Scottish Independent Law firm, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP has joined one of the world’s largest multi-disciplinary networks of lawyers, accountants and tax advisors.

Geneva Group International (GGI) is an alliance of professional services firms, with over 560 members across the world. WJM will be the only Scottish law firm in the alliance.

WJM’s Managing Partner Fraser Gillies said, “We’re delighted to have joined such a high quality network of professional services firms across the world. It was clear to us that the member firms have a similar outlook to us and share our focus on developing rewarding and long-term client relationships with their clients.

“Our membership allows us to offer genuine international capability to our clients whilst maintaining our independence and Scottish focus. We think being able to offer access to this network to our clients who increasingly are looking beyond Scotland in their personal and business lives is likely to be well received. As the sole Scottish firm in the alliance we expect to be well placed to benefit from referals in to Scotland from clients looking to invest, particularly in sectors such as renewables, telecoms, and technology, where we’ve already built a strong reputation.”

WJM has 28 partners, 55 fee earners and 50 employees across its four offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Dunblane.

Is your business ready for GDPR in May 2018? Spend some time with the OneStopIT team to learn about how GDPR will affect your business.

We have four speakers from the worlds of IT, Marketing, Legal and HR who will share their knowledge with you. GDPR affects all areas of your business so come along and learn how a joined-up approach is needed to safeguard your company.

As an IT company we are aware that Cyber security and GDPR is not just an IT issue. It will affect all areas of your business which is why we have teamed up with our friends at:

Wright Johnston & McKenzie LLP
GDPR comes into force on 25 May, 2018 and one of its primary aims is to give more control back to individuals over their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business by unifying the regulation within the EU.

39Steps
Do you know how GDPR will affect your Marketing Department? If your business uses email marketing, sends direct mail or makes sales calls, the layw is changing what you can and can’t do.
Some things you might do today will no longer be allowed.
It’s tempting to think “I’ll deal with it in May”.
But there’s some easy things you should do right now, which mean you won’t run into trouble later.

HR Dept
Don’t panic! It’s not too late to get ready, as long as you start now.
Your HR department will be crucial to preparing your business to comply with the new GDPR in regard to data held on employees, contractors, volunteers and job applicants.

Cyber Essentials & GDPR Expert

The Government-backed Cyber Essentials accreditation provides a comprehensive set of guidelines that, when followed, provide the best outcome to reducing the risk to any business.

GDPR isn’t just for big businesses – a gym that offers a members’ loyalty scheme or a one-person chiropractor that asks patients to complete a wellbeing form will have to ensure that personal data is stored in line with the new regulations and not breach them.

Registration with Tea, Coffee & nibbles will start from 5pm with the first presentation starting at 5.30pm. We expect the event to wrap up for 7.30pm – just in time to head home for dinner.

Find out more and book your place here.

The team at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP invite you to join them at the following two events;

1. ONSHORE WIND – CONSENTING AND BUILDING IN THE SUBSIDY-FREE WORLD

Our annual Renewables Seminar in Edinburgh takes place on Thursday 2nd November and looks to be as popular as ever! This event is free to attend but booking is essential, so don’t miss out, book today.

Join us for a seminar including our usual planning update and a panel discussion on “Onshore wind – consenting and building in the subsidy-free world’.

Speakers/panelists include:
Fraser Gillies: Managing Partner & Head of Planning, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP
David Bell: Director, Planning & Development JLL
Simon Peltenberg: Head of Projects (Scotland), RES
Neil Douglas: Director, BVG Associates
Andy McFarlane: Head of Renewables, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP
We would also like to welcome you to drinks and canapés after the presentations to give you the chance to catch up with others in the industry.

Key Details:
Thursday 2nd November, 3.00pm – 6.30pm, followed by drinks and canapés.
Apex Waterloo Place, 23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3BH.

The seminar is FREE to attend but pre-booking is essential. To book your place at this event, please email events@wjm.co.uk. Please advise of any dietary requirements in advance

More details here: https://www.wjm.co.uk/events/onshore-wind—consenting-and-building-in-the-subsidy-free-world

2. EMPLOYMENT SEMINAR

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP’s Employment Team run a series of very popular seminars to help employers understand changes in legislation, the impact of recent Employment Tribunal decisions on everyday employment matters and to help develop best practice when employing.

Our free Edinburgh seminar on the 7th November will include the following WJM experts and topics:

WJM Partner Martin Stephen: Equality and Discrimination
WJM Partner Liam Entwistle: Data Protection
WJM Senior Associate John Grant: Capability and Performance

The event consists of registration, talks, Q&A, canapes, drinks and networking.

Key Details:
Tuesday 7th November, 4pm – 7:30pm.
Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP, The Capital Building, 2nd Floor, 12-13 St Andrew’s Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AF.

To book your place, email: events@wjm.co.uk. Please advise of any dietary requirements in advance

More details here: https://www.wjm.co.uk/events/employment-seminar-programme-2017

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP’s Employment Team run a series of very popular seminars to help employers understand changes in legislation, the impact of recent Employment Tribunal decisions on everyday employment matters and to help develop best practice when employing.

Over the next few months they will be travelling around Scotland holding a series of employment seminars which will focus on the following topics:
• Equality and Discrimination
• Capability and Performance
• Data Protection

The event will take place on Tuesday 7th November at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP, The Capital Building, 2nd Floor, 12-13 St Andrew’s Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AF. 4pm-7.30pm

The speakers will be:
• WJM Partner Martin Stephen: Equality and Discrimination
• WJM Partner Liam Entwistle: Data Protection
• WJM Senior Associate John Grant: Capability and Performance

The event consists of registration, talks, Q&A, canapes, drinks and networking.

To book your place, please register here, stating clearly Edinburgh in the subject line.