Stronachs LLP, the full service independent law firm, has made a key appointment to its commercial property department, with the arrival of Liz Stewart as partner.
Ms Stewart, 41, says her focus is to further expand the firm’s client base, as commercial entities look to secure the highest quality advice on the best terms available, as the national marketplace undergoes major changes.
Liz has more than 17 years’ experience in the commercial property and development sector, latterly as a partner at Raeburn Christie Clark and Wallace where she spent more than 10 years.
Her wide-ranging expertise includes the purchase and sale of development land, renewable energy projects, commercial leases, sales, purchases and financing across a broad spectrum of office, retail, industrial and licensed premises deals.
“Stronachs is one of the north of Scotland’s longest-established and best-recognised firms – it has a reputation which reaches far beyond its bases in Aberdeen and Inverness and has huge potential for growth,” she said.
“The local, regional and national marketplaces have undergone significant change – where Aberdeen stood alone in 2008 as the rest of the country suffered, we now find ourselves in a mini-recession of our own while the central belt and other areas further afield are booming in commercial development terms.
“That puts us in a position of being able to offer significant experience of supporting projects in buoyant as well as challenging conditions, as they are taken forward anywhere in the country.
“While the drop in oil price has had a huge impact on Aberdeen’s energy companies, there are still deals to be done whether that be in respect of lease management, termination or a general re-structuring of property portfolios. This, coupled with surges in activity in the central belt and beyond present opportunities.
“What is absolutely crucial is that we act as true advisors, doing more than simply sitting on the fence, facilitating and carrying out instructions. Drawing on strengths available across the firm, we can conduct a thorough evaluation of our clients’ needs before identifying options to protect their interests. Taking time to understand clients and the needs of their business is as important as seeing the final deal signed.”
With its roots firmly in the North-east and a long established legal heritage, Stronachs continues to develop and innovate and aims to grow further through an ambitious five year plan which will see further appointments in the coming months.
David Rennie, the firm’s managing partner, said: “Liz brings with her a significant track record across the sectors, her appointment is a key part of our strategy to further strengthen our partner team with the best legal talent in Scotland.”
Stronachs, headquartered in Aberdeen and with further bases in Inverness and London, now has 18 partners and 115 lawyers and legal support staff, making it one of the largest independent law firms in the region.
The firm provides legal services to private and commercial clients in all areas including agriculture, banking, corporate, energy, property, construction and dispute resolution.