Blackadders LLP Employment team Partner Simon Allison and Associate Solicitor Jack Boyle have recently produced the first episode of Season 2 of Employment Lawyer in your Pocket: ‘How to be a good witness?’
In the episode, Simon and Jack answer a tweet from Fairways HR asking what makes a credible & reliable witness?
Listen to the podcast here: http://bit.ly/2hPMpy3
From Blackadders LLP, about their Employment Lawyer in your Pocket podcast:
We’re aiming to help managers and business owners navigate the murky and often contentious world of employment law and keep on the straight and narrow with their staff.
In season 1, Simon and the team discuss the eight essential steps which an employer must take when looking to fairly dismiss an employee.
In season 2, Simon and the team answers questions which have been tweeted by listeners. How To Be A Good Witness? How To Give A Reference? And many, many more.
You can follow the award-winning employment team on twitter @EmpLawyerSimon @EmpLawyerJack and @EmpLawyerRich
You can also tweet us any questions using the #ELiYP hashtag.
Leading Scottish law firm Thorntons has appointed eight recruits for its traineeship programme this month – believed to be the most comprehensive and varied scheme in the sector.
The new recruits will undertake a two-year traineeship and will shadow senior staff across Thorntons’ 10 offices. They will learn from a comprehensive programme, which reaches across many of Thorntons’ specialist teams, and will develop their legal and client communication skills.
Scott Milne, Joint Managing Partner at Thorntons, said: “Investing in training and development of our people demonstrates our investment in the future of our business, as well as the legal profession as a whole.
“Our renowned trainee programme has developed significantly over the course of many years. Thanks to our diverse range of clients and work, our trainees receive the opportunity to gain crucial experience in the widest possible range of legal specialities.
“Developing our own highly-skilled people is very much part of our growth strategy and will improve our overall client experience. It also helps upskill our existing team because none of us ever stop learning, regardless of our level.”
The eight trainees for 2017 are Vicki Alexander, Emily Flett, Katie Fulton, Victoria Guild, George McLaughlin, Stephen O’Hare, Kirsty Waughman and Katy Williams. This year’s trainees come from all across Scotland including Glasgow, Dundee, Perth, Kinross, Inverness, Anstruther and Ayrshire.
Katy Williams, trainee at Thorntons, said: “From work experience eight years ago to starting a traineeship with Thorntons in 2017, I am very excited about beginning my career with the firm that inspired my choice of profession.
“As a full service firm Thorntons is able to offer its trainees the opportunity to gain a wide variety of experience and knowledge through giving them responsibility and including them in interactions with clients from the start. I have already learnt a great deal and have found that no question is ever too silly.”
Thorntons has offices in Dundee, Perth, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Cupar, Anstruther, Kirkcaldy, Arbroath, Montrose and Forfar.
Scott continued: “As well as developing their legal skills, the new recruits will also receive guidance in the importance of exemplary client care and strong communication – something Thorntons takes great pride in.
“We believe this is one of the most varied and comprehensive traineeships in the sector. Our eight new trainees will enjoy a strong foundation for the start of a career in the legal profession. We hope that many will continue their career development with the firm upon completion.”
Pictured above, from back left to right: Victoria Guild, Vicki Alexander, Stephen O’Hare, Scott Milne (Joint Managing Partner), Colin Graham (Chairman), Emily Flett
From front left to right: Katy Williams, Kirsty Waughman, Katie Fulton, George McLaughlin and guide dog Millie.
Following a strong start to the financial year, employment law, HR and health & safety market disrupters, Law At Work (LAW) has made five promotions across the business.
Former deputy director of legal services, Margaret Anne Clark becomes head of the employment law department overseeing a team of 12 highly trained solicitors across the firm’s Edinburgh and Glasgow offices. With more than 14 years’ experience working as an employment law solicitor, Margaret Anne has advised on an all aspects of employment law matters, with considerable experience in discrimination and equal pay issues across the retail, care and transport sectors.
The firm has 380 retained clients which range in size from 5 to more than 12,000 staff. Margaret Anne will drive forward expansion plans by securing more UK wide clients focusing on sectors including education, construction and retail. LAWs current UK wide client base include Interstate Hotels, City Refrigeration Holdings (UK) Ltd, Pineapple Studios and Dobbies Garden Centres.
