Legal counsel joins SWA as senior lawyer retires

The Scotch Whisky Association ("SWA") has appointed Laura Lee as a legal counsel, as the senior member of its Legal team retires.

Ms Lee joins SWA from DAC Beachcroft, and her first job after graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 2016 was as an IP paralegal with Pinsent Masons. She is also a fluent Mandarin speaker.

Her recruitment comes as senior legal counsel Kenneth Gray retires at the end of July, after 21 years of dedication to protecting Scotch whisky from fraud around the world. SWA's Legal team now comprises a director and deputy director, two senior legal counsel, a legal counsel and a paralegal. 

Alan Park, director of Legal Affairs for SWA said: “We’re delighted that Laura has come on board to support the existing award-winning team. Laura’s skills and enthusiasm for intellectual property will boost our work in protecting Scotch whisky around the world, to ensure that Scotland’s national drink can continue to thrive in our international markets.”