Following swiftly on the back of perhaps the most significant consolidation in the Scottish legal sector in 2011, Anderson Strathern has announced a raft of promotions taking fee-earner numbers to 230 and further strengthening its position as one of Scotland’s largest full-service law firms.  In July this year the Partners and staff of Scotland’s leading property law practice, Bell & Scott, joined Anderson Strathern creating one of the largest real estate teams in Scotland and boasting a stable of clients which is the envy of many competitor firms.

Recent promotions recognise the hard work and specialist skills development of 27 solicitors across key practice areas. 

• In Commercial Real Estate, Chris Richardson, Neil Fraser, Richard Hart and Stephen McDonagh are promoted to Senior Associate, Leanne Hill to Associate and Edward Gratwick is promoted to Senior Solicitor. Chris, Neil, Stephen and Edward are based in Edinburgh and Richard and Leanne in Glasgow.
• In the Edinburgh Corporate team, Ashley McIntyre, Hazel Clark and Martin Whiteford are promoted to Associate, Lorraine Balfour and Cecilia O’Connell are promoted to Senior Solicitor and in Glasgow Alana Gillies is promoted to Senior Solicitor.
• In Dispute Resolution, Jonathan Guy, Judith Peacock, Sara Grewar and Sarah Philips are promoted to Senior Associate and Adam Wilkie is promoted to Senior Solicitor. All are based in Edinburgh.
• In the Edinburgh Employment team, Andrew Brown is promoted to Associate.
• In Land Resources and based in Edinburgh, Diana Thurston-Smith is promoted to Senior Associate and Alex Brown to Senior Solicitor.
• In Private Client Martin Campbell is promoted to Senior Associate and John Peutherer to Associate. Jayne Arbuckle, Sophia Li and Alison Miller are all promoted to Senior Solicitor. All are based in Edinburgh.
• In Residential Property Alison McKenna is promoted to Senior Associate and Cheryl Edgar to Associate. Alison is based in Edinburgh and Cheryl in Haddington.

Further evidencing the growth strategy and commitment of Anderson Strathern to developing people, the firm has retained nine trainees who become new Solicitors having successfully completed traineeships. These appointments reflect a retention rate of more than 70% of the total qualifiers for 2011 and creates new positions in Commercial Real Estate, Employment and Private Client.

13 new trainees joined the firm in early September for the start of their two year traineeship adding to the talent pipeline for the future.

Robert Carr, Chairman of Anderson Strathern, said "The development of talent is crucial the long term sustainability of our business. Our strategy is underpinned by organic growth and these promotions reflect continued investment and development firm wide to develop legal skills and services."