Partner promotions as BTO beefs up Trusts & Estates team

BTO Solicitors has announced two partner promotions as part of changes to its senior team. 

The firm said that due to increasing client demand in its Trusts, Estates & Tax Planning department, it had "taken the strategic decision" to have partner led teams in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, and has appointed as partners Ross Brown and Lynn Melville.

Mr Brown, who trained with BTO, returned to the firm in 2012 and is based primarily in the Glasgow office. A member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP), he specialises in wills, trusts and tax planning.

Ms Melville was a partner in Thorntons Law LLP before joining BTO in 2016 and is based primarily in the Edinburgh office. Also a member of STEP and with more than 20 years' experience in the private client field, she specialises in estate administration, powers of attorney and inheritance advice.

The firm also revealed that partners Roddy Harrison, head of the Private Client department, and solicitor advocate Tony Jones QC will soon leave BTO "to pursue careers with other firms".

Chairman Alan Borthwick commented: "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Lynn and Ross as partners, both of whom have demonstrated that they possess the skills, experience and ambition which will be invaluable in helping us to achieve our strategic aims for this area of our practice and for the wider business. We wish Tony and Roddy well in their new roles."