Sheelagh Cooley, a specialist in real estate finance who joined Shoosmiths as a senior associate in 2014 has been promoted to partner.

She is one of 13 individuals to be promoted to partner firmwide. Lateral hire Barry McKeown, a highly regarded residential development and investment specialist has also joined as a partner in the team. He brings a wealth of experience, having advised UK plcs, property funds and large private corporates.

This latest promotion and lateral hire in Scotland’s real estate team sees its headcount further increase to 22, following the recent recruitment of Gillian Ralph as a senior associate and Gillian Sidey and Rachael McCallum as solicitors.

Jen Paton, meanwhile, has been promoted to senior associate. She will focus on an expanding M&A remit within the Edinburgh corporate team led by partner Alison Gilson.

Janette Speed, partner and head of Shoosmiths office in Scotland, said: “I am delighted to welcome both Sheelagh and Barry to the partnership in Scotland and congratulate Jen on her well deserved promotion.

“These appointments reflect Shoosmiths’ strategy to develop its presence in Scotland and to provide its growing blue-chip client base with the highest quality of advice.”