Elaine Farquharson-Black joins Brodies from Burness Paull where she was formerly head of both its planning division and property and infrastructure department.

The firm has also bolstered its oil and gas expertise with the appointment of Bryan Wilson as partner.

Based in the firm’s Aberdeen office, the appointments of Elaine and Bryan bring the total number of people in Aberdeen to 87, up 16% in the last 12 months.

Brodies’ managing partner, Nick Scott, said: “In setting our strategic plans we listen carefully to clients and take our lead from where they tell us there will be demand for our services.

“Our clients will benefit from Elaine’s extensive experience, which combined with Neil Collar will bring two of Scotland’s leading planning lawyers under one roof. Bryan’s arrival reflects the increase in client activity in the oil and gas market and our commitment to delivering a specialist team that reflects our client base. Bryan’s service sector expertise will complement that of our existing oil and gas partners.

“That Elaine and Bryan have chosen Brodies is an endorsement of our commitment to our clients and to those strategic plans. They will add considerable strength to our wider partnership and in their respective practice areas.  And we look forward to supporting them to achieve their ambitions here at Brodies.”