April's list of partner promotions and new hires as Scotland enjoys flurry of success

It has been a bumper month for people on the move – let’s look at the latest promotions, appointments and career changes across the Scottish legal sector.

Andersonbain LLP

The Aberdeen-based firm has announced six new partners in its 25^th year of business: Ashleigh Smith, Carol Walker, Charlotte Torrance, Iain Wilson, Katie Burns and Rebecca Bett.

Scott Allan, one of the firm’s lead partners, said: "The promotion of Ashleigh, Carol, Charlotte, Iain, Katie and Rebecca not only further strengthens our position within the Aberdeen legal market as a leading property and private client firm, but evidences our continued commitment to promoting from within."

Blackadders LLP

The firm has boosted its Glasgow Private Client team with the promotion of James Hyams to Partner. James joined Blackadders in January 2023 as a Director, working in the Blackadders’ Edinburgh office with Partner Karen Phillips.

He has experience in assisting clients on Private Client work including wills, succession planning, inheritance tax mitigation, incapacity, executry administration and the setting up and administration of trusts.

Burness Paull

The firm has promoted five of its lawyers to partner: Rachel MacArthur, Daniela Pallucci, Colin Smith (all corporate finance), Nick Warrillow (dispute resolution), and Gemma Young (banking).

MacArthur, Pallucci and Smith trained at the firm and Warrillow and Young have each been at the firm for several years.

The five new partners take the strength of the partnership at Burness Paull to 94 and are among 82 promotions effective from April 1 – including 15 directors, 18 senior associates, 18 associates, and 26 senior solicitors – across the firm’s practice areas and offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Peter Lawson, chair at Burness Paull, said: "The attraction and development of exceptional talent is key to our ability to deliver the very best outcomes for our clients.

"The well-deserved promotions of Rachel, Daniela, Colin, Nick and Gemma reflect the significant contribution all five have made – and our strong belief that their talent and expertise will further enhance our bench of market-leading lawyers."

Burnett & Reid LLP

Aberdeen’s "longest-standing" law firm has announced that Michael Kusznir, Senior Associate in the firm’s Private Client team, has been appointed as a Member of the LLP, effective 1st April 2025.

CMS

The firm has unveiled three new partners in Scotland as part of its annual promotions announcement: Robbie Somerville, Rory Thomson and Thibault Jeakings.

They are among 56 new partner promotions announced by the firm across 28 cities and 18 countries around the world.

CMS also announced that Duncan Turner, a partner in the firm’s Technology and Media Team, has been appointed as its new Edinburgh office Managing Partner.

Dickson Minto LLP

The firm has intimated that, with effect from 1 April 2025, David Clark has been made a partner of the firm.

Gilson Gray

UK-wide law firm Gilson Gray has hired experienced solicitor Tim Harrison as a partner, and head of its private client services in England. Gilson Gray has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, East Lothian, Aberdeen and Angus as well as Lincoln and London.

Jameson+Mackay LLP

The firm has announced the appointment of their Associate, Debbie Macleod, as a Partner with effect from 1st April 2025. Debbie will continue to work in the Private Client Department.

Lindsays

The firm has announced four new partner promotions, taking Lindsays' total to a record 53 partners. The new partners, celebrating "well-earned advancements", are: Alastair Smith (Corporate and Commercial, Edinburgh), Gregor MacEwan (Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Edinburgh), Rachel Holt (Personal Injury, Glasgow) and Stephen P'Hare (Private Client, Perth).

Macleod & MacCallum

Based in Inverness and Portree, the firm has announced a range of promotions within its legal team. Aidan Grant and Laura McCarthy have been appointed Senior Associates, while Elizabeth Wilson and Gemma Johnston are both being promoted to the position of Associates.

Macleod & MacCallum Chief Executive, Alison Martin said "We are delighted to make these promotions within the Firm.

"It is a recognition of the hard work put in by Aidan, Laura, Elizabeth and Gemma in serving their clients throughout the Highlands and Islands."

The PRG Partnership Solicitors LLP

The PRG Partnership Solicitors, Glasgow, Clydebank, Kirkintilloch and Erskine has incorporated the practice as an LLP with effect from 1st April 2025. The partners also announced the appointment of their associate, Gabriella Watt, as a partner of The PRG Partnership Solicitors LLP, also with effect from 1st April.

Gabriella joined the firm whilst studying for her DipPLP at the University of Glasgow. Following her traineeship, Gabriella was promoted to associate and deals mainly with private client, property and commercial leasing.

Scullion LAW

Scullion LAW has announced the promotion of Aimee Holmes from Administrator to Legal Clerk in the Road Traffic and Criminal Law Team. This career milestone highlights the firm's dedication to nurturing talent and providing top-notch training and development.

Aimee joined Scullion LAW’s Support Team in 2023 with a passion for the legal field and quickly demonstrated her dedication and skill. Her promotion reflects her hard work and the robust support system at Scullion LAW, which prioritises career progression and personal growth.

TC Young

The firm has announced the promotion Neil Matheson to the position of Partner. Neil joined the firm as a Trainee in 2015, initially working within the firms housing litigation team, focussing on landlord & tenant disputes, including repossessions and anti-social behaviour.

Upon qualifying in 2017, Neil joined the Dispute Resolution team, which has flourished under his stewardship, leading to his promotion to Senior Associate in 2023. The department has continued to thrive, becoming one of the firm’s fastest-growing areas.

Turcan Connell

Turcan Connell has announced the promotion of twenty-seven legal and tax professionals, including the promotion of Sarah Jackson to Partner and Heather Burnett and Jillian Bynoth to Legal Directors.

The promotions also include the progression of six senior associates, seven associates, eight senior solicitors, one tax manager and two senior tax assistants.

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP

The firm has announced the appointment of Amanda Masson as Head of Family Law. New Partner Amanda, who joins from Harper Macleod, has 25 years of experience under her belt and is an experienced litigator, in both the Sheriff Court and Court of Session.

Among her specialisms are child relocation and high value financial provision in cases involving family businesses, as well as in family creation and fertility law.