Scots legal firms unveil changes at the top

Two of Scotland’s best-known legal firms are to undergo changes at the helm.

Morton Fraser, which has offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, said Linda Urquhart was retiring after 33 years with the practice. She will be replaced as chair by Maggie Moodie, who leads the firm’s public sector arm.

In 1999, Urquhart became the first female managing partner of a major law firm in Scotland and went on to become the first female chair of business organisation CBI Scotland in 2009. She took on the role of chair of Morton Fraser in 2011 and received an OBE for services to business in Scotland the following year.

Urquhart, who will continue as a “portfolio non-executive director”, said: “The legal profession has changed significantly since I became a commercial property lawyer in the 1980s. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as partner, CEO and chair of Morton Fraser and am confident in its continued success.”

Moodie will be chair for the next three years while continuing to lead the firm’s public sector team.

Meanwhile, rival law firm Anderson Strathern today announced the appointment of corporate partner Bruce Farquhar as chair to lead it during its next phase of growth, working alongside managing partner Murray Mccall.

Farquhar takes over from the current chairman, Robert Carr, who stands down on 31 March after 12 years in the role. Carr remains a partner at the firm and will lead its newly established advocacy and legal opinions unit. 0 Linda Urquhart is retiring after 33 years at the firm