Daniel Gorry who was previously a senior employment solicitor has been promoted to deputy director of legal services. Daniel joined LAW in 2006 and has specialist knowledge in complex restructures for the education and leisure sectors. He is also one of the firm’s authorities on employment tribunal matters and has spent the past 11 years representing clients on issues of unfair dismissals, discrimination and TUPE transfers.
The company’s client management division will now be led by Steven Smith who joined the firm in 2010 as operations manager. Steven brings a wealth of experience in client care and marketing.
In addition to senior promotions, Law At Work has offered full time positons to Paman Singh and Kirstie Beattie, who have recently completed their traineeships with the firm. Both Paman and Kirstie have worked on numerous employment law cases during this time, allowing them to develop knowledge in all aspects of employment matters. As the newest solicitors to the team, they bring with them a fresh outlook and have already begun building strong relationships with clients.
Magnus Swanson, chairman of Law At Work said; “In the last year LAW has grown rapidly as we integrated the Square Circle team and clients into our business.
“We place great value on nurturing talent and actively work towards promoting from within the organisation. The individuals who have been promoted each have hugely impressive track records and we are looking forward to the future.”
Speaking of the promotions, Margaret Anne Clark said; “Law At Work operates differently from other firms in the market and our objective has always been to change the conversation surrounding employment law. It is a privilege to be heading up such a talented group of solicitors, who as the future of the firm, are responsible for securing our position as the leading UK employment law, HR and health & safety specialists.
The promotions follow a period of significant investment for the company; including a rebrand and new website that features an enhanced client support area for all three strands of employee relations support – employment law, HR (including in-house support) and health and safety.
International law firm Pinsent Masons has appointed four infrastructure and energy heavyweights in Australia, further enhancing its existing presence across Sydney and Melbourne and adding a new presence in Perth.
The law firm’s Scottish operation comprises of more than 500 staff based in its Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen offices. Since launching in Australia in 2015, Pinsent Masons has acted on a number of standout mandates, including the AUD$15bn Melbourne Metro Project, acting for First Solar in relation to its project finance acquisition and development of a 48MW Solar Power plant and acting for Samsung C&T on the AUD$2bn Roy Hill Iron Ore Mining dispute.
The new partners join from Norton Rose Fulbright and comprise:
• Rob Buchanan who specialises in construction and engineering disputes on major energy and infrastructure projects.
• Matthew Croagh, a leading construction and engineering disputes lawyer with a specialism in the oil and gas industry.
• Adrienne Parker, who has extensive experience in major projects, construction, engineering and resource projects across Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Africa. Adrienne is also President of the WA Chapter of National Association of Women in Construction.
• Bill Ryan, who has acted upon complex arbitrations arising out of the resources sectors in Queensland and Western Australia.
Pinsent Masons’ legal resourcing hub Vario has also recently announced its expansion into Australia, its first operational base outside of the UK.
David Rennick, Head of Australia for Pinsent Masons, said: “In less than two years, Pinsent Masons has established itself among the preeminent infrastructure firms in Australia and enhanced its reputation across the Asia Pacific region. Our strong growth and high calibre of work is being recognised and we are delighted to be able to attract a stellar team of fellow specialists to join us in expanding our business into Perth. The appointments also present an opportunity to expand further into the energy sector.”
Richard Foley, Senior Partner, said: “Our vision is to be recognised as an international market leader in the global sectors in which we operate and Australia has been significant in enabling us to serve clients domestically and across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Europe. Our relentless focus on combing skillset excellence with sector insight and innovation continues to prove popular among our clients.”
The news comes after a period of sustained investment by Pinsent Masons. In May, the firm announced plans to launch in Dublin and the acquisition of diversity-and-inclusion business Brook Graham. The month prior, the firm announced the appointment of teams in Madrid and Johannesburg to open the firm’s inaugural offices in Spain and South Africa respectively. The firm will now operate 24 offices globally.
Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) has announced the promotion of Esme Macfarlane (pictured left) to Associate and Joanne Ockrim (pictured right) to Senior Associate.
ESME MACFARLANE
Esme Macfarlane qualified in 2010 and works in WJM’s Renewable Energy team, having joined the firm in 2016. Her focus is on commercial property transactions in renewable energy projects.
JOANNE OCKRIM
Joanne qualified in 2002 having joined WJM as a trainee. As well as her Scottish commercial property practice, Joanne’s dual qualification means she also manages a considerable English property portfolio on behalf of clients.
