Blackadders LLP

blackadders.co.uk

Partner and Head of Employment Law Simon has specialised in employment law for over 20 years. He gives advice in relation to the full gamut of issues, from recruitment to performance management, right through to TUPE and social media. Main area of work is employment law (contentious and non-contentious).

Partner Jack provides general advice on the full spectrum of employment law issues including employment contracts, restrictive covenants, disciplinary/grievance procedures, unfair dismissal, discrimination, TUPE and settlement agreements. Jack also appears in the Employment Tribunal.

Lindsey is a Partner in our Private Client team. She currently heads up our Executry team in Dundee and has over 14 years of experience in Private Client coupled with a strong background in residential conveyancing. Lindsey gives advice on all areas of Private Client including wills, powers of attorney, inheritance tax planning, asset protection and executries. Lindsey and her extensive team of executry practitioners focus on estate administration providing executors with specialist advice on all aspects of their role, duties and responsibilities covering contentious and non-contentious estates of all sizes with international/cross border aspects. She provides all round, practical and tailored advice to clients and guides them expertly through the entire process.

Director In our Dispute Resolution team, Nicola has more than 30 years’ experience in dispute resolution. She has advised and acted for clients in all arears of private and commercial disputes, professional negligence, contentious private client, insolvency matters and property disputes in the Sheriff Court, Court of Session and the Housing and Property Tribunal. Nicola has experience in mediation and other dispute resolution methods.

Lorna Christine

Partner Based in our Dundee office, Lorna has over 20 years of experience in the private client field. She gives advice on all areas of private client including wills, powers of attorney, administration of estates, inheritance tax planning and creation and administration of trusts. She enjoys building long term relationships with clients and aims to give practical, straightforward advice in an area of law that is increasing in complexity. Lorna is a regular presenter for CCPD Training giving online seminars on a variety of private client topics to the profession. Lorna sits as a Trustee on a number of charitable trusts and is a board member of Tenovus Tayside & North East Fife. She is a former module organiser and tutor on the Diploma in Legal Practice at Dundee University and a former examiner for the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners.

Johnston is a director and panel member of The Legal Defence Union, a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Professional Practice and Client Protection Committees, a full member of STEP and a member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment. As Chief Executive of Blackadders Wealth Management LLP, with circa £200 million of client funds under advice or management he is one of only a small number of Scottish solicitors to have personal authorisation from the FCA. His experience in commercial law supports his interest in business succession planning, particularly in farming families. In addition to his wills, trust and estates practice, Johnston has day to day financial responsibility for a Housing Association and a significant independent charity for disabled children.

Stephen Connolly

Partner In addition to regularly appearing in the Employment Tribunal on behalf of clients in contentious matters, Stephen provides strategic, practical advice on the full range of employment law and HR topics as will arise throughout the cycle of an employment relationship, including disciplinary and grievance matters, performance management, unfair dismissal, discrimination issues, the Working Time Regulations, TUPE and contractual disputes. He also advises employer clients on obligations under the GDPR/ Data Protection Act 2018 and on business immigration issues. He is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and is a past member of the ELA Scotland Steering Committee.

Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial along with Head of Blackadders Business Group Kirk is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s leading lawyers in the tech and video games sectors, Kirk specialises in mergers and acquisitions, investment rounds, commercial contracts, intellectual property, and data privacy. His clients range from start-ups and established SMEs to multinationals and some of the country’s most prominent entrepreneurs. Kirk is a strong advocate for legal tech and innovation, championing tools that enhance client experience and service delivery. With a diverse client base across technology, retail, healthcare, and the creative industries, he regularly advises on acquisitions and disposals, share buybacks, investment transactions, brand protection, and complex commercial agreements. He is one of only two lawyers in Scotland to hold the prestigious Signet Accreditation in corporate law. A regular public speaker, Kirk has delivered seminars for organisations including ACCA and BioDundee.

Partner John leads our Private Client team in Aberdeen. He is a specialist in the areas of adults with incapacity & guardianship, executries, trusts, wills, powers of attorney, inheritance tax planning and succession planning. He advises on complex Private Client matters, often dealing with high-net-worth individuals and estates. John has a passion for work relating to the AWI legislation and acts as Financial Guardian on behalf of adults with incapacity. He is on the council panel of solicitors for Aberdeen City, Shire and Moray Councils.

Partner Gillian has more than 20 years’ experience advising on all aspects of employment law and is well known for her ‘straight-talking’ approach and for providing practical, solution-focused advice. She particularly enjoys working closely with HR professionals providing strategic support on complex HR issues and employment law training. Gillian frequently advises on reorganisations and redundancies, TUPE, unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, industrial action, settlement agreements and restrictive covenants. She also regularly appears in the Employment Tribunal. Gillian has worked with a broad spectrum of clients across various sectors including offshore energy, aviation, agriculture, finance, the public and third sector. Gillian is also very proud to be a trustee of CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland).

