One of the country’s leading divorce lawyers, Ms Crandles is only the second person to occupy this role in the firm’s 22-year history and will combine it with her current position as head of divorce and family law. She succeeds Ian Clark, who spent seven years in the role and now returns to being a partner solely concentrating on client-facing activity,

Ms Crandles, who deals with complex high-net-worth cases and has a particular knowledge of cases with an international element, said: “It’s a great honour to take on the role of managing partner and I very much look forward to working with my fellow partners and colleagues as we continue to grow Turcan Connell and meet the exciting challenges of the years ahead.

“Ian Clark hands over the reins of a firm that is performing extremely well and our continuing focus is on maintaining our position as the country’s leading provider of legal services in the tax and succession, land and property, divorce and family and charity sectors.”

The firm has also announced the appointment of two new partners, Graeme Gass and Alistair Rushworth, in the areas of tax and succession and land and property respectively. Both Mr Gass and Mr Rushworth joined the firm as trainees, on the same day, and qualified in 2010.

Chairman Simon Mackintosh said of the promotions: “Turcan Connell prides itself on consistently developing and retaining talented individuals. I am delighted that Gillian has agreed to be our new managing partner and I welcome Graeme and Alistair to the partnership.

“For a firm with a clear focus on providing succession planning advice to clients it is pleasing to note that over half our current partners began their journey as trainees of the firm.”

Mr Gass specialises in tax, asset protection and succession planning, with particular expertise in capital taxation issues affecting landed estates and rural businesses involving trusts, partnerships and corporate structures.

Mr Rushworth specialises in high-value estate and farm sales/purchases, rural property transactions, loans and securities, servitudes and renewable energy developments.