Ledingham Chalmers marks continued growth in Inverness with office move

Scottish full-service law firm Ledingham Chalmers has invested a six-figure-sum in new premises in Inverness, following team growth in the Highlands of 40% since the start of 2023.

On top of the 11 people who joined since January last year, five new hires have come on board in the last couple of months: senior associate Christina McKerrow in corporate and paralegal Amy Manson in residential property joined in May while senior solicitor Eve Cooper, paralegal Lisa Sime and administrator Bethany Chisholm started with the private client team from another Inverness-based legal firm today (17 June).

On 3 June all teams based in York House, Church Street and Kintail House, Beechwood Business Park, moved to Ord House in nearby Cradlehall Business Park.

The move brings together 49 colleagues with expertise in corporate, rural, litigation, commercial property, employment law and private client law on one site and comes almost 25 years to the day since Ledingham Chalmers opened its Kintail House office. The business has had a presence in York House, Church Street, since it acquired Anderson Shaw & Gilbert in November 2022.

The firm says while all disciplines have seen growth, the private client team has expanded significantly since 2021 — from a headcount of two to 24. Colleagues in this team support individuals with matters including conveyancing, trusts and executries as well as succession planning for high net worth individuals.

Managing partner Jennifer Young said: “Over the years, our focus in Inverness has evolved beyond what remains a strong public sector client base and specialised business law practice to the full-service model that has served us so well in Aberdeen.

“This move represents our commitment to growth and sustainability as well as a continued investment in our people — and the environments in which they work. Ultimately this can only enhance the provision of what we know is a valuable service for our clients.”

Office environment
The two-storey, stand-alone office with just under 500m² floor space has energy saving features including LED lighting and an air source heating system.

“Aside from those important environmental credentials, this new office has other benefits for our colleagues including dedicated private working, meeting, quiet and social spaces with lots of natural light. It’s the first step in a wider review of our firm-wide property requirements,” Mrs Young added.

Promotions and hires
There were two promotions in the Inverness private client team this year on 1 April. Partner JP Campbell joined the firm’s board while Laura Marwick stepped up to associate.

Promotions in Aberdeen saw Pamela Sargent in commercial property move to senior associate; Rosie Allan in family law to associate and Hollie Cavanagh in litigation to senior solicitor.

Two lawyers have also returned to the firm in the last two months: associate Alanah Mills in Aberdeen’s employment law team and solicitor Laila Kennedy in litigation in Edinburgh.

Plus, four trainee solicitors will remain with Ledingham Chalmers in September when they qualify. Joanne Mitchell and Ross Peddie will be based in Aberdeen in the commercial litigation and corporate teams respectively, while Meredith Roulston-Plant will have a pan-Scotland role in the rural discipline. In Inverness, Kasia Adamska-Paterson will work in the corporate team.

Mrs Young said: “We’re committed to sustainable growth and that depends on having the right people in the right roles, we have thoroughly impressive colleagues working with us during what is an exciting period for our firm, but also at a time when we’re operating against the backdrop of an incredibly competitive nationwide recruitment and client retention market.

“All of these promotions and appointments recognise the talent of each of these remarkable lawyers and their contribution to the firm, and its ambitious growth plans.”

The headcount across all its offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverness and Stirling is the highest it has been since Ledingham Chalmers became an LLP in 2006: 214, including 23 partners.