Nine new partners for Anderson Strathern

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“It’s great to see our next generation progressing and to hear their visions for the future… Making sure that Anderson Strathern is a great place to work, through initiatives including our Entrepreneurial Leadership Programme, extensive training opportunities, our Net Zero Working Group and various social, CSR and ED&I events is working.” – Fraser Geddes, Chair at Anderson Strathern

Independent Scottish law firm Anderson Strathern has significantly strengthened its partnership, with the promotion of seven new partners and the appointment of a further two.

Newly appointed to the firm are partners Dawn Dickson and Sheila Tulloch. Dawn joins the employment law team from Eversheds Sutherland, where she has spent the past seven years as a partner. With strong experience in the manufacturing, finance, retail and hospitality sectors, Dawn has almost 25 years’ experience at the highest level in private practice. She is also Co-Chair of the homelessness charity, Rowan Alba.

Sheila joins from Orkney Islands Council, where she was Service Manager for Legal Services. With extensive experience across the public and commercial sectors, Sheila will lead Anderson Strathern’s Shetland office, growing its market share across the islands and the North of Scotland.

Among the seven directors being promoted to partner is Chris Devlin. Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in planning law, he has particular expertise in the housing and renewable energy sectors. Chris also advises on environmental law. Leading directory Chambers & Partners 2023 describes him as “excellent and approachable” having “excellent specialist knowledge.”

Danielle Edgar holds specialist accreditations in both family law and child law from the Law Society of Scotland. She also sits as a member on the board of the charity, Sikh Sanjog. She appears regularly at Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland as well as running cases in the Court of Session with a particular focus on financial separations and also cases on behalf of Local Authorities in respect of children.

Also among the promotions is Neil Fraser, a leading specialist in property law. Neil handles complex issues, particularly in the housebuilding sector, although his experience is diverse, spanning commercial leasing, non-contentious construction and even the acquisition and disposal of lighthouses. He is a true advocate of Corporate Social Responsibility, being an active committee member who regularly champions the firm’s CSR events and initiatives.

Employment law specialist Musab Hemsi, who is accredited by the W.S. Society and doubly accredited as a specialist by the Law Society of Scotland, has also been welcomed to the partnership. He is a member of the European Employment Lawyers Association and Chair of the Scottish Discrimination Lawyers Association and the Legal 500 recognises Musab for his expertise in advising corporate clients. In 2022, Musab was recognised as one of the Top 10 influential Muslims in the UK’s legal industry by EqualityX.

A commercial litigator with an interest in contentious insolvency, Gillian Murray acts for a wide range of clients from commercial businesses and private individuals to government bodies. She is also a tutor in civil litigation at the University of Strathclyde and a non-exec board member at Ayrshire College.

Experienced litigator Sarah Phillips, with over 25 years’ experience is also joining the partnership. Specialising in Fatal Accident Inquiries and defending motor, employer and public liability claims in both the Sheriff Court and Court of Session, Sarah is frequently involved with complex, high value cases and has been recognised as a leader in her field by UK Chambers & Partners.

Caroline Pringle joined the firm’s private client team as a director in May 2022, bringing with her a decade of experience in estate planning and asset protection, with a particular focus on succession planning, inheritance and capital gains tax mitigation. She was previously named one of eprivateclient’s ‘Top 35 Under 35’.

Anderson Strathern Chair Fraser Geddes said: “Being able to promote so many of our directors to partner level this year is testament to the wealth of talent we have within the business. Sheila and Dawn are outstanding hires, both have strong reputations and impressive experience in their fields. And, it’s great to see our next generation progressing and to hear their visions for the future.

He added: “When I took over the reins as chair, I wanted to ensure we consciously invest in our existing team while continuing to attract Scotland’s top legal talent. Making sure that Anderson Strathern is a great place to work, through initiatives including our Entrepreneurial Leadership Programme, extensive training opportunities, our Net Zero Working Group and various social, CSR and ED&I events is working. These appointments give us every reason to be confident in the future and secure in the outstanding service we provide.”

The appointments come at the end of a strong year, as the firm’s Edinburgh team prepares to move to a newly-built Grade A office in Capital Square later this year.

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