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.
About Sweeney Miller
Founded in Sunderland in 2002, Sweeney Miller Law has over the past 20 years gone from strength to strength. Increasing client demand and impressive growth led to the firm opening a second office in Newcastle in 2014.
We support businesses and individuals both locally and across the UK, including London, on a range of matters from residential conveyancing, family and divorce, wills and probate, to dispute resolution, commercial property, licensing and corporate matters.
Our team of approachable and friendly professionals aim to make our clients always feel comfortable and in control of their own legal affairs.
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, Conveyancing Assistant
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
- Office drinks
- Monthly pizza Tuesday
- Cross-site visits between Newcastle and Sunderland
- Bake-offs
- Lunchtime walking groups
- Charity fundraising opportunities
- Celebration days
- Nespresso machine in each office
- Table tennis tables at 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.
Legal Receptionist
Sweeney Miller Law are looking for a part time experienced Receptionist to join our Sunderland office.
General duties as the Receptionist will include:
- Managing a very busy switchboard and directing incoming calls to the relevant people
- Meeting and greeting visitors to the office
- Ensuring the Reception area is kept tidy and presentable
- Ensuring meeting rooms are set up and refreshments organised
- Dealing with incoming and outgoing post
The following skills will be required for the role:
- Good telephone manner
- Pleasant attitude
- Ability to handle a large volume of calls
- Excellent time-keeping and organisational skills
- Proficient use of MS Outlook
This is a brilliant opportunity for an experienced Receptionist to join one of the region’s leading legal businesses and utilise their skills set.
Part-time hours: 14 hours per week Monday and Tuesday 9-5pm with 1 hour unpaid lunch break.
If you would like to apply for this role then please send your CV and covering letter to Sarah Dodds sarah@sweeneymiller.co.uk.
Private Client Solicitor
Due to significant growth in this department, we are looking to appoint an experienced Private Client Solicitor with experience in independently handling your own caseload.
The position can be accommodated in either our Sunderland or Newcastle offices. Part-time candidates can also be considered.
The role would be suited to someone with a minimum of 3 years PQE (ideally 5 PQE) in Private Client with strong experience in dealing with a general caseload comprising complex Wills, LPAs, Probate and Estate Administration (both taxable and non-table estates), lifetime estates and trust planning and advising on IHT.
STEP membership is preferable but not essential. There will be a level of business development that will be required in this role.
We are looking for a motivated and organised individual who is committed to delivering exceptional customer care to a wide range of clients. Good interpersonal skills and team spirit are essential attributes for the role.
What’s on offer:
- A competitive salary (commensurate with experience)
- 28 days holiday plus birthday holiday and a fantastic range of other benefits
- Free on-site parking
- Private health insurance
- Group death in service cover
Opportunities are also available for career progression. Hybrid working can be discussed if required after an initial period in the office.
If you would like to apply for this role then please send your CV and covering letter to Sarah Dodds sarah@sweeneymiller.co.uk.