She will chair the firm’s board, working closely with her fellow partners and Andrew Blain, Shepherd and Wedderburn’s managing partner, to chart the firm’s strategic direction over the next three years.

Ms Carty joined Shepherd and Wedderburn as a trainee solicitor in 1993 and was assumed as a partner in 2001. She is highly regarded in the Scottish insolvency market, specialising in insolvency and finance-related litigation, and will continue to advise clients after assuming the role of chair. Gillian is also a licensed insolvency practitioner and is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in insolvency law.

Prior to her appointment as chair, she led the firm’s commercial disputes and regulation division and, as a board member, sponsored the firm’s ‘people strategy’, taking a particular interest in furthering Shepherd and Wedderburn’s many diversity and inclusion initiatives and chairing the firm’s corporate social responsibility committee.

Ms Carty succeeds Paul Hally, who was first elected chair in 2014 and has stepped down after serving two successful, consecutive terms.

She said: “I would like to thank Paul for the very significant contribution he has made as chair to developing and implementing the firm’s business strategy, and representing the interests of colleagues and clients. Paul has led by example, mentoring many young lawyers who have gone on to build successful careers in private practice and with many of our clients.

“We are a people business and that commitment to identifying and nurturing talent and encouraging diversity is fundamental to what we do and our ability to meet and, indeed, exceed our clients’ expectations of us. It is a privilege to have been elected to the role of chair and I look forward to working with my partners, colleagues and clients to help the many organisations and individuals we act for achieve their objectives.”

Mr Blain said: “Throughout her career, Gillian has set the standard for client service – building trusted adviser relationships with businesses that rely on her wise counsel and expert legal advice.

“Moreover, Gillian has shown herself to be a people person who is committed to widening access to the profession and to supporting initiatives designed to make a positive contribution to the communities in which we live and work. Gillian’s experience, empathy and legal expertise make her ideally suited for this role.

“I look forward to working closely with Gillian and would like to congratulate her on her appointment as chair, which I am sure will be welcomed by colleagues and clients alike.”