Appointments

Lindsays has welcomed one of its biggest intake of trainee lawyers in a number of years. Eight new trainees have now started work, joining various departments at offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Perth.

Keith Stewart KC (Lord Stewart of Dirleton) has returned to full-time practice at Black Chambers, following four years serving as advocate general for Scotland. His role as one of three Law Officers providing confidential advice to the UK Government on legislation and other legal matters which arose

BTO has announced the promotion of Michael Cox to partner in the firm’s corporate team in Edinburgh. In his new position, he will continue to focus on all aspects of corporate law with a specialism in M&A.

Shepherd and Wedderburn has announced the appointment of Craig Whelton and Claire MacLean as partners. Mr Whelton is a planning lawyer with a wealth of experience particularly in the clean energy sector, regeneration projects and residential development.

Holmes Mackillop has promoted Finlay Swan to associate solicitor. Mr Swan joined Holmes Mackillop as a trainee and qualified into the corporate team. Supporting the firm’s UK-wide practice, he specialises in corporate transactional work, particularly in the healthcare, manufacturing and financ

The Court of the Lord Lyon has made three promotions. Sheriff George Way of Plean CStJ FRSA has been promoted to Rothesay Herald in Ordinary. 

Aberdein Considine has appointed media relations specialist Katie Spence as its new PR & external affairs manager. Ms Spence, a former journalist with nearly 20 years’ experience in public sector, corporate and consumer PR, will work with Aberdein Considine’s marketing director Clare

Themis Advocates has welcomed James Bishop to the clerking team as deputy clerk from 19th August. Practice manager, Kiera Johnston said that James is a "great addition to the clerking team and we are all looking forward to working with him".

Malcolm Graham has taken up his post as the new SCTS chief executive, taking over from Eric McQueen. Mr Graham said: “I am delighted to be joining SCTS as chief executive and look forward to leading and supporting the excellent work undertaken daily in supporting justice.

Kate Barton has been elected as the next global CEO of Dentons. She will join Dentons from EY, where she has had a distinguished 35-year career in a variety of executive leadership roles, most recently as global vice chair. She will succeed Elliott Portnoy.

Vini Cowden, an energy specialist lawyer focused on electricity transmission, carbon capture and storage, and offshore wind, has become the latest partner to join CMS’s Aberdeen office. She relocates to the Granite City from Glasgow where she has been based since joining CMS in 2001.

Lindsays' private client team in Dundee has welcomed Megan Hainey, who joins as a senior solicitor. Ms Hainey has experience in a variety of private client matters including drafting wills, power of attorney and estate administration.

Thorntons has announced 22 new promotions across its Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth, Inverness and St Andrews operations following a year of exceptional growth.

Professor Richard Susskind KC (Hon) has been appointed as the Commonwealth's special envoy for justice and artificial intelligence. The Commonwealth of Nations is an international association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire.

The new lord chancellor was sworn in at the Royal Courts of Justice in London yesterday. Shabana Mahmood MP took her oath on the Quran at Court 4 as Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill welcomed her, along with Attorney General Richard Hermer KC and Solicitor General Sarah Sackman MP to their roles.