Five lawyers — Edinburgh-based litigation lawyers Laila Kennedy and Mitchell Bell, and Aberdeen-based commercial property lawyer Taylor Morrison, corporate lawyer Gavin Matheson and private client lawyer Clair Stirton — were promoted to senior solicitor with effect from 1 April.

One lawyer, Aberdeen-based private client lawyer Hollie Hutchison, was promoted to associate.

Another five were promoted to senior associate: commercial property lawyer Irene Walker and private client lawyer Laura Marwick in Inverness, and private client lawyer Jenna Hendry, rural lawyer Anna Moir and residential property lawyer Claire Woodward in Aberdeen.

Ledingham Chalmers chair and partner Craig Pike said: “These promotions are a milestone for the firm. Each colleague has contributed to our success, and it’s right to recognise their achievements.

“Congratulations, everyone. It’s great to have you on the team.”

The firm has also appointed team heads across all legal disciplines to support a pan-Scotland delivery model as it seeks to expand its Edinburgh office to mirror the full-service model already operating in Aberdeen and Inverness.

Edinburgh partner Sarah Morris now leads the institutional litigation team, taking over from partner John Chalmers, with partner Andrew Stott in Inverness stepping into the corporate team head role previously held by joint managing partner Peter Murray.

Mr Pike has been appointed as head of the private client team, while four other partners have taken up team head positions, with Hazel Moir heading the rural team, Nicola Reid heading the residential property team, Tim Thomas heading the commercial litigation team and John Mitchell heading the commercial property team.

Joint managing partner Victoria Leslie has been appointed as head of the firm’s Inverness office while Ms Morris – in addition to heading the institutional litigation team – has also taken up post as head of the Edinburgh office.

The team heads’ remit covers areas such as team structure, people management, financial performance, compliance, and business development. Office heads will act as the firm’s representative in their region.

Mr Pike said: “With client needs evolving rapidly, ensuring we have the right expertise in the right locations allows us to continue delivering the straightforward, strategic advice our clients value.

“Demand for a full-service offering is growing, and these promotions as well as the team and office head roles help ensure we’re ideally placed to meet that demand.”