Among the seven directors being promoted to partner is Chris Devlin, who is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in planning law, and has particular expertise in the housing and renewable energy sectors. Chris also advises on environmental law. Directory Chambers & Partners 2023 describes him as “excellent and approachable” having “excellent specialist knowledge.”

Neil Fraser, a specialist in property law, is also among the promotions. Neil handles complex issues, particularly in the housebuilding sector, although his experience is diverse, spanning commercial leasing, non-contentious construction and even the acquisition and disposal of lighthouses. He is a true advocate of Corporate Social Responsibility, being an active committee member who regularly champions the firm’s CSR events and initiatives.

Chris and Neil are joined by five more promoted partners:

• Danielle Edgar, who holds specialist accreditations in both family law and child law from the Law Society of Scotland.
• Employment law specialist Musab Hemsi, who is accredited by the W.S. Society and doubly accredited as a specialist by the Law Society of Scotland.
• Gillian Murray, a commercial litigation specialist with an interest in contentious insolvency.
• Caroline Pringle, who specialises in estate planning and asset protection, with a particular focus on succession planning, inheritance and capital gains tax mitigation.
• Sarah Phillips, an experienced litigator with over 25 years’ experience in fatal accident inquiries and defending motor, employer and public liability claims in both the Sheriff Court and Court of Session.

Newly appointed to the firm are partners Dawn Dickson and Sheila Tulloch. Dawn joins the employment law team from Eversheds Sutherland, where she has spent the past seven years as a partner.

Sheila joins from Orkney Islands Council, where she was service manager for legal services. Sheila will lead Anderson Strathern’s Shetland office, growing its market share across the islands and the North of Scotland.

Anderson Strathern chair Fraser Geddes said: “Being able to promote so many of our directors to partner level this year is testament to the wealth of talent we have within the business. Neil and Chris are well known within the construction and property sector for their strong reputations and impressive experience in their fields.

“When I took over the reins as chair, I wanted to ensure we consciously invest in our existing team while continuing to attract Scotland’s top legal talent. Making sure that Anderson Strathern is a great place to work, through initiatives including our Entrepreneurial Leadership Programme, extensive training opportunities, our net zero Working Group and various social, CSR and ED&I events is working. These appointments give us every reason to be confident in the future and secure in the outstanding service we provide.”

The appointments come at the end of a strong year, as the firm’s Edinburgh team prepares to move to a newly-built Grade A office in Capital Square later this year.