WJM’s Managing Partner Fraser Gillies says “I believe our commitment to remaining an independent Scottish-owned and managed firm, along with our ability to reward the progression of our talented people like Joanne and Esme who are already helping us deliver on our vision of market leading client service, has helped us make some key gains over the last year. We plan to significantly build on these gains in the year ahead.”
Leading Scottish firm Maclay Murray & Spens announced today that it is to combine with Dentons, the world’s largest law firm.
The combination, which is expected to complete later in 2017 following approval by the partnerships of both firms, will offer clients the services of around 800 fee earners in the UK, including 200 partners, operating from offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Milton Keynes and Watford.
“This combination will significantly enhance our scale and capabilities in the UK,” said Dentons’ Global Chief Executive Officer Elliott Portnoy. “Combining with strong, independent and well-established firms is central to Dentons’ ‘in and of the community’ ethos, and with its rich history in the Scottish market Maclay Murray & Spens fits very much into this category. Following soon after our recent combinations with equally high-quality firms in Latin America and the Netherlands, this development accelerates Dentons’ momentum as we continue our journey ‘from largest to leading.'”
“Maclay Murray & Spens is a Scottish leader in some of our strongest practices and sectors including Financial Services, Energy, Transport & Infrastructure, and Real Estate,” said Jeremy Cohen, Chief Executive Officer for Dentons’ UK and Middle East region. “By combining we will also significantly increase our out-of-London capability. Working seamlessly with colleagues in London, our Milton Keynes and Watford offices already enable us to deliver enhanced value to many of our largest clients. This combination will upscale that ability by a very considerable margin.”
“Joining forces with the world’s largest law firm is tremendously exciting for us,” said Kenneth Shand, Chief Executive Officer of Maclay Murray & Spens. “With offices across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific, Dentons will unquestionably be the only significant player in Scotland which is a genuinely global firm. We will have a unique ability to offer Scottish businesses with international ambitions access to the largest array of legal talent in the world, and international firms with an interest in Scotland, the resources of one of the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking law firms.”
“Our vision is to offer clients the ‘law firm of the future’ now,” said Dentons’ Global Chairman Joe Andrew. “By enhancing our ability to serve national and multi-national clients in the UK, the world’s second largest legal market, and continuing to innovate in client service delivery, Dentons continues to set the pace in the global legal market.”
Ten members of staff from leading law firm Thorntons have bravely volunteered to have their heads shaved in the name of charity.
Lynne Steel, department supervisor in personal injury at Thorntons, rallied her fellow colleagues to take part in the challenge on Friday 4 August 2017 in aid of Cancer Research.
The nine co-workers, based in Dundee, joining Lynne are John O’Neill, Stephen Brand, Vincent Chung, Stephen O’Hare, Colin Whyte, Ewan Ramsay, Heather McKenzie, Lee Corr and joint managing partner Craig Nicol.
Thorntons partner Stephen Brand has not only volunteered to have his head shaved but will also take the razor to his beard – for the first time in 45 years.
Lynne said: “I am so pleased that I’ve convinced nine colleagues to join me in this challenge. We are doing this for those who have lost their lives and those who have survived cancer within in the firm.
“We have set up a Just Giving page for donations and would be very grateful of any support as we aim to reach our target of £1,500.”
Thorntons will also host a bake off on Thursday 27 July and a dress down day on the Friday 4 August to raise additional funds for Cancer Research.
Sarah Johnston, Local Fundraising Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer and has set ambitious plans and aspirations for the future.
“However, progress is only made possible thanks to people fundraising, without whom we would not be able to fund outstanding scientists, doctors and nurses. I’d like to wish the Thorntons team all the best with their head shave and look forward to seeing the photos!”
Sponsorship pledges to Thorntons Cancer Research fundraising can be made here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thorntons-law-charity-head-shave.
Businesses of all sizes depend on their logos and websites to reach customers worldwide.
With visibility on the Internet more important than ever, having a distinctive logo and website has become an invaluable tool for the majority of the UK’s businesses. However, many business owners are not aware of significant dangers when commissioning the creation of logo and website design from a third party agency.
An issue that has landed businesses in trouble in the past and one which I frequently see is in relation to the ownership of copyright of their logos and website. If ownership rights are not dealt with prior to the signing of a commissioning contract, the completed product – whether that be a logo, a website or a piece of software – will belong to the creator of the work, rather than the business which paid for it! It seems unfair, but that is the law.
For example, in the case of logos, it’s important to have copyright assigned to you because if anyone were to copy your logo, it’s only the copyright owner who could legitimately complain. As it’s likely to be you who would want to object rather than the designer who created the logo, you need to own the copyright.
