June's list of partner promotions, appointments and new hires as Scottish summer brings sunny future

June’s list of partner promotions, appointments and new hires as Scottish firms show sector is booming

A gallery of the latest appointments and promotions can be found at the bottom of this list.

Aberdein Considine

Law firm Aberdein Considine has moved to strengthen its Employment team with the appointment of Marianne McJannett as Partner in the firm’s Glasgow office.

 Marianne, who qualified as a solicitor in 2012, joins Aberdein Considine from Bellwether Green, where she was Head of Employment.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining Aberdein Considine at an exciting time in its growth, and to work alongside Partners Robert Holland and Nicola Gray and the wider employment team to grow the services we are able to offer our clients.

“The culture and values of the firm were key factors in my taking up this role, in particular its commercial and strategic client focus, as well as its investment in staff growth and development as part of the supportive culture it has established.

“I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues across all departments and in each of our offices in the coming weeks and months.”

Burness Paull

Burness Paull has appointed Noel Jordan as its first chief operating officer, as the firm primes itself for its next phase of growth.

In the newly created role, Jordan will have overall responsibility for the firm’s business services and legal operations functions, working closely with its practice areas to ensure a cohesive approach to providing excellent client service.

Jordan brings considerable business acumen and technical expertise honed over a 20-year career in the professional services, financial, and utilities sectors, during which he led large, multi-office teams operating on a global basis to deliver technological transformation projects

He was formerly chief technology officer at Ashurst and prior to that held senior IT roles with commercial and consumer lender GE Capital, including chief information officer for GE UK’s financial services business and latterly group IT director.

Peter Lawson, chair at Burness Paull, said: “Noel’s experience of working with a leading international law firm and his blue-chip corporate background make him perfectly placed to take on this role. We look forward to benefitting from his significant expertise as we further develop our infrastructure and processes in support of our ambitious growth plans and leverage technology to deliver ever more efficient and client-centric solutions.”

Burness Paull has also appointed highly regarded renewables development lawyer Nicola Scott as a partner in its energy team, reinforcing the firm’s credentials in an area that continues to experience strong demand for expert legal advice in support of the energy transition.

DLA Piper

Law firm DLA Piper Scotland has bolstered its senior ranks with promotions from its Edinburgh office, as it continues to grow across key market sectors.

Tony Holloran (Litigation and Regulatory), Jamie O'Neill (Intellectual Property and Technology), Seb Galastro (Real Estate), and Jacques Camilleri (Projects) have been promoted to legal director alongside senior associate promotions, Eilidh Moncrieff and Ross Jespersen (Employment), Patricia Taylor (Litigation and Regulatory), Craig Hunter (Finance), and Iain Brown (Intellectual Property and Technology). Gaelen Doherty also joins the firm's Real Estate practice as legal director, based in Scotland.

Simon Rae, DLA Piper’s managing partner in Scotland, said: “Congratulations to our new legal directors and senior associates - these promotions recognise their hard work and dedication. We are very proud of them all for achieving this milestone moment in their careers and are confident that they will continue to go from strength to strength on the global platform that DLA Piper provides.”

Gillespie Macandrew

Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew announces the appointment of Frank Blin CBE as its new Chair, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s journey as one of Scotland’s leading independent legal firms. Blin takes on the role from Michael Shaw, who retires after a three-year term in the position during which the firm has seen significant growth.

Blin has a distinguished career spanning over 38 years with global professional services firm PWC, followed by a number of strategic advisory positions at Board and Chair Level. Blin has a proven track record of nurturing and leading business growth together with a wealth of experience in the commercial and professional services sectors in Scotland.

Commenting on his appointment, Frank Blin said: “I am delighted to be joining Gillespie Macandrew as its new chair. The firm has a reputation for excellence, an impressive track record of growth and an ambitious outlook to expand across Scotland. Working together with Robert Graham-Campbell, the GM Board and Partnership group, we have a unique opportunity to shape the future of Gillespie Macandrew, developing our relationships with clients across the UK. I look forward to working with the talented team to build on GM’s strong foundations and drive sustainable growth.”

Chief Executive Officer, Robert Graham-Campbell, added: “The appointment of Frank signals an exciting new chapter for Gillespie Macandrew. Frank’s professional experience and leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow our market presence in our four core sectors, as well as attract new talent and deepen our commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to our clients across Scotland and beyond.”

Gillespie Macandrew has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth and advises individuals, families and businesses on all areas of land and rural matters, private client, commercial real estate, energy, tax and disputes, combining a personal approach with specialist knowledge in its chosen sectors.

Gilson Gray

Full-service UK law firm Gilson Gray has appointed experienced solicitor Monika Haidar as Partner to lead its residential Conveyancing practice in London.

Monika brings over a decade of experience in residential property and inward investment, with a strong focus on the London market. She has advised overseas clients and played a key role in facilitating international capital into the city’s property sector. Her past work has involved a broad range of matters, including sales, purchases, transfers of equity, and remortgages. She is also highly experienced in real estate due diligence, having acted for private individuals, corporate investors, and Deputies appointed under Court of Protection orders.

Holmes Mackillop

Holmes Mackillop has appointed a quartet of trainee solicitors. Sarah Makin joins the Glasgow office’s dispute resolution and litigation department, supporting on a wide range of matters, including employment law, family law, and commercial and debt recovery court actions.

Also joining the Glasgow office is fellow Aberdeen University graduate Anisah Hafiz, who is part of the firm’s corporate team, where she supports a range of corporate transactional matters. During her traineeship, she will also gain experience across the property, wills, estates and future planning, and dispute resolution and litigation departments.

