Ms Macdonald joins the firm as it expands its contentious trusts and estates practice in response to increasing demand for advice in Scotland, driven by financial pressures, changing family attitudes and greater awareness of the options available when concerns arise over a will or estate.

She brings significant experience in private client law to Anderson Strathern, including a decade working in contentious trusts and estates. She is also a Law Society of Scotland accredited specialist in trust law, deputy chair of STEP Scotland and a member of the steering committee for STEP’s Global Contentious Trusts and Estates Special Interest Group.

Ms Macdonald said: “Contentious trusts and estates work has been a more established area of practice in England for some time, but Scotland is now seeing a similar increase in disputes. 

“People may have previously been reluctant to challenge a will or question how an estate had been administered, particularly where close family members were involved. That reluctance is beginning to fall away as financial pressures increase, and people have greater access to information about their rights.

“Anderson Strathern already has an established track record in this area, and I look forward to working with the team to build on that experience and further develop the firm’s offering.” 

Carole Tomlinson, chair of Anderson Strathern, said: “Sarah-Jane has an excellent reputation in contentious trusts and estates and brings considerable technical knowledge and experience to the firm. 

“Her appointment builds on the strong work already being carried out by our dispute resolution team and will help us respond to the increasing number and complexity of disputes arising in this area.”