Further senior appointments at HBJ Gateley

HBJ Gateley has announced further senior appointments, all but one of them lateral hires.

The UK legal practice, with Scottish offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, has hired Glasgow-based Nick Taylor and Paul Ockrim, both property lawyers who join from Leslie Wolfson & Co, while in Edinburgh it has secured intellectual property lawyer Helena Brown from Burness Paull.

Corporate restructuring partner Addi Shamash, promoted from senior associate in Edinburgh, has joined the growing Aberdeen office along with consultant Philip Argo, who brings years of industry experience in businesses including Peak Well Systems, Venture Production and Ithaca Energy.

They add to the recently announced hires of Aberdeen energy partner Alison Sim and former McClure Naismith banking partner John Blackwood in Edinburgh.

The firm has also reported profit growth of 16% in the first half of the financial year.

Senior partner Malcolm McPherson commented: “We’ve focused very hard on hiring the right people and keeping a firm hand on the tiller to ensure strong cashflow. Quality advisors who can win work and earn the trust of clients is something of a magic potion which isn’t always easy to get right. We look very closely at who fits our business and we move quickly to get them on board, and we spot internal talent which we can nurture from early in their careers.

“We have grown strongly across the practice and we’re confident of the outlook for the rest of the year. These appointments absolutely reflect the requirements of clients and we’ll continue to look for people who can contribute to the growth of the firm.”