Blackadders unveils 14-strong promotions round

Blackadders has announced the appointment of a new partner as one of a round of 14 promotions, including lawyers based in its Aberdeen, Arbroath, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow offices. 

John Dargie has been appointed partner at the firm’s Aberdeen office. A solicitor specialising in private client work, his area of expertise is in complex private client and succession planning matters with a specific interest in mental health and incapacity law. 

Aberdeen partner Peter Robertson recently retired after 37 years in private practice, at Blackadders and previously at Adam Cochran.

Other promotions include: 

• in the Private Client team, Jamie Robertson to legal director, residential property, Stewart Dunbar to legal director, private client; Rachael Delaney to senior solicitor, private client; Nikki Scott and Jacqueline Cameron to senior paralegal, estate and executry administration; and Joanne Urquhart to paralegal, estate and executry administration;
• in the Business Services team, Nicola Brown to legal director, dispute resolution; Suzi Low to legal director, corporate & commercial; Azeem Arshad to associate solicitor, commercial property; Dario Demarco to associate solicitor, corporate & commercial; Richard Wilson to senior solicitor, corporate & commercial; and Rebecca Thompson and Susan Currie to senior solicitor, dispute resolution.

In addition, Neil Pickthall has joined the firm as chief operating officer. He has spent the last five years as the SSE Renewables Competency & Development team manager, where he had responsibility for competence management and personal development of all staff. He succeeds Bob Murdach, who has retired.

Managing partner Johnston Clark commented: “2020 was extremely challenging but our team demonstrated their resilience and flexibility and allowed us to adapt to the changing world whilst maintaining the high standard of service our clients expect from us. These promotions are in recognition of the significant contributions made during the last 12 months.

“It is essential that we continue to develop and reinvest in our staff to ensure that we offer our clients the best service. We are committed to offering opportunities for career development and progression. I am incredibly proud to see so many of our people moving forward in their careers and on behalf of our management board, I extend my congratulations to them all and wish them every success in their new roles.”