Scotland’s law firms punch well above their weight on the international stage. Our legal brains are among the finest in the world. Scottish firms know how to nurture and support their future talent without driving people into the ground with hefty workloads. Most managing partners recognise the technological piledriver of AI is impacting the profession and admit it is probably harder than ever to climb the career ladder in a law firm. The Business turns the spotlight on 20 young professionals in the business and corporate sector who are already making names for themselves
Brian Pollock
Director, dispute resolution and litigation, Lindsays
Pollock is building a strong reputation in commercial disputes, with clients valuing his technical advice and commitment to securing best outcomes. He also leads on defamation law for Lindsays, supporting businesses manage reputational challenges.
Cath Macrae
Senior associate, Shepherd and Wedderburn
Since qualifying in 2018, Macrae’s technical and commercial acumen has cemented her reputation as one of Scotland’s brightest emerging M&A and private equity lawyers, advising major clients domestically and internationally across several key sectors.
Fiona MacLellan
Director, employment, Burness Paull
MacLellan has been at the forefront of advising Burness Paull’s international client base on emerging employment law issues, including complex litigation in the financial services and sports sectors and the implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the definitions of a ‘man’ and a ‘woman’.
Lauren McFarlane
Senior associate, BTO
Ranked a ‘leading associate’ in intellectual property and media and entertainment by The Legal 500, McFarlane brings value add via her master’s degree in publishing and postgraduate diploma in UK, EU and US copyright law from King’s College, London.
Rachel Fisher
Managing associate, finance, Addleshaw Goddard
Fisher specialises in advising on healthcare lending and sponsor side leveraged finance. She is consistently referred to by clients as being “fantastic” and “incredible”. She is the lead associate in relation to several of Addleshaw Goddard’s large key clients and is considered as a rising star within the UK finance team.
Cameron Broome
Corporate solicitor, Macdonald Henderson
Broome has a deep understanding of business operations which have given him head start when dealing with corporate matters, including M&A, management buyouts and private equity investment. He is an approachable, astute legal adviser who has been building strong client relationships.
Katrina Hall
Solicitor, corporate services, DWF
Alongside her corporate legal role, Hall co-leads DWF’s 5STAR futures school engagement programme, mentors trainees, is active in DWF’s Link network for emerging leaders and forges strong client relationships working collaboratively on corporate social responsibility activities.
Julie McConnell
Business development and marketing director, Brodies
McConnell is a change-maker. She brings two decades of legal expertise and strategic insight to Brodies. A champion of equality and a committed mentor, she leads with innovation, client focus and a vision for inclusive, technology-driven growth.
Hilary Steer
Senior solicitor, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie
Steer is a senior solicitor in the firm’s conflict resolution group working to help clients settle the toughest challenges. She completed her traineeship in 2023 and is honing her experience in property, commercial contract and debt collection.
Emma Reid
Director of planning, Shepherd and Wedderburn
Reid specialises in advising developers of renewable energy projects on planning law. Clients praise her “personal touch, combined with first- rate legal knowledge” as a “subject matter expert” who “genuinely cares about our success”.
Ellen Masters
Senior associate, banking litigation, Aberdein Considine
A standout talent in banking litigation and professional negligence, and trusted adviser to major UK lenders, Masters’ expertise and leadership have hugely impacted team growth, revenue, and client satisfaction, earning praise from colleagues and clients alike.
Abbie Harley
Senior associate, employment, CMS
Harley is an exceptional employment lawyer and litigator. She regularly navigates high value, high risk claims with expert client skills and leadership and more widely in supporting financial services and other clients.
Emily Glen-Hencher
Senior solicitor, Macdonald Henderson
Glen-Hencher advises on a broad spectrum of corporate and commercial matters. Her high value transactional experience is extensive, and she combines sharp legal insight with a calm, solutions-focused mindset, earning the trust of clients and colleagues.
Alastair McNaughton
Senior associate, corporate, CMS
McNaughton leads cross border, high value M&A deals. He is adept at drafting and negotiating complex deal issues and explaining them in a user-friendly manner. He is a trusted adviser to many clients.
Fiona Carlin
Director, restructuring and insolvency, Burness Paull
Just two restructuring plans have been sanctioned in Scotland since they were introduced in 2020 as an option for companies in financial distress. That Carlin has advised on both is testament to the strength of her specialist expertise.
Aaron Kane
Solicitor advocate, BTO
Kane was recommended by The Legal 500 for Commercial litigation, debt recovery, property litigation and social housing. He successfully pursued a debtor on behalf of a company and its principal shareholder for repayment of a £1m loan.
Nicola McGorm
Associate, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie
McGorm was recognised as a rising star of the year finalist at the Scottish Legal Awards 2025. She excels in her private client work, handling an array of high value, highly sensitive and complex cases.
Michael Higgins
Senior associate, insurance, DWF
Higgins excels in defending complex medical negligence claims. A dynamic court advocate and team leader, he delivers outstanding results for insurers and policyholders in high-stakes litigation.
Marieclaire Reid
Real estate senior associate, BTO
Reid has worked on a £150m energy deal recently and is recommended for her work in energy (excluding oil & gas) and social housing by The Legal 500.
Kathleen Willis
Senior associate, personal injury, Lindsays
Recognised for her expertise in complex clinical negligence, employer and public liability cases, Willis has an impressive knowledge of personal injury law and court procedure. Clients particularly value her concise advice and exceptional advocacy skills.
