Karen Phillips joined the firm as a partner in the Edinburgh office in December with a task to build the firm’s private client team in Edinburgh. She is now joined in Edinburgh by James Hyams, legal director; Rona Burns, senior solicitor; and Claire Metcalf, solicitor. In Glasgow, Taylor Hendry has also joined the private client team as senior solicitor.

Laura McDowall, partner and head of the private client group, said: “We are very pleased and excited to welcome Karen, James, Rona, Claire and Taylor. Karen is a well-respected expert in the fields of incapacity law and trusts and will enable us to develop this work in Edinburgh. Since joining Blackadders Karen has been accredited by The Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in trust law. Together the new team bring with them a wealth of experience and will enhance the provision of the high quality, private client services we provide. They all join us at a very exciting time, both for our team and the firm.”

Ms Phillips said: “I decided to specialise in private client law as I enjoy helping people with their legal affairs which can often be sensitive and complicated. The relationship I have with my clients is very important to me and I am delighted to join Blackadders where I know that service excellence is at the heart of what they do.”