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Shona Smith

Shona Smith

More information
Blackadders LLP

Blackadders LLP

United Kingdom - Scotland • Private client

1

Family

The practice at Blackadders LLP handles the range of disputes and advisory matters, including complex financial provision work, cross-border work, cohabitation matters, and cases involving abuse and criminal acts. Craig Samson leads the team, and Gareth Masson brings experience in international child and divorce matters. Joanne Murray is also central to the firm’s offering. Shona Smith joined from Balfour+Manson LLP in August 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Phone
0131 222 8000
Email
[email protected]
Profile
blackadders.co.uk

Profile

Work Department
Family Law
Position

Partner

Recognised as one of Scotland’s leading family lawyers, based in our Edinburgh office, 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.

Career

Qualified 1991. Partner Balfour Manson LLP 2001 – 2024. Head of Family Law Team Balfour Manson LLP 2014-2024. Joined Blackadders LLP as Partner August 2024.

Memberships
  • Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in family law
  • Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a mediator
  • Qualified arbitrator under the auspices Of FLAGS
  • Leading Partner – Legal 500
  • Band 1 – Chambers and Partners
Shona is a former Chair and Treasurer of the Family Law Association, former Board member of the Child Law Centre, founding member of both Consensus and FLAGS. She was a founding member of the Scottish section of the Five Jurisdictions Conference in 2001 and continued as an organiser and treasurer until 2024. She sits as a committee member on the Law Society of Scotland’s Child and Family Law subcommittee and is a member of CALM mediation’s convenors group. She was co-editor of Greens Family Law Bulleting between 2013 and 2026 and is a contributor to Butterworth’s looseleaf Family Law Service.

Content supplied by Blackadders LLP

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Shona Smith is a formidable opponent but kind and reasonable to deal with - excellent at her job. Craig Samson knows his stuff - robust when required.’

  • ‘A great family law team, with real strength and depth, and filled with people that you are delighted to have on the other side of a case because you know that they will be pragmatic and focused.’

  • ‘Craig Samson and Shona Smith are both standout individuals. They approach cases sensitively and pragmatically. Both are happy to roll their proverbial sleeves up, think outside the box, and explore resolutions.’

  • ‘When we first met someone from Blackadders, they took the time to listen to our story, were very empathetic, and offered sound advice. It was the first time we had felt that this was a firm that could help fight for us. The process was very simple with clear information along each of the steps.'

  • ‘Craig Samson. His approach was so appealing that we chose Blackadders after our first meeting. We cannot recommend Blackadders highly enough.’

  • ‘Craig Samson is a major presence in Glasgow/Edinburgh. A real heavyweight in money cases. Gareth Masson in the Aberdeen office is also a very safe pair of hands who undertakes his own advocacy. He is assisted by Joanne Murray in Aberdeen who is detail-orientated.’