New and familiar faces returned to Law Society Council

New Council members will represent all constituencies involved in this year's elections to the Law Society of Scotland's Council, with familiar faces also returning.

The results, announced this morning, show one new member returned in one of the seats representing Aberdeen, Banff, Peterhead and Stonehaven sheriff court districts, as well as in one of the five Edinburgh seats. One new member was returned to one of two seats in Airdrie, Hamilton and Lanark, while one new member and one existing member were returned unopposed in Ayr, Dumfries, Kirkcudbright and Stranraer.

Successful candidates in the north east were returning member Deborah Anne Wilson, of Wilson Defence, Banff, and new member Michael Kusznir of Raeburn Christie Clark and Wallace LLP in Aberdeen. They won out against Stuart Murray of Murray Ormiston LLP. Jane Dickers of Gray & Gray in Aberdeen stands down after three years.

In Edinburgh, four existing Council members were returned, Sheila Webster of Davidson Chalmers, Susan Murray of National Services Scotland (the NHS legal team), Jim Stephenson of Thorley Stephenson and Susan Oswald of Sheehan Kelsey Oswald, who won against Ross Crawford of Health Law Limited, Rosanne Ogden of Pinsent Masons LLP and retired in-house solicitor and Law Society Fellow Colin Anderson.  The Edinburgh constituency welcomes one new Council member, Christine McGregor of BayWa r.e. UK Limited.

In the south west constituency of  Ayr, Dumfries, Kirkudbright and Stranraer, returned unopposed were Lauren Fowler of Frazer Coogans in Ayr, and new member Sharon Fyall of Pollock & McLean in Thornhill. Paul Matthews, a consultant with JHS Law in Dumfries, has stood down after serving on Council since 2012.

In Lanarkshire, Paul Gostelow of Baker Gostelow Law Ltd and Catherine Monaghan of Moore and Partners LLP,  won against Gordon Lennox, of Scullion LAW and Luke O’Curry, Director of Airdrie Legal Chambers Ltd. Retiring member, Paul Nicolson, partner with Nicolson O’Brien in Airdrie who has sat on Council since 2017, did not stand.

Lorna Jack, the Society's chief executive said “I would like to congratulate all newly elected and returning Council members. This is a challenging time for everyone, including the legal profession, and it is important that the Law Society attracts talented individuals on to its Council to drive the leadership required to face those challenges head on.  I very much look forward to working with our Council members over the next few years, as we navigate the best ways in which we can support and guide our members through these difficult times.

“My commiserations to those candidates who put themselves forward and were unsuccessful in this election, and thank them most sincerely for the interest they have shown in serving their professional body. I want to particularly thank Colin Anderson for his six years of service on Council. My sincere thanks also to Jane Dickers, Paul Matthews and Paul Nicolson, who have all stepped down from Council. All of them have made thoughtful contributions and shown real commitment to their professional body over the years.”

The newly returned members will be invited to take part at the Council meeting on 29 May, which will take place via audio and video conference.

Full results are below:

Aberdeen, Banff, Peterhead & Stonehaven election – 2 seats

• Total vote – 113 (excluding 2 invalid ballots)
• Turnout -10.3%
• Droop Quota – 37.667
• M Kusznir and D Wilson-McCuish elected

Edinburgh election – 5 seats

• Total vote – 484 (excluding 3 invalid ballots)
• Turnout -12.0%
• Droop Quota – 80.667
• Result – all remaining candidates win in Round 4 on elimination of C Anderson
  • S Webster, S Oswald, S Murray, J Stephenson and C McGregor elected

Airdrie, Hamilton & Lanark election – 2 seats

• Total vote – 85 (zero invalid ballots)
• Turnout -19.6%
• Droop Quota – 28.333
• Result
  • P Gostelow and C Monaghan elected