Sophie Brown joined Holmes Mackillop’s property team in Glasgow as a legal assistant earlier this year, before starting her traineeship this month. A graduate of Glasgow University where she completed her Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, Brown now assists with residential conveyancing matters including sales, purchases and transfers of title

Ellie MacDonald first joined Holmes Mackillop two years ago as an administrative assistant during her summer and winter breaks from university, before beginning her traineeship in its Glasgow office this month.

MacDonald is gaining valuable experience on the administration of estates as well as the preparation of wills, Powers of Attorney and executry and trust matters.

Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow

The Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow, one of Scotland’s most historic professional membership bodies, has appointed John Bett as its new Dean.

Mr Bett, a Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution and Litigation at independent Scottish legal firm Lindsays, steps up to the role from Vice-Dean, a position he has held for the past two years.

He succeeds Stephen Vallance, of Harper Macleod, who has been made an honorary member in recognition of his significant contribution to the work of the Faculty. He will remain on its governing council as Immediate Past Dean.

The new Dean’s appointment was confirmed at the body’s Annual General Meeting, held in its historic Faculty Hall home at Nelson Mandela Place in Glasgow city centre.

Craig Donnelly, a consumer and business litigation lawyer who is a Director at Holmes Mackillop, was chosen as successor to Mr Bett as Vice-Dean.

The Homes Mackillop director hopes that his appointment will shine a light on the pre-Diploma route to legal qualification.

Unlike most solicitors who follow the traditional path of obtaining a university law degree, Donnelly completed a three-year pre-Diploma training contract with a firm of solicitors while independently studying for and passing the Law Society of Scotland’s exams.

“Balancing full-time work with self-study was challenging, and I spent much of that time preparing in the Faculty’s library, so I have a particular affection for and connection with the building and institution,” he said.

“As the ‘pre-Diploma’ route remains a little-known but important path to qualification, during my term as Vice-Dean, I hope to raise awareness of this alternative route, which can offer opportunities to those for whom university isn’t a viable option or, for those like me, who come to the legal profession later in life,” he added.

The AGM also saw special recognition for Aisha Anwar, Sheriff Principal of Glasgow and Strathkelvin and President of the Sheriff Appeal Court.

She was granted honorary membership of the Royal Faculty in recognition of her distinguished and continued contribution to the legal profession in Glasgow, West Central Scotland and throughout the country.

Scottish Arbitration Centre

The Board of the Scottish Arbitration Centre has appointed Rebecca Wyke as a Deputy Registrar.

Rebecca becomes Deputy Registrar to support Duncan Bagshaw and the Court.  She is an Associate at Howard Kennedy in London.  Rebecca advises corporate and private clients in the UK and internationally on commercial disputes across a range of sectors.  She will be seconded from her day-to-day role as required to support the Centre.

Duncan said: “I am delighted to announce that the Board of the Centre has decided to appoint Rebecca as the Deputy Registrar.  Having worked with Rebecca for years, I appreciate that there is no better lawyer to support me as Registrar, and I look forward to working with her going forward.”

Gillian Carmichael Lemaire, Chair of the Board of the Centre, said: “The Board has appointed Rebecca as our Deputy Registrar because of her experience in international arbitration.  Her Edinburgh heritage has also been significant in our decision, and we very much look forward to welcoming her to the staff team.”

Rebecca added: “I am honoured to take up this role supporting Duncan, the Court and the aims and objectives of the Scottish Arbitration Centre.  Coming from Edinburgh, I am very keen to associate myself with the Centre and its ambitions, and look forward to working with Duncan, the Court, the Executive and the Board as we develop the Centre and its services.  Howard Kennedy is delighted to continue its support for the Scottish Arbitration Centre.”

Scullion LAW

Scullion LAW has welcomed Darren Fleming to their Road Traffic and Criminal Law Team. Darren, a top-notch Solicitor Advocate, brings sought-after experience from the High Court, having worked alongside some of Scotland’s leading King's Counsel (KC) in the most talked-about cases.

Kris Buchanan, Head of the Road Traffic and Criminal Law Team says, “Darren brings to the team a wealth of knowledge and experience from the High Court, having acted as Junior Counsel to some of the country’s leading KC’s, and in some of the highest profile cases in recent years. There are few Solicitor Advocates in the country who have had the exposure to the range and complexity of cases that Darren has, and we are delighted that he agreed to join our expanding team.”

Thorntons

Leading independent Scottish law firm Thorntons has expanded its market-leading Commercial Real Estate team, with the appointment of two highly experienced experts.

Simone Young, who has more than 25 years’ experience of advising all parties involved in the construction sector, joins as partner, and Stephanie Zak, who has worked in both practice and industry during her 17-year career, joins the firm as commercial real estate consultant.

Ewan Miller, head of Business Law at Thorntons, said: “Simone and Stephanie’s appointments are a key milestone in our continued growth. By expanding our construction law and commercial real estate services, we are strengthening our ability to offer joined-up, sector-specific advice to clients involved in commercial property and development.”

Elsewhere at Thorntons, the firm has announced the promotion of three new partners as part of a significant round of senior appointments across its offices, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing talent, building specialist expertise and accelerating success for clients, colleagues and communities in Scotland.

Lisa Hainey (private client, Cupar), Michael Wells (dispute resolution and claims, Edinburgh), and Robin Dunlop (land and rural business, Edinburgh) have all been promoted to partner. Their appointments highlight Thorntons’ continued focus on developing future leadership from within and investing in key practice areas where client demand continues to grow.