Stars on the rise – two former trainees secure partnership at HBJ Gateley

HBJ Gateley has appointed two of its former trainees to senior positions within the firm.

Lynsey Walker, a qualified solicitor advocate, has been promoted to partner in the dispute resolution team in Edinburgh, and Sarah Baillie, an accredited planning law specialist, has joined the firm as planning partner in the real estate team in Glasgow. Ms Baillie began her career at HBJ Gateley, and latterly worked at Anderson Strathern.

Both appointments follow a period of steady growth for the firm, which has Scottish offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Ms Baillie said: “I am delighted to return to HBJ Gateley. The firm has always appealed to me as it stands out as being commercially focused, entrepreneurial and dynamic. I am thrilled to be joining the partnership as there is a real sense of opportunity among the partners and the real estate team has an excellent reputation. I look forward to supporting the firm’s continued success and expanding our planning practice offering.”

Ms Walker added: “I have been with the firm since I qualified as a solicitor and am excited about the way the firm has developed over that period. HBJ Gateley has an ethos of providing client-driven, commercial solutions and it is one I have always felt fully aligned with. I’m looking forward to contributing to the growth of our team and the continued success of the firm as part of the partnership.”

Ms Walker has significant experience representing clients in both Sheriff Court and Court of Session actions and is also a solicitor advocate. Ms Walker became the youngest solicitor advocate in Scotland when she qualified in 2013 and has particular expertise in banking, contractual, property and insolvency related disputes. She was described in the 2014 edition ofLegal 500 as a “rising star” providing “excellent negotiation skills.”

Ms Baillie has been recognised as a leading planning lawyer in Scotland by the legal directories for a number of years. She has a wealth of experience in advising on some of the most prestigious development projects in Scotland and further afield. Career highlights include advising on the consenting forBorders Railway and the London 2012 Olympic Park. She is also uniquely dual qualified as both an accredited specialist in planning law by the Law Society of Scotland and as a chartered town planner, retaining membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Malcolm McPherson, senior partner at HBJ Gateley, said: “The breadth of Sarah and Lynsey’s expertise is a huge asset to the firm. We are pleased to be able to promote a former trainee and welcome another one back, which demonstrates the opportunities that HBJ Gateley can provide to those progressing their legal careers.”