Anderson Strathern introduces new role of director

ANDERSON Strathern has become the latest law firm to offer its lawyers an alternative to partnership with the introduction of a new director role.

Billed as a position that will be complementary to the Edinburghheadquartered firm’s partner base, the role of director has been established to offer lawyers who are not on the partnership track the opportunity to nevertheless take on a senior position in the firm.

Six lawyers have been promoted into the role initially, with each taking part in a leadershiptraining programme that incorporates coaching on business development skills and how to interpret law firm financials.

The firm’s managing partner Murray Mccall said the creation of the role would allow the firm to develop senior talent “by offering a promotion structure and leadership training that works for a modern law firm”.

This gives a promotion structure that works for a modern firm

“Our directors will have a strong and secure foundation for their and for our future development at a time of exciting business growth for the firm.

“It’s a win, win situation,” he added.

Last year rival Harper Macleod updated its own corporate structure, introducing the roles of senior solicitor and senior associate in a bid to give legal staff better defined career paths.

Its chief executive Martin Darroch said at the time that the move would also allow the firm to better demonstrate to clients that it was staffing matters with the correct level of personnel.

The six Anderson Strathern solicitors taking up the new directorships are private client lawyer Victoria Simpson, dispute resolution specialists Gary Burton, Sarah Philips and Robbie Wilson, and Neil Fraser and Jon Mcgee in commercial real estate.