Law firm Harper Macleod strengthens Moray team

• A new partner strengthens the firm’s family law team
• A new Law Society of Scotland accreditation

Award-winning law firm Harper Macleod has further strengthened its Moray team with a new partner and new Law Society of Scotland accreditation, underlining its commitment to investing in talent and delivering client-driven support in the north of Scotland.

Laura McLean, based in the firm’s Elgin and Inverness offices, has been promoted to partner. Laura helps clients on a wide range of family issues including adoption, divorce and financial settlements. She is also an experienced litigator.

Laura has also recently been awarded a Law Society of Scotland accreditation in family law. Accreditations are marks of high levels of client service and strong industry expertise.

The promotion and accreditation illustrate the firm’s growth and strength in its diverse service offering in Moray, particularly family law, private client, corporate law, renewable energy and rural matters.

Chris Kerr, lead partner for Harper Macleod in the Highlands, Islands and Moray, said:

“The Moray economy is as diverse and as buoyant as ever. To match this we’ve continually invested in our services, and embedded ourselves in the community to meet our clients’ needs. This has resulted in us having the largest team of lawyers in the north of Scotland. We will continue to listen to what matters to our clients, innovating, and developing and creating opportunities for talent to match our clients’ and the regions’ expectations.

“We have always placed huge value and importance on development and growth opportunities. Every partner appointment and promotion is a tremendous achievement, and it should be congratulated even more so given the challenges everyone has faced in recent years.

“Similarly, we fully recognise the responsibility we have to strengthen our client, colleague and community relationships, during a period which has tested everyone’s resilience. Thankfully, the strong foundations of our business helped us through this period, and we’re seeing opportunities for the future.”

The firm’s Moray office on Maisondieu Road provides access to a full range of legal services for businesses and individuals as well as one of the region’s largest estate agency and conveyancing practices.

Following the end of recent coronavirus restrictions, the team has been delighted to welcome clients, and business and community connections back in to the office for the first time in more than two years.

Chris said:

“Our operations and service delivery continued seamlessly in the virtual age, but it is hugely important for us to be able to meet in person again to discuss individual and business situations face-to-face. Relationships are so important whether that is helping clients buy a house, handle a sensitive family situation, or selling a business.”

Including Elgin and across Harper Macleod’s five other offices in Lerwick, Inverness, Thurso, Glasgow and Edinburgh, there have been five partner and 20 promotions. These are part of the firm’s HM Career Paths programme, providing opportunities and pathways for development. There are now 77 partners at the firm.

Each year Harper Macleod takes on around 10 graduates and 10 modern apprentices. Across the firm’s north of Scotland office’s there are currently four Modern Apprentices and five trainees.

Last year it signed the Young Person’s Guarantee, the Scottish Government-backed commitment to bring together employers and young people to increase employment opportunities for 16 to 24-year-olds. The firm also hold Investors in Young People Gold status.