Full-service Scottish law firm Ledingham Chalmers has announced a new partner appointment as it continues to target growth in the rural sector.
Alongside this, several staff promotions have also been announced, recognising capabilities in employment law, litigation and commercial property. The Aberdeen-headquartered firm has announced that Hazel Moir will become partner with the Rural team. Meanwhile, employment lawyer Sine Mackay has been promoted to associate.
Joanna Lang (Litigation, Aberdeen), Amy McMillan (Litigation, Edinburgh) and Craig Falconer (Commercial Property, Aberdeen) are all taking on senior solicitor positions.
Jennifer Young, chairman and partner, said: “Our congratulations go to our five promoted colleagues who have worked so hard within their roles. They all have vital roles to play as Ledingham Chalmers changes and grows in 2016 and beyond.
“Hazel deserves recognition in her role at the forefront of the rural scene in the North East of Scotland and we were delighted she accepted a partner role with us. Sine has grown with the employment team and has vast knowledge in the role and a breadth of work across the North and North-east.
“It’s a pleasure to be able to look to our up and coming staff with pride and Joanna, Amy and Craig have all been a credit to our firm. We can look forward to a long-term sustainable future with them.”
With over 25 years’ experience working with the firm advising clients on all aspects of agricultural law, Hazel is well known in the north east rural sector. Her appointment complements the firm’s agricultural practice in the North-east of Scotland led by specialist Allan Collie, private client partner Douglas Watson, and associate Catherine Bury at its Aberdeen headquarters and its base at the North-east of Scotland\'s largest mart, Thainstone.
It follows on the arrival in 2013 of renowned practitioner Jim Drysdale as partner and associate Diana Thurston Smith alongside director of rural business Linda Tinson at Ledingham Chalmers’ Edinburgh and Stirling bases, that team expanding again during 2015 with the recruitment of consultant John Hendry, associate Stephen Higgins and solicitor Ann MacLeod.
Ledingham Chalmers’ agriculture, forestry and estates practice handles a range of work including the acquisition, disposal and leasing of farms, estates, woodlands, sporting interests and other rural property, and complements the firm’s strong private client activity. It also provides specialist advice to financial institutions on security transactions relating to rural property and to landlords and tenants on all aspects of agricultural holdings and crofting legislation.
Sine joined Ledingham Chalmers in 2008 and is based in the Inverness office. She advises employers throughout the North and North-east of Scotland on a range of employment law and human resources issues. Having gained a Masters degree in Human Resources Management from RGU, and as an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Sine is experienced in employment tribunals, business and organisational change management, restructuring and redundancy, and all matters of employment contracts and service agreements.
A particular area of expertise is handling queries on data protection and freedom of information.