Scot returns from US to join MBM Commercial

A Scottish lawyer who has spent the last 12 years as an attorney in California has returned to join Edinburgh-based MBM Commercial as a partner.

Tracey Ginn, a Global Scot and a board member of the British American Business Council, was a partner with McGrigors until 2003 when she moved to Santa Monica where she qualified with the California bar. Latterly a partner in national firm Polsinelli PC, based in Century City, Los Angeles, she has specialised in corporate mergers and acquisitions and in cross-border transactions.

Having decided to relocate with her family back to Scotland, she says she is "keen to help high-growth businesses across the UK get the best start when they go into a massive market like the United States".

Ms Ginn has previously worked with UKTI and Scottish Development International in helping UK firms pursue American opportunities.

She added: "California alone is one of the top ten economies in the world. There is a huge opportunity for the right types of companies.

“Business people in the UK are really nervous about entering the US market and rightly so. There are a lot of inhibiting factors, including complex legal issues, so if you don’t plan properly you can lose a lot of time and money.’’

MBM Commercial's practice includes supporting high-growth companies and the angel and venture capital investment community.

The firm has also announced the retirement of Sandy Finlayson as a partner. He remains with the firm on a consultancy basis. Hannah Roche has been promoted to partner, Iain McDougall to associate and Jennifer Noble to senior solicitor. Gordon Herd has joined from HBJ Gateley as a corporate solicitor, and Sarah Cashmore has joined from DLA Piper as an IP and commercial contracts solicitor.