Legal counsel appointment at Scotch Whisky Association

The Scotch Whisky Association has appointed Caitlin O’Donnell as legal counsel, joining a team of lawyers specialising in protecting the industry from illegal imitation.

Ms joins from Maclay Murray & Spens LLP where she was a senior solicitor in the commercial dispute resolution team. 

The SWA team, led by Alan Park who was promoted to director of legal affairs in May when Magnus Cormack left the organisation after 33 years, now has two senior legal counsel, two legal counsel and a paralegal.

Its core function is protecting Scotch Whisky from unfair competition, one of the main responsibilities of the SWA.

David Frost, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, said: “Our new legal counsel Caitlin O’Donnell brings further commercial and civil law expertise to the SWA to support the skills of the existing team. We are ideally positioned to safeguard Scotch globally and ensure it remains the world’s leading high-quality spirit drink.”