Partner John specialises in commercial real estate and brings over 20 years of experience across all aspects of Scottish property law. He has extensive expertise in cross-border property and corporate transactions, with particular strengths in property finance, investment acquisitions and disposals, development, and asset management. He holds an MBA from the University of Edinburgh Business School and is admitted to practice in Scotland. John advises clients on the full spectrum of commercial real estate matters, with a focus on corporate and cross-border deals, as well as property finance. He has a particular interest in the healthcare sector and over 25 years’ experience representing clients including care home and primary care developers, operators, and investors.

Joint Managing Partner Emma joined Blackadders in 2013 to lead the Commercial Real Estate team, following 13 years with Burness in Edinburgh. Dual qualified in Scots and English law, she is a highly experienced property practitioner with particular expertise in property finance, investment and development transactions, and landlord and tenant negotiations—especially across the office, retail, and leisure sectors. Now serving as Joint Managing Partner alongside Ryan McKay, Emma plays a key role in shaping and delivering the firm’s strategic vision. She is passionate about providing first-class client service and nurturing the development of our people. Emma continues to bring a wealth of sector knowledge to her work, regularly advising housebuilders, developers, SIPP providers, property investors, and retailers.

Partner Leanne advises a broad range of clients on all their property requirements with a particular focus on investment transactions including acquisitions, disposals and asset management, primarily on office, retail and industrial assets. She also acts for both developer and landowner clients in negotiating complex option agreements for both residential development and renewable energy deals including battery and windfarm developments throughout Scotland. Leanne also has a strong background in acting for both lenders and borrowers on high value real estate finance transactions and has significant expertise in dealing with the property aspects of corporate, restructuring and complex cross-border property deals.

Partner James assists clients on the full range of Private Client services including wills, succession planning, inheritance tax mitigation, incapacity, executry administration and the setting up and administration of trusts.

Partner Stuart brings over a decade of experience working in Edinburgh with one of the country’s largest commercial property teams, as well as with a respected private client firm handling their commercial property needs. He has extensive expertise across all aspects of commercial and residential property, including investment acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant matters, and property finance. Stuart regularly advises on the Scottish elements of cross-border portfolio projects and acts for lenders and institutional investors in secured lending transactions. His client base includes UK and international companies, financial institutions, private individuals, and personal pension schemes. He represents both landlords and tenants in retail, office, and other commercial lettings. Stuart’s practice covers the full spectrum of property-related transactions, with particular focus on investment deals and leasing work. His clients range from institutional investors, banks, and development companies to private individuals involved in property investment and leasing. In addition to his legal work, Stuart serves as the Clerk to the Guildry Incorporation of Dundee.

Partner Suzi is a highly experienced lawyer, advising clients on M&A, investment rounds and general corporate matters. Recognised for her ability to work collaboratively and understand her clients’ expectations and commercial objectives, Suzi has a particular specialism in finance work and regularly works with financial institutions, corporates, borrowers and lenders on a wide range of Scottish, cross-border and international banking and finance transactions.

Gareth is a partner in our Family Law team. Experienced in family law matters for approaching three decades, Gareth is regularly instructed in matters relating to care and contact arrangements for children and the financial consequences of relationship breakdown. He also has significant experience in adoption and permanence matters. He is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in both Family Law and Child Law. Gareth is trained in the collaborative family law model and conducts cases this way regularly. He encourages a co-operative and child-centred approach to family disputes, but equally is robust and assertive when necessary. Gareth regularly appears in the Sheriff Court in respect of family law cases, generally conducting cases himself without reliance on Counsel. His significant experience covers financial provision on divorce, claims arising out of cohabitation and cases relating to care and contact arrangements for children, including relocation cases. He advises clients on high-value financial provision divorce cases brought in both the Court of Session and the Sheriff Court. He also offers advice and representation in contentious guardianship applications. Gareth has been appointed by Aberdeen Sheriff Court to prepare child welfare reports in unresolved child cases. Gareth is a member of the Law Society of Scotland Child Law accreditation assessment panel. He has been appointed in court as a person of skill to assist in resolution of a professional fees dispute relating to a divorce. He has been engaged as an ad hoc tutor at the University of Aberdeen for the Civil Court module of the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. He previously tutored on the Private Client module of the Diploma at the Robert Gordon University. Gareth is a member of the Family Law Association and Consensus Scotland.

Laura is Partner and Head of Blackadders nationwide Private Client Group. She has almost 20 years of experience advising on wills, succession, taxation, asset protection; and a particular expertise in adults with incapacity including powers of attorney, guardianships and financial management. Laura also deals with the creation and administration of all types of trusts including charities. She also prepares expert reports. Laura is Dundee based but attends all offices throughout Scotland regularly. Laura acts for individuals, other firms, charities and local authorities throughout Scotland. Laura values her status as a trusted advisor and works hard to understand what clients want to achieve before providing advice in a clear and understandable way. Her approachable nature, modern outlook and commitment to excellent client service mean Laura is routinely sought out for her expert advice.

