A rapidly-growing law firm has taken on two new solicitors as it continues to expand.
Swayne Johnson, founded in 1853 and one of the oldest legal practices in Wales, has made the new appointments to its offices in Llandudno and Tattenhall, near Chester.
Sian Thompson, originally from Colwyn Bay, is returning to North Wales after 20 years specialising in private client work in the Midlands and Yorkshire while Jennifer Howell, from Winsford, also a private client expert, will be based at Tattenhall.
The company now has six offices across North Wales and Cheshire, from Bangor in the west to Tattenhall, Chester, in the east with a total workforce of 52, including eight trainee legal assistants, with 18 staff dedicated to private client law.
Swayne Johnson Managing Director Sarah Noton said: “We’re delighted to be able to make two more high calibre appointments as we continue an expansion that has seen us grow from two offices to six in the last eight years.
“We cover a huge geographical area and provide a comprehensive range of services with real expertise as well so that clients don’t need to look to firms from outside the area for the legal skills they need.
“We cover just about every aspect of the law and we have experts in most fields across the group which is very important in these increasingly complex times so our clients can be secure in the knowledge they have expert legal help right on their doorstep without having to go to Liverpool, Manchester or further afield.”
Sian, 46, who went to Rydal School and studied Law at Leicester University and Chester Law College has specialised in Family Law before moving into private client work.
She said: “It’s a very people-orientated area and in my last job in Leeds I was head of private client work which includes wills and probates but also Court of Protection which helps vulnerable people.
“I have acted as a personal deputy which is about looking after people who may have learning difficulties, brain injury or dementia and their money and affairs.”
Sian, whose parents still live in Colwyn Bay, has moved to Rhos on Sea and plays classical guitar and the ukulele as well as hockey.
Jennifer, 35, went to Weaverham High School and gained her Law degree at the University of Central Lancashire, in Preston, and Chester Law College, and has worked in Cheshire and Liverpool where she set up a new office and was responsible for marketing as well as private client and Court of Protection work.
She said: “I like to call myself an elderly or vulnerable client care solicitor. Most of my work comes from elderly people and it’s important to give them a proper level of care and professionalism.
“The best part of the job is being out seeing clients and they’re so appreciative of your time because for many of them you might be the only person they’ve spoken to all day.
“They need someone they can trust, a friendly face they can speak to. Loneliness is a big thing for older people and I’ve been very involved with a loneliness charity in Liverpool.”
Liverpool fan Jennifer is also a keen runner and mountain biker, trail-riding in Cheshire’s Delamere Forest.
Sarah Noton added: “A big part of what we do at Swayne Johnson is about relationships. Clients don’t want faceless people, they want someone who can literally hold their hand for them and that’s what Sian and Jennifer will bring to their roles.”
For more on Swayne Johnson go to http://www.swaynejohnson.com/
