governance
Sweeney Miller Law is committed to its Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) principles. These include a range of initiatives to encourage sustainable working practices at the firm, integration with the communities that we work alongside, as well as providing clear and ongoing guidance and support in relation to every member of the team's professional and regulatory obligations. Further details about what we are doing can be found on our Environmental, Social & Governance pages.
Education
We have a strong culture of promoting from within and investing in our people. A large number of our graduate paralegals go on to do their training contracts with the firm each year. We also continue to develop lawyers of the future through the solicitor apprenticeship, licensed conveyancer and CILEX routes. In collaboration with Newcastle University and Sunderland University, the firm has established an annual ‘Sweeney Miller Scholarship Grant’, providing scholarships for students interested in a career in the law. Students are given the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, as well as winning a cash prize.
“I like working at Sweeney Miller because of the friendly atmosphere in the workplace. There is constant training and support when and if required. I like being able to work on the job whilst studying alongside. The apprenticeship and firm has helped me gain practical skills and legal knowledge at the same time.”
Kierra Carr, Trainee Solicitor
Social and team building
We’re keen to encourage a culture of collaboration and communication amongst the whole team, across both sites, so we have a calendar of events and initiatives to allow colleagues to get to know one another and avoid silo working:
- Staff quizzes
- Summer social
- Annual Christmas party
- Monthly pizza Tuesday
- Snacks provided and Nespresso machine in each office
- Cross-site visits between Newcastle and Sunderland
- Lunchtime walking groups
- Charity fundraising events including coffee mornings and bake-offs
- Celebration days
- Easter egg
- Table tennis and pool tables at our Sunderland office
- Chess and table tennis leagues in our Sunderland office
- Dress for the day policy
- And we are happy to consider any new ideas our colleagues put forward (within reason)!
AVAILABLE VACANCIES
Open Positions
Sweeney Miller Law is more than your average law firm. From our base here in the North East we have grown rapidly to become one of the region’s leading legal businesses.
At Sweeney Miller Law we are committed to providing the best possible service for our clients and a supportive and inclusive workplace for our staff. In order to achieve these goals, we ensure that we incorporate our four firm values of Excellence, Inclusion, Honesty and Professionalism into every interaction we have with our clients and colleagues so that all our staff have the same ‘Sweeney Miller style’ and our clients can be guaranteed the same levelled of service regardless of which department or person they are dealing with.
The firm has an unrivalled reputation in the region.
Current Vacancies
Legal Receptionists
We have vacancies for a full time and part time Legal Receptionist in our Newcastle office.
General duties include:
- Managing a very busy switchboard and directing incoming calls to relevant team members
- Meeting and greeting visitors to the Newcastle office
- Ensuring the reception area is kept tidy and presentable
- Ensuring meetingt rooms are set up and refreshments organised
- Dealing with incoming and outgoing posts
The successful candidates will have:
- Ability to handle a large volume of calls
- Excellent telephone manner
- Pleasant attitude
- Excellent time-keeping and organisational skills
- Proficient in the use of MS Outlook
The full time role is Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm with an hour for lunch.
The part time role is on a fixed term 1 year contract to commence in January 2025 and is 21 hours per week (Monday to Wednesday 9am - 5pm with an hour for lunch.
To apply, please email your CV and covering letter to our Senior Office Manager, Sarah Dodds at sarah.dodds@sweeneymiller.co.uk
Conveyancing Positions
Due to continued and planned expansion, we are looking to recruit to a number of conveyancing positions at all levels in both our Newcastle or Sunderland offices.
We are looking for Solicitors, Fee Earners and Conveyancing Assistants and experience in residential conveyancing is essential for all of these vacancies. Successful candidates will have excellent customer service skills and enjoy working in a busy and forward-thinking property law environment.
The successful candidates will have:
- Excellent customer service and organisations skills
- Excellent telephone manner
- Ability to work under pressure
- Good attention to detail
To apply, please email your CV and covering letter to our Senior Office Manager, Sarah Dodds at sarah.dodds@sweeneymiller.co.uk