Employment law firm expands into Scotland

A specialist employment law human resources advisory practice founded by a Scots lawyer is expanding into Scotland.

Pam Loch, who studied accountancy and business at the University of Dundee and then law at the University of Edinburgh and is dual qualified in Scots and English law, has opened Loch Associates Group in the Scottish capital. The business, which has a £1.3m turnover, already has offices in Brighton and London in addition to its Kent headquarters.

Ms Loch founded her business – comprising Loch Employment Law, HR Advise Me, Loch Mediation and Loch Health – in April 2007. The business in Scotland will focus on all aspects of employment law, HR and employee wellbeing.

Chris Phillips, an accredited employment law specialist, has been appointed as a partner to run the new Edinburgh office. He will be joined by HR Consultants from HR Advise Me. He trained alongside Ms Loch at niche employment law practice Mackay Simon, becoming a partner there in 2000 before becoming a partner successively at Maclay, Murray & Spens, Simpson & Marwick and then Clyde & Co.

Ms Loch commented: "We are not simply employment law experts, but the team also delivers human resources support and training, employee wellbeing and mediation services – adding value to our clients and often resolving situations before the need for further time consuming consultations or legal action.

“Securing Chris Phillips to run our Edinburgh office has been a real coup – he brings 20 years of expertise to draw on and is incredibly well respected in the industry.”