Switalskis has strengthened its Child Care Law department with the appointment of ex-local authority solicitor advocate, Alex Henderson.

Alex was admitted as a solicitor in March 2018 and joins Switalskis as solicitor advocate from his role in the adult and child team at Kirklees Council. Prior to this Alex worked on the childcare court team at Manchester City Council, bringing a wealth of inside working knowledge of Child Care Law in local authorities to his role at Switalskis.

Alex will strengthen the existing local authority team across Yorkshire, which includes associate solicitor Sarah Wildey and senior associate legal executive advocate Laura Taylor, representing clients before the courts at all levels.

After studying BioMedicine at Durham University, Alex received his Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Law. He was awarded a distinction in his Legal Practise Course before completing training at legal aid firm Duncan Lewis, where he was named Trainee of the Year.

Alex Henderson says, “My role at Switalskis involves representing local authorities as an agent solicitor and also affords the opportunity to represent parents and the children. This allows me to better consider all sides of the cases and use those insights to give the highest level of legal support to clients. Switalskis is a well-respected firm in this field and expanding rapidly so now feels like a great time to join the team. I’m happy to be able to continue what I’ve always done, which is to protect children.”

Says Ruth Coneron, director and solicitor advocate in Switalskis Child Care department, “Alex’s unique experience in this ever-changing and highly specialised area of law means he is well placed to offer expert advice to our clients who are involved in often life-changing proceedings. I look forward to helping support his long-term ambitions of developing his role as an advocate in this area of law."