Head hire as Simpson & Marwick moves back into family law

Expanding legal firm Simpson & Marwick has announced its return to the field of family law with the appointment of David Coutts as head of its new department.

A specialist in separation, divorce, cohabitation, and child-related matters – he is an accredited specialist in child law – Mr Coutts has exclusively practised family law since qualifying in 2012. Edinburgh-based, he joins from Turcan Connell, where he was head of the Glasgow team. Prior to this, he qualified and spent eight years at Anderson Strathern. 

Outside his professional life, he is a director of Scottish Squash, and chair of its Risk & Compliance subcommittee. 

Simpson & Marwick is now the principal legal brand of umbrella professional services firm Moray Group, which recently launched a new legal firm in Aberdeen, Esson & Aberdein, and acquired volume conveyancing and debt recovery specialist, Alston Law in Glasgow.

Mr Coutts said: "Our family law offering must break down geographical boundaries by understanding the nuances of the different regions in Scotland. My aim is to build a team of affable, open-minded lawyers who embrace how services are delivered in non-legal sectors and use this to offer solution-based advice to our clients.

"I am sure if we can do that, we will create an exciting place to work and offer clients a first class service they will happily recommend to others."

Chief executive Rob Aberdein commented: "David is one of the best young family lawyers in Scotland, and a huge coup for us as we launch the new department."

Chairman Richard Loudon added: "We’re understandably thrilled as this marks the next stage of expansion for Simpson & Marwick, and our wider strategy to offer a full range of private client services across Scotland."