'Largest round of promotions' in years among bumper list of July promotions, hires and partnerships across Scottish legal sector

The latest list of partnerships, promotions, appointments and new hires includes a number of senior moves and appointments.

Freeths

Freeths has appointed Partner Alastair Frood to its Commercial Dispute Resolution team in Glasgow, as the firm continues to invest in building a full-service offering in Scotland.

He joins from Eversheds Sutherland, where he served as Head of Litigation in Scotland and led the development of the firm’s commercial litigation practice, significantly growing both team capability and fee income.

Alastair brings more than 30 years’ experience in dispute resolution, advising on complex commercial litigation, financial and regulatory disputes, insolvency–related litigation and professional negligence claims.

Throughout his career, Alastair has built and scaled litigation teams at leading firms including Shepherd and Wedderburn and DLA Piper, establishing strong relationships with major financial institutions, insolvency practitioners and professional services firms. His practice spans high–value and often complex disputes across the Court of Session, arbitration and mediation, frequently involving multi–party and cross–border elements.

Commenting on Alastair’s arrival, Joint Managing Partner of Freeths Glasgow Nick Taylor said: “Alastair’s track record in building high–performing litigation teams and advising on significant, high–value disputes make him an excellent addition to our growing practice. His experience and client relationships will play an important role in strengthening our disputes capability in Scotland and enhancing the support we provide to clients operating across the UK.”

Holmes Mackillop Solicitors

Holmes Mackillop Solicitors has appointed Lauren Brown as a paralegal in its Giffnock office.

Brown qualified as a Conveyancing Paralegal in 2023 and brings over 15 years’ experience in residential property work, with a particular focus on high‑volume remortgage transactions.

Welcoming Brown to the firm, practice manager Carol Ann McKellar said: “Lauren’s appointment to our busy Giffnock branch comes on the back of a buoyant local market which has given us the confidence to invest further in the offering we can offer this community by enhancing the services we can deliver to clients throughout Glasgow’s southside.”

Irving Geddes W.S.

Irving Geddes W.S. has promoted Claire Pirie to Partner, recognising her extensive experience, long service and strong commitment to clients across Strathearn. Claire has built a respected reputation in residential and rural conveyancing, known for her clear, practical and client‑focused approach.

A STEP‑qualified practitioner, she also advises on Inheritance Tax planning, Wills, Trusts and Estate administration, adding specialist depth to the firm’s private client offering.

Founded in 2005, Irving Geddes W.S. has grown into a well‑known legal and estate agency practice across rural Perthshire, combining property sales with a full legal service.

Managing Partner David Geddes said: “Claire’s promotion is richly deserved. Her appointment marks an exciting moment in the firm’s continued growth.” Claire will continue to serve clients from the firm’s Crieff office.

Lindsays LLP

Lindsays has made a senior hire to its Dispute Resolution and Litigation (DRL) team.

Daniel Bain has joined the independent firm as a Partner, based at its Edinburgh offices and supporting clients nationwide.

And his arrival has been announced just days after it was revealed that Lindsays is expanding its Glasgow operations through a merger with Dallas McMillan.

Mr Bain, known widely for his work in commercial property and contract disputes, said: “I feel that Lindsays is a great fit for my expertise, not just in property and commercial disputes more generally but also in contentious private client work such as executry disputes.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to contribute to the continued growth of the DRL team, at a time when everyone can see that Lindsays is expanding as a whole. I am looking forward to being part of that. It’s a fantastic time to be joining.”

Mr Bain joins from Balfour + Manson, where he had been a partner for almost three years. Prior to that he was with Shepherd and Wedderburn for 20 years, rising from trainee solicitor to a legal director.

Andrew Diamond, Managing Partner at Lindsays, said: “This is yet another key appointment in a series of strong strategic hires and promotions across the firm so far this year.

“Daniel’s experience across commercial, property and private client matters in particular will add further depth to the full spectrum of issues we advise on. I am very much looking forward to working with him.”

Thorntons

Thorntons has promoted 29 lawyers across its Scottish network, including four new Legal Directors, as the firm continues to grow its full-service capability.

James Martin (Residential Property), Moira McInnes (Private Client), Andrew Wallace (Employment) and Columban Young-Smith (Corporate & Commercial) have all been promoted to Legal Director.

A further 25 promotions have been made, including 11 new Associates, and 14 newly appointed Senior Solicitors.

Helen Honeyman, Chief People Officer at Thorntons, said “This is the largest round of promotions we have made in many years, and it reflects the depth of talent we have built across the practice. We are committed to developing the next generation of leaders in Scottish law and investing in the areas where our clients need us most. These promotions are a clear signal of where we are heading.”

Founded in Dundee almost 170 years ago, Thorntons is Scotland's fourth-largest independent law firm.

Associates

• Rebecca Coltart (Perth/Bridge of Allan)

• Megan Craig (Glasgow)

• Erin Elyan (Glasgow)

• Hannah Grace (Glasgow)

• Calvin Gordon (Edinburgh)

• Ollie Hofford (Edinburgh)

• Adam Hoggan (Perth)

• Zoe Irving (Perth)

• Cameron Mathieson (Edinburgh)

• Rory Mellis (Dundee)

• Duncan Shaw (Cupar)

Senior Solicitors

• Emma Alderson (Edinburgh)

• Andrew Bird (Edinburgh)

• Ashley Brolly (Edinburgh)

• Frances Campbell (Glasgow)

• Rebecca Engel-Morton (Edinburgh)

• Alice Hegarty (Dundee)

• Scott Kenyon (Inverness)

• Roman MacKenzie (Dundee)

• Louise McGregor (Perth)

• Perry McEwan (Inverness)

• Daniel Sinclair (Edinburgh)

• Tim McKeown (Edinburgh)

• Emma McKenzie (Anstruther)

• Darcy Reilly (Glasgow)

Elsewhere, Thorntons promoted Corah Franco to partner in its private client Team.

Corah joined Thorntons in October 2022, after completing her training and spending more than three years focusing on private client work. She was then promoted to Associate at Thorntons in July 2025 before being appointed to the firm’s partnership.

Based in Dundee and serving individuals, families and business owners across Tayside, Fife and beyond, Corah advises on a broad range of estate and succession planning matters. Her work includes the preparation of wills and powers of attorney, as well as providing advice in relation to inheritance tax planning and asset protection, alongside the creation and administration of trusts, including charitable, personal injury and vulnerable persons trusts.