Partner Susan has more than 15 years’ experience of corporate and commercial law, and was formerly a partner in a large Edinburgh law firm. She deals with a variety of matters across a range of sectors, including company and business sales and purchases, joint ventures, investment rounds, commercial contracts and intellectual property. She also has significant experience in the timeshare and vacation ownership industry, having advised clients operating in this area for a number of years. With a clear focus on client service, Susan offers commercial and pragmatic advice and is committed to securing the best outcome for her clients.

Joint Managing Partner Together with Emma Gray, Ryan leads the strategic direction of the firm and oversees its operational and financial performance. Ryan also has a wealth of experience in the field of dispute resolution, particularly property disputes, insolvency, contentious private client, and regulatory matters.

Partner & Head of Dispute Resolution. Fiona has more than 25 years’ experience in dispute resolution, advising and representing clients in a wide range of courts and specialist tribunals, including the Sheriff Court, Court of Session, and the United Kingdom Supreme Court. In addition to her litigation work, Fiona practises in the field of professional discipline and regulation. Fiona qualified as a solicitor in 1999 and as a solicitor-advocate (civil) in 2009. She is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Regulation of Professional Conduct Law.

Director Joanne is an experienced family lawyer who has practised Family Law almost exclusively throughout her career. She is accredited as a Specialist in Family Law, Child Law, and as a Family Law Mediator, and is also trained as a Collaborative Family Lawyer. She advises on a broad range of Family Law matters, including, Financial provision upon divorce and separation; Cohabitee claims and cohabitation agreements; Pre- and post-nuptial agreements; Issues involving children, such as parental responsibilities and rights, residence, contact, and adoption. Joanne regularly appears in the Sheriff Court and has acted as the instructing solicitor in cases brought before the Court of Session. She finds great satisfaction in helping clients navigate what is often a difficult and emotionally challenging time in their lives.

Partner Karen helps clients organise their personal affairs, advising on wills, succession planning, asset protection, inheritance tax mitigation, incapacity, executry administration, the setting up and administration of trusts, including personal injury trusts. Karen is frequently asked to provide advice to the elderly, vulnerable and assist those who lack legal capacity. She is considered to be one of Scotland’s leading legal advisers on personal injury trusts.

John Plenderleath

Consultant John has been practising law in Aberdeen since the early 1980s, serving a wide and loyal client base both locally and further afield. As one of the founding partners of Plenderleath Runcie, he played a key role in establishing its strong reputation over 21 years of successful practice. With over four decades of experience in the legal profession, John brings extensive expertise across a broad spectrum of business-related matters. His work includes residential and commercial property transactions, commercial leases and developments, corporate acquisitions and disposals, mergers and acquisitions, share sales, and commercial real estate. He works primarily within the Business division, with a particular focus on the Corporate and Commercial team, though he also advises on a variety of other legal issues.

Partner and Head of our Commercial Real Estate team and also Chairman for Blackadders LLP. Neil has worked in the commercial real estate sector for over 30 years. He has a wide range of clients across various sectors including developers, investment, retail and leisure. Neil takes a focused and pragmatic approach and is very much about getting the deal done, whilst at the same time ensuring his client’s interests are fully protected.

Partner Dale has over 25 years of experience covering wills, tax planning, executries and trusts. For clients planning their wills and succession matters, he gives practical advice and is adept at explaining what can be quite tricky issues in an easier-to-understand manner. His experience in executry and trust administration including many estates with a foreign element, and those with complex tax issues to be addressed, enables him to give tailored advice, anticipating and avoiding potential pitfalls which could otherwise arise. His expertise in taxes, particularly inheritance tax, ensures estates are dealt with in the most tax efficient manner. Dale is also qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and can advise clients with cross-border issues.

Partner Colin has a wealth of experience, having practised as a solicitor in the city for over 40 years. His main area of work is assisting with the winding up of estates, the preparation of wills and powers of attorney, the setting up and administration of trusts. In recent years, he has found himself advising on issues arising from more complex wills and executries. He also advises on residential conveyancing including the purchase and sale of properties.

Partner and Head of Family Law Recognised as one of Scotland’s leading Family lawyers, Craig specialises in divorce, financial provision on divorce, separations, child law (both domestic and international), adoption, cohabitation claims and pre-nuptial agreements. Craig is passionate about Mediation and Collaborative Practice.

Partner Recognised as one of Scotland’s leading family lawyers, Shona works with her clients to ensure that the process used is the one best suited to their needs and is able to work with clients as a mediator, collaborative lawyer, in traditional negotiation or where necessary by representing them in court.

Director Richard advises clients on a range of corporate and commercial matters including M&A, funding rounds and intellectual property advice. He works with a number of innovative, high growth companies and has firmly established himself as a leading adviser within the video games sector. Richard is also the Company Law module organiser on the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Dundee.

Director Andrew works in our Commercial Real Estate team on all manner of commercial real estate transactions, from sale and purchase to financing and refinancing, and leasing, whether acting for the seller, purchaser, borrower, lender, landlord or tenant. He worked in the in-house legal team for several years with a major developer and spent seven years as a lawyer in the UAE. This breadth of experience (and his responsive and focused nature) gives him a unique perspective which he brings to transactions to assist his clients.