Women lead the way at Shepherd and Wedderburn

Women are leading the way at UK firm Shepherd and Wedderburn, the firm said ahead of International Women’s Day tomorrow.

A number of the firm’s female partners and solicitors have been endorsed as the recognised authorities in their practice areas, and appointed to key roles in national trade bodies.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s Emma Carmichael is the new chair of the Association of Women in Property (WiP) in Central Scotland, which is challenging male domination of the property and construction industry.

Ms Carmichael said: “WiP has been supporting women in the property and construction sector for 30 years, advocating diversity and knowledge sharing, and working hard to widen the appeal of property and construction to women who might not have considered it as a career choice.”

Leigh Herd, one of the firm’s specialist construction disputes lawyers, has been confirmed as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Scottish branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

Both in this role, and her previous role as the branch’s Young Members’ Convenor, she is active in encouraging and promoting the interests of young people within this area – including many young women.

Partner Patricia Hawthorn has just entered her third year of office as chair of Scottish Renewables, a role to which she was elected in 2015.

Patricia combines that role with her work at Shepherd and Wedderburn, where she advises public and private sector clients on consenting, regulatory and compliance matters in the UK’s clean energy sector.

As part of the firm’s 90-strong renewable energy team and headline sponsor to All-Energy, the UK’s largest renewable energy event, Pat will make the opening address at the Offshore Wind session on 10th May.

Yvonne Brady, head of the firm’s top-ranked Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency practice, is described in Chambers and Partners as …’the most experienced recovery lawyer in Scotland’, while her fellow partner, Gillian Carty, is described in the same directory as ‘…an exceptional lawyer whose technical ability never fails to impress’.

This week, the Who’s Who Legal has named both Ms Brady and Ms Carty as among Scotland’s foremost restructuring and insolvency practitioners — two of only three Scots lawyers to be listed.

Speaking of these accomplishments, Stephen Gibb, chief executive at Shepherd and Wedderburn, said: “All our lawyers pride themselves on their expertise, innovation and commitment to our clients.

“In showcasing the recent achievements of Emma, Leigh, Pat, Yvonne and Gillian as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations, it’s clear that these lawyers are leading the way in their respective areas. They have set the bar for everyone who wishes to be a leader in their industry.”