It is possible to secure a transfer of copyright after the design work has been created, but only if the design agency is happy to transfer it to you and this could come at an additional price. Of course, if the agency is not in a position to pass on the necessary rights to you, its reputation could suffer dramatically.
But why take the risk?
The ideal time to discuss copyright ownership rights in the process of hiring a branding agency, web designer or software developer is before any contracts have been agreed.
Smaller businesses rarely have the resources to review contracts with a fine tooth-comb, so they are more commonly caught out by intellectual property pitfalls than larger commercial firms.
Use of intellectual property protection can make or break a business. By properly protecting your logo, website, piece of software or any other intellectual property, you can create valuable assets for your business. However, failing to take the necessary precautions can leave you vulnerable to competitors and the creators of commissioned work.
Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (MMS), the UK-wide commercial law firm, has announced the promotion of 20 lawyers, including two new partners, as it recognises and rewards the exceptional performance of lawyers across all four of the firm’s offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.
The promotions, which coincide with the start of the firm’s new financial year, see two lawyers promoted into the partnership, two new directors, 11 new associates and five solicitors moving up to senior level.
James Wilson becomes a partner in the banking and finance practice in Edinburgh, while commercial property specialist David Rose has been promoted to partner in the property practice in Aberdeen.
Kenneth Shand, chief executive of MMS, said: “The promotions underscore the continued growth of key practice areas across the firm and reflect the breadth and depth of experience of our talented lawyers, who have demonstrated their dedication to our clients. It also reinforces our commitment to rewarding the exceptional performance of our home-grown lawyers.”
The following promotions came into effect on 1 June:
Partner
James Wilson, Banking & Finance, Edinburgh
David Rose, Property, Aberdeen
Director
Mark Stewart, Corporate, London
Lyndsey O’Connor, Property, London
Associates
Anna Crosby, Banking & Finance, Aberdeen
Roisin Forde, Banking & Finance, London
Ferky Azib, Commercial Dispute Resolution, London
Sarah McCormick, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Edinburgh
Linzi Hedalen, Construction & Engineering (Contentious), Edinburgh
Sophie Applewhite, Employment, Pensions & Immigration, London
Jennifer Connolly, Private Client & Charities, Glasgow
Donna Bryson, Property, Glasgow
Jayne Ferguson, Property, Glasgow
Tom Hepburn, Property, Glasgow
Fiona McDonald, Housing & Care, London
Senior Solicitor
Nicola Watson, Banking & Finance, Aberdeen
Susan Currie, Capital Projects, Edinburgh
James Todd, Capital Projects, Edinburgh
Jamie Dunne, EU, Competition & Regulatory, Edinburgh
Iain Smith, Property, Glasgow
One of the largest full service law firms in Scotland has today (1 June 2017) announced the appointment of three new partners, expanding its senior team in Dundee and Edinburgh.
Two of the appointments at Thorntons are of existing associates, namely Chris Byrne and Jacqueline Henderson. The third appointment is Morna Coutts, who joins the firm after seven years at Morton Fraser.
Morna joins the Private Client team based in Thorntons’ Edinburgh office, enhancing the firm’s commitment to the capital and providing additional support to the existing team there. She boasts expertise in capital taxation and succession planning alongside wills and trust arrangements for high net worth individuals covering complex estate administration and powers of attorney.
Chris joined the firm when it amalgamated with Murray Donald in November 2014 after spending most of his career prior to that with a large commercial practice in Glasgow. He is an experienced corporate lawyer and, as part of the corporate team in Dundee, becomes partner after working closely with former chairman Jack Robertson.
The third appointment is residential property specialist Jacqueline, who joined the firm in January 2015 following roles at Fife Council and Pagan Osborne.
Scott Milne, joint managing partner at Thorntons, said: “I am delighted that our latest appointments include two internal promotions but also that we welcome Morna Coutts as a new recruit to the firm.
“Appointments like these are further evidence of our desire to invest in our people and our commitment to being a prosperous and sustainable firm.
“Congratulations to our three new partners, I have no doubt their appointments will enhance the firm and its continued aspirations to be the most respected full service law firm in Scotland.”
For more details on Thorntons and its services visit www.thorntons-law.co.uk.
Pictured (L-R): Scott Milne, Morna Coutts, Craig Nicol, Chris Byrne, Jacqueline Henderson.
