Ross Brown
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2309
rbrown@homack.co.uk
About Ross
Ross heads our Private Client team. He qualified as a solicitor in 2009 and, having specialised in this area of the law for over ten years at another firm, joined Holmes Mackillop as a Director in May 2022. He is known as a pragmatic advisor with an empathetic approach who is able to put his clients at ease during even the most difficult of times.
Ross helps individuals with legal issues which affect them and their families personally and helps them put appropriate mechanisms in place to achieve their goals and protect their interests. Ross's bread and butter is advising and assisting individuals with setting up Wills and Powers of Attorney - this is the most common reason people come to see him. However, it is rare that this is all he talks with clients about.
Usually, questions about Inheritance Tax (IHT), the protection of vulnerable beneficiaries, asset protection or care cost planning come up and Ross offers detailed and expert advice on what steps may be appropriate.
IHT and business succession planning are areas of particular specialism which Ross can advise on.
Ross is a full member of the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners (STEP).
Qualifications
LLB (2006)
STEP
Notary Public
Areas of Practice
Paul Campbell
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
pcampbell@homack.co.uk
About Paul
Paul joined Holmes Mackillop as a student in 2023, and is now undertaking his Traineeship at our Glasgow office. Whilst completing his studies, Paul regularly assisted our Private Client and Property Teams gaining valuable experience on the administration of Estates, and on aspects of residential conveyancing. Paul graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2023 and went on to complete the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice there in 2024.
Paul is currently working in our Property Team, assisting with aspects of residential and commercial conveyancing.
Qualifications
- LLB Law (Hons), University of Glasgow 2023
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow 2024
Elaine Clark
Legal Executive
Legal Executive
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2306
eclark@homack.co.uk
About Elaine
Elaine is a paralegal within Holmes Mackillop’s Private Client team in our Glasgow office. Elaine joined Holmes Mackillop in May 2022 and has many years of experience having worked in the private client field since 1990. She qualified as a SOLAS Trust Accountant in 1992, moving on to qualify as a paralegal in 1998.
Elaine specialises in the administration of Trusts, Executries, Guardianships and Powers of Attorney and her main goal is to take the burden in dealing with such matters from her clients and provide them with a friendly, effective and efficient service.
Areas of Practice
Karen Condie
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
⁺44 (0)141 226 2322
kcondie@homack.co.uk
About Karen
Karen is the Director leading our Dispute Resolution & Litigation, Employment and Family & Divorce teams. A graduate of Glasgow University, Karen qualified as a solicitor in 1988 working in both the private and public sectors before joining Holmes Mackillop in 1999.
With many years’ experience in contentious matters, her pragmatic and empathetic approach is appreciated by our clients. Karen is focused from the outset on achieving the best result for our clients.
Karen’s employment practice serves both employers and employees, advising on compliance and providing representation at tribunal.
Qualifications
LLB Hons University of Glasgow
Diploma in Legal Practice University of Glasgow
Notary Public
Practice Areas
Dispute Resolution and Litigation
Employment
Family and Divorce
Shona Currie
Tax Assistant
Tax Assistant
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2308
scurrie@homack.co.uk
About Shona
Shona joined Holmes Mackillop’s Private Client Team in June 2022 and brings with her years of tax experience within both the legal and accountancy sectors. Her focus is personal tax (which includes the preparation and submission of tax returns for individuals), capital gains tax, and dealing with tax matters for Trusts and Executries.
Shona commenced her taxation career in 1983 within the accountancy profession, where she gained her knowledge relating to taxation matters. She then transferred to the Legal Sector in 1995, and qualified as a Private Client Paralegal in 1997.
Shona is approachable and