Law firm Garden Stirling Burnet has launched what it says is the biggest family law division in East Lothian with four additions to its team.
Garden Stirling Burnet’s family law division will be led by legal director, Claire Christie, recognised as a ‘practitioner of note’ in the Legal 500 2021 edition. She started her career in 2005 at Turcan Connell and joins her new firm from.SKO Solicitors.
Joining her in a consultancy role is Kathryn Wilson, formerly of Melrose and Porteous Solicitors in Eyemouth and Duns in the Borders. She has 35 years of legal experience – including 25 years as a partner.
Fellow consultant Angela Craig and family law paralegal, Amanda Richardson, have also joined the team.
Ms Christie says she’s pleased to be back in her home region of East Lothian.
READ MORE: Friends Legal acquires Garden Stirling Burnet
She said: “We wanted to take an institution which has a long-standing reputation within the local community and add the highest quality family law advice to its repertoire.
“To have the opportunity to build something up from scratch is wonderful. I did a similar thing at a large Glasgow practice when it wanted to open a family law branch in Edinburgh; so, to have an opportunity like that again on a larger scale is really exciting.
“I’m an East Lothian resident myself so I understand how important it is to build relationships with the local community and I hope the experience our team will bring to the region will provide a positive outcome for all those seeking legal advice in family law.”
She added: “We see great opportunities in redefining the family law process through a collaborative approach with other firms within the region. This will provide a more forward-thinking and less adversarial method of dispute resolution for clients. We hope other solicitors in East Lothian will also be interested in developing this family-focused alternative process for the public.
“Garden Stirling Burnet had a strong family law presence, and so we want to establish the firm’s reputation as the pinnacle for family law within East Lothian and beyond.”
Managing partner of Garden Stirling Burnet, Tony O’Malley, said: “We’ve long considered family law a real growth opportunity in East Lothian and are excited to have recruited Claire to lead the team as legal director.
“She has a fantastic reputation and has all the legal, management and marketing skills required to grow the department, not just in our core area of East Lothian, but beyond. She will also be a valuable member of the new senior management team.
“Kathryn brings many years of family law experience, but also of running her own law practice. Her experience and enthusiasm will be a benefit to Claire and the wider business. We are extremely fortunate to have been able to recruit such high calibre lawyers and look forward to working with them.”
Last year, Garden Stirling Burnet was taken over by Friends Legal, creating a £7m-turnover business with 60 staff in six offices across Scotland.
Garden Stirling Burnet has since seen rapid investment into its 22-strong team across its offices in Dunbar, Haddington, North Berwick and Tranent, and has ambitions to double its headcount and turnover within the next three years.
