We’re Here for You: Meet the People Behind Sweeney Miller Law’s Successful Residential Conveyancing Team
Sweeney Miller Law has been a well-known player in the North East residential and commercial property law sector for over two decades, supporting its clients from its state-of-the-art modern offices in Gosforth, headed by Conveyancing Partner Damien Todd.
Under the guidance of Managing Partner, Surbhi Vedhara, the firm has continued to establish and build upon its roots in the region and now welcomes property clients from across the country, who benefit from the firm’s expertise, wide range of services – including buy-to-let and property investment transactions, mortgages and remortgages, and transfer of equity, among others – as well as the infamous North Eastern charm and hospitality.
Meet the Team
We spoke to some of the talented individuals who make up the successful, experienced Sweeney Miller Law Conveyancing team about their inside scoop on the conveyancing industry and what excites them about their work with clients in the region and indeed nationwide.
Residential Conveyancing Partner Michael Storey has seen his fair share of change in the conveyancing world since qualifying as a solicitor in 1997. “The role of a residential property solicitor in 2024 is unrecognisable from those days,” he commented, thinking about the digital transformation conveyancing has undergone to a primarily paperless environment. Despite the change to his role from qualification to Partner, Michael still loves working with clients and helping them move into their dream home, “it is very rewarding to be able to apply your legal and technical skills on a day-to-day basis in order to achieve a positive outcome for your client.”
Solicitor Melanie Finlay has worked at Sweeney Miller for 16 years and she has also seen a number of changes to conveyancing procedures and regulations, which affect both her role and her clients’ experience of the house buying and selling process. “The law and procedures relating to the conveyancing process in general are, of course, ever changing which means that we always need to be updating and adapting the procedures we follow and advice we give to clients,” she said, “also with software/technology developments there has been a huge shift in the amount of work now done online than when I first started so we deal with a much wider client base across the country as opposed to only local matters.”
Kierra Carr is one of the firm’s conveyancing team’s ‘rising stars’, having joined as a Business Admin Apprentice in 2016 and progressing her career with Sweeney Miller to her current role as Trainee Solicitor. While at Sweeney Miller, Kierra studied for and completed her LLB Law degree, with the help and guidance of the conveyancing department and wider firm. When asked why she enjoys working in conveyancing Kierra, who prides herself on her organisational skills, said “I like that there is a specific process which applies to every transaction. Some can be more complex than others, but they generally follow the same process to exchange of contracts and completion.”
According to Conveyancer David Turk, what clients might not know is that, while it might be a little dramatic at times, “working in property law is not like the TV show Suits!” but it is a great industry to work in. “The mix between great client interactions and getting stuck into the legal documents is very rewarding. There is always something new to learn with each transaction.” David is another member of Sweeney Miller’s Conveyancing team who has ascended the ranks since joining the firm in 2018; he joined as an Apprentice before being promoted to Conveyancer.
Finally, one of the firm’s newest recruits is Solicitor Emma Harm who joined the conveyancing team in 2023 after having worked with another firm. “It’s very satisfying helping people into their dream homes,” she says, “and I like that each transaction is different, so I have plenty of variety in my role!” Emma also echoed the sentiments from her colleagues about the changes to regulatory and lender requirements that she’s seen over her career in conveyancing, but that’s part of the variety that she loves!
Northern soul, national reach
Although the firm has successfully expanded its service provision nationally, it still prides itself on its ‘northern soul’, so we concluded our interviews with the team with one final, incredibly important question: what is your favourite thing about the North East?
The resounding answer? The people…and the beaches! “The North East such a spectacular place to live and work,” was Michael’s answer, and David couldn’t speak highly enough of the region’s pubs!
Sweeney Miller Law has a proven track record of conveyancing and commercial property success in the North and nationally, with the largest market share for purchase transactions. The firm’s large, experienced, diverse team, advise private and business clients on buying and selling private and commercial property, buy-to-let transactions, property auctions, transfer of equity, land acquisition, commercial leases, landlord and tenant law and business sales and purchases.
The firm’s conveyancing professionals also work closely with the Family Law and Wills, Trusts and Estates teams to assist with any other requirements related to property transactions, such as separation agreements or probate.
To speak to a member of the Sweeney Miller Law team about your property transaction, call 0345 900 5401 or email enquiries@sweeneymiller.co.uk.