Swinburne Maddison LLP, one of the North East’s leading law firms, has officially announced that Managing Partner, Jonathan Moreland, will retire from the role and the firm on 31st December 2026.
His retirement will conclude a distinguished career spanning 35 years with the firm, marking the end of a significant era in its history. He will be succeeded by Victoria Walton, the firm’s current Partner and Head of Commercial Property, who is set to take up the position in January 2027.
An impressive legacy
Jonathan Moreland’s journey with the firm began in 1991 when he joined Swinburne Jackson and Moreland, where his late father was Senior Partner. After qualifying as a solicitor in 1993 and becoming a Partner in 1995, he played a fundamental role in the 1998 merger with Wilson Maddison, becoming one of the four founding partners of the modern Swinburne Maddison.
Since his appointment as Managing Partner in 2021, Jonathan has led the firm through a period of unprecedented growth and success. Under his leadership, the firm has achieved remarkable milestones, including:
Reflecting on these achievements, Jonathan noted: “It has been an enormous privilege and honour to lead Swinburne Maddison… the role has been about far more than leadership alone – it has meant being part of a firm where people genuinely belong, care about one another and remain deeply committed to supporting our clients”.
Carefully planned transition
A cornerstone of this announcement is the emphasis on a carefully planned transition designed to ensure business as usual for all clients. Succession planning has been a primary focus for Jonathan, with the transition being managed well in advance to provide total reassurance to both colleagues and clients.
Jonathan expressed his full confidence in his successor, stating: “Victoria has played a major role in shaping our success and truly embodies Swinburne Maddison… I can think of no one better to lead the firm into its next chapter with confidence, integrity, honour and fresh energy”.
The future
Victoria Walton brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the firm, having joined as a trainee in 1999 and becoming a Partner just seven years later. As Head of Commercial Property, she has led her team to significant regional acclaim, including winning Property Law Firm of the Year at the North East Insider Property Awards in 2023 as well as national recognition in The Legal 500, where Victoria is also ranked individually as a Leading Partner.
Victoria has served on the firm’s Management Committee for six years, working closely with Jonathan to shape the firm’s strategy. As she prepares to take the helm, she will focus on delivering a new three-year business plan while maintaining a heavy emphasis on team, culture and the development of people.
“My priorities will be supporting our team to progress their careers while continuing to deliver exceptional service to our clients,” Victoria said. “By investing in our team of experts, recruiting for cultural fit and making sure all staff have a voice we will continue to expand within the region while retaining our reputation as Durham’s leading law firm”.
Importantly, alongside her responsibilities as Managing Partner, Victoria will continue to practise within Commercial Property, acting for some of the region’s largest developers and property owners.
Continuity in leadership
To ensure the firm’s practice areas remain strong following Jonathan’s full retirement, new leadership roles have been confirmed to take effect from 1st January 2027. David Low will become Head of Dispute Resolution and Sharney Randhawa will be promoted to Head of Employment. Both have worked closely with Jonathan for many years, ensuring that the established approach and client relationships he developed will continue seamlessly.
While Jonathan’s retirement will mark the end of an era, the appointment of Victoria Walton represents a confident step forward for Swinburne Maddison as it looks to the future under new leadership and enters its next phase of growth.
