People on the move

Collected news of Scottish legal appointments and practice changes

13th December 2021

ALSTON LAW, Glasgow and Aberdeen, has appointed Gillian McCluskey, previously of MACROBERTS, as head of Litigation, based in the Glasgow office.

ANDERSON STRATHERN, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Haddington and Lerwick, has appointed Willie Shannon as a director at its Lerwick office. A public sector specialist, he was previously principal at the North Atlantic Fisheries College Marine Centre.

Anderson Strathern has also appointed Musab Hemsi, an accredited specialist in employment law, as a director. He joins from LEXLEYTON.

Waqqas Ashraf, previously of PAISLEY DEFENCE LAWYERS (SCOTLAND), has founded his own firm, WA LEGAL, based in Floor 4, Room 3, 41 St Vincent Place, Glasgow G1 2ER, dealing with criminal defence and road traffic law.

BTO SOLICITORS, Glasgow and Edinburgh, is pleased to announce the promotion of Emma Barclay to partner within its Corporate team.

CONVEYANCING DIRECT, Glasgow, has ceased to practise. The Law Society of Scotland was appointed to access all the files and documents at the firm on 12 November 2021. At the time the business was run by Martine Bisiaux, who used the name Conveyancing Direct under licence from Graeme McCormick, the co-founder of Conveyancing Direct, who owns the business name.

DAVIDSON CHALMERS STEWART, Glasgow and Edinburgh, has announced the appointment of three new partners. Nicola Scott joins from BRODIES to head the Commercial Property team in Glasgow. Arveen Arabshahi (Corporate, Edinburgh) and Magnus Miller (Dispute Resolution, Edinburgh) are promoted to partner.

DENTONS, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and globally, has appointed Fiona Macgregor, solicitor advocate, as counsel in its Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice in Scotland. She joins the Glasgow office from PINSENT MASONS.

DLA PIPER, Edinburgh and globally, has appointed Finlay Campbell as partner in the Real Estate practice in its Edinburgh office. He joins from BRODIES.

DWF, Edinburgh, Glasgow and globally, has appointed Caroline Colliston, a partner and chartered tax adviser based in the Edinburgh office, as executive partner for Scotland.

FAMILY LAW MATTERS SCOTLAND, Glasgow, has appointed Marisa Cullen, an accredited specialist in both family and child law, as a partner in the firm. She joins from MORTON FRASER.

Carla Fraser, advocate, has joined COMPASS CHAMBERS from AMPERSAND ADVOCATES.

INCE & CO, international law firm, has opened an office in Scotland as from 19 November 2021 at Tay House, 300 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JR (t: 020 7481 0010). Stefanie Johnston, a dual qualified marine and commercial litigation lawyer previously with CLYDE & CO, has been appointed as partner and head of the office.

JAMESON+MACKAY LLP, Perth and Auchterarder, are delighted to announce the appointment of their associate Victoria Buchanan, an accredited personal injury specialist, as a partner with effect from 1 November 2021.

MACKINNONS SOLICITORS, Aberdeen and Aboyne, announces that Denis Yule, latterly consultant to the firm, has decided to retire fully, 50 years after joining the firm as an apprentice.

David McLean, advocate, has been appointed to the role of advocate depute by the Lord Advocate. He will commence his role in due course and during his time as advocate depute, will be unable to accept instructions.

Kirsty Noble has been appointed as senior underwriter and solicitor for Scotland at WESTCOR INTERNATIONAL LTD, title and indemnity insurance providers, as it opens its first Scottish office. She joined Westcor from BLACKADDERS earlier this year.

RAEBURN CHRISTIE CLARK & WALLACE, Aberdeen, Ellon, Banchory, Inverurie and Stonehaven, has made the following appointments. In Inverurie, Kim Smart joins from LEDINGHAM CHALMERS as associate and branch principal, supported by recently qualified solicitor Rachael Morrison and property consultant Nicola Thomas. In Banchory, Shona Morrison joins from AC MORRISON & RICHARDS as associate solicitor and branch principal. In Ellon, Andrew Bruce, previously a partner at MASSON GLENNIE, joins as an associate specialising in residential conveyancing. Grant Mills joins the property shop in Union Street, Aberdeen as a solicitor.

SCULLION LAW, Glasgow and Hamilton, has appointed Judith Hutchison, solicitor advocate to its Court department, and solicitor Paolo Martone to its Private Client department, focusing on estates.

THOMPSONS SOLICITORS, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Galashiels, has promoted Jillian Merchant, Claire Campbell and Craig Smillie to partner, and Deirdre Flannigan to associate.

TLT, Glasgow, Edinburgh and UK wide, has appointed Alyson Cowan as an associate in non-contentious transactional construction law in its Glasgow office. She joins from MORTON FRASER.