Leading Scottish and top 50* UK law firm, Brodies LLP, announces eight new partners in its latest round of promotions and appointments. 

Kate McLeish and Karren Smith become partners in real estate; Andy Nolan is made up to partner in the firm’s corporate and commercial practice; while banking lawyer, Jack Moir; solicitor advocate, Niall McLean; family lawyer, Jennifer Wilkie and litigator, Jared Oyston also become partners in their respective fields.

Along with her promotion to partner, Karren Smith will also take on a leading role working in Brodies’ Dingwall office, which serves clients based in the Highlands and Islands.

Joining the seven newly promoted partners is lateral hire, Carly Forrest. With more than 15 years’ experience working exclusively in the personal injury field she is ranked by independent legal directories Chambers UK and Legal 500. Carly specialises in dealing with high value catastrophic injury claims and has represented clients in the UK Supreme Court. Carly is appointed as a partner in Brodies’ insurance and risk practice and will also join Advocacy by Brodies – the firm’s growing set of solicitor advocates. She joins Brodies from BTO.

In addition, Brodies has promoted eight colleagues to the role of senior associate, and 21 colleagues to associate. The firm has also appointed 12 newly qualified lawyers who will start their roles in July.

With global hotels industry specialist, Bob Asher, and strategic change and restructuring lawyer, Ken Ross, also joining Brodies in late 2019, the firm has added 10 new partners in the last 12 months and recorded a 6% growth in people, up from 688 the previous year, to 728. 

Commenting on the latest round of promotions and appointments Brodies managing partner, Nick Scott, said: “Delivering relevant knowledge, insight and legal services, as well as understanding how our clients – businesses and individuals – want to receive those services was key in the development of our three-year strategy to 2021.

“It goes without saying that recent times will test the strategies of all businesses.  We remain confident in our own and, in maintaining our focus and listening to our clients, we have with these latest promotions, and the addition of quality lawyers in Carly, Bob and Ken to our partnership, been able to deliver against that strategy. We wish all those joining our firm, or beginning new roles, all the best in their careers at Brodies.”