A fast-growing North Wales law firm has strengthened its property team after a young lawyer inspired by TV housing shows qualified as a solicitor.
Emily Brayford, 29, has qualified at Swayne Johnson where she works in the property department advising homebuyers from the firm’s Mold office.
Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, Emily now lives in Oakenholt, in Flintshire, and credits programmes like Homes Under the Hammer with sparking her interest in property law.
She went on to study law at Chester University after watching the film, Legally Blonde, completing both her law degree and master’s before qualifying while working full time.
Emily said: “At the time, none of my family had ever been to university so I really had to knuckle down but Chester University was really good and I passed my Batchelor of Law degree there before having a break from full-time education.
“I took a job with a property management firm in Flintshire for two or three years and that was a good grounding for me but at the same time I was spending my weekends studying for my post-graduate qualifications.
“My boyfriend is a plumber and we had a house and a mortgage so my weekends were spent studying and week nights as well if I had tests coming up but I got there in the end and passed my Masters and LPC – Legal Practice Course.”
Emily joined a law firm on the Wirral but was attracted to apply to Swayne Johnson and is glad she made the switch: “It was a much better fit for me,” she said.
“I wanted somewhere I could provide a good service and legal advice to help people and make an impact on their lives – Swayne Johnson are very much focused on that.
“Our head of department is Michael Tree, and he has been amazing. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to be my mentor.
“Swayne Johnson are also very supportive of local charities and organisations and donate from their own charitable fund.
“I volunteer for a food poverty charity which people in need can reach out to and we collect donations of food from supermarkets that’s going to landfill and distribute it to families in need.
“I would hate to be in that position myself. If I can do something to help them get back on their feet I’m happy to do so.”
Away from work Emily and her partner enjoy walks with their dachshund, Rocky: “The most stubborn creature I’ve ever met in my life and I love him to bits”, she said.
“We also love travelling and have been to a lot of places in Spain and in September we were at a music festival in Kentucky. We’ve also been to Thailand and Vietnam and would like to see more of South East Asia.”
Swayne Johnson Managing Director Lynette Viney-Passig said: “We’re so proud of Emily. She has worked extremely hard to qualify as a solicitor. It shows great determination to combine your studies with a full-time job.
“Emily is well suited to her job. Buying and selling property is a huge investment and represents an important milestone for most but it is often also very stressful.
“Emily’s dedication to her work and to delivering a high standard of client care leave her client’s feeling well supported and cared for.
“Our property department is an integral part of the comprehensive range of services we provide across a wide area of law and Michael Tree and his team are property experts who really care.
“At Swayne Johnson we believe in building relationships with the people who come through our doors and providing them with the reassurance that they’re dealing with people who know and understand them and those are qualities that Emily brings to her role.”
