Partner promotions at Gillespie Macandrew mark success of firm’s academy process

Gillespie Macandrew LLP has promoted associates Amy McDowell (energy and strategic land) and Fiona Cameron (litigation) to partner. Both joined the firm as trainees and over the past twelve months have advanced through the firm’s academy process to take up their new positions on September 1, 2016.

Recent external hires and internal promotions now bring the number of partners at Gillespie Macandrew to 20 and the number of fee earners to 102.

Ms McDowell has been an associate within the commercial property team and as a member of the energy, natural resources and strategic land team has gained specific experience for purchase, sales and lease agreements in renewable energy projects. She also has experience in bringing forward large scale development projects involving strategic land interests.

As an associate within the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution team, Ms Cameron has maintained a broad commercial litigation practice, but has a particular interest in employment and contentious property litigation, which has involved her in Sheriff Court, Court of Session and Scottish Land Court actions. She is a strong proponent of alternative dispute resolution and is also a co-chair of the Young Mediators’ Group.

Murray Shaw, chairman of Gillespie Macandrew LLP, said: “We are delighted to see Fiona and Amy become partners having originally joined as trainees. Over their careers to date they have demonstrated first-class legal skills and client care and in the past 12 months they have also taken part in our academy process, designed to assist our senior staff to develop key additional skills and experience in preparation for the responsibilities of being a partner in a modern law firm.

“Growing organically as well as through experienced hires offers an exceptional mix of talent, skills and motivation that we believe is important to meet the needs of our clients.”

In addition, Victoria Curren has been promoted to associate in the commercial property department. She joined the commercial property team in 2011 and has acted on a range of property transactions, including purchases of commercial properties, leasing for landlords and tenants and property finance on behalf of borrowers and lenders. She also has experience of coordinating the Scottish aspect of transferring a large number of properties from one pension scheme to another.

Jamie Reid, Grace Watson and Ross MacRae, having completed their traineeships, now become newly qualified solicitors in the energy, litigation and corporate teams respectively.