Home Appointments & Contracts Two senior appointments at South Yorkshire law firm

Two senior appointments at South Yorkshire law firm

Switalskis Solicitors has made senior appointments to its family law team as part of plans to broaden the firm’s family services in South Yorkshire.

Alison Kitchman and Toby Netting have joined Switalskis, bringing a combined 51 years’ experience to the firm.

Toby Netting joins as head of family law in Sheffield from previous roles as head of family law at Banner Jones Solicitors and leading the private client department at Watson Esam solicitors in Sheffield. A Legal 500 recommended family lawyer, trained mediator and collaborative lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience, Toby can give clients alternative approaches to resolving disputes following separation. He is also a Resolution accredited specialist in relation to complex financial and property matters.

Alison Kitchman, who is also a Legal 500 recommended family lawyer, will initially cover family law across the breadth of South Yorkshire and in due course specifically provide those services out of Doncaster. She is a trained collaborative family lawyer with 28 years’ experience, specialising in divorce, financial matters and children and is committed to helping couples ‘divorce decently’. Alison has also held an Assessor’s role in Children Accreditation for the Law Society, chaired South Yorkshire Resolution, an association of family lawyers, and is currently an HM Coroner’s Assistant for South Yorkshire (East).


At Switalskis, Toby and Alison will help separating couples deal with all of the practical and legal issues surrounding their decision to live apart. This includes assistance with legally ending a marriage or civil partnership, issues surrounding property, finance and the care of any children.

Says Clare Peckett, director and solicitor in Switalskis family law department: “Toby and Alison are both extremely well-regarded in the industry and by clients, and both have an exceptional technical knowledge in family law.

“Toby takes a calm and constructive approach, with the ability to take the heat out of a situation and a clear, objective opinion on the best route to take. Alison is compassionate, caring and down to earth, and always has clients’ best interests and well-being at heart. We are delighted to welcome them both to our family team.”

Alison, who is originally from Doncaster, studied law at Birmingham University and College of Law Chester. In her time outside of work, Alison enjoys supporting charity challenges, military fitness training and loves travelling and flying, by any means.

Toby is a black belt, first Dan, in Shotokan karate. He is also on the board of trustees and chairs Zest, a local charity based in the Upperthorpe and Netherthorpe areas of Sheffield, which provides physical activities as well as employment, health and well-being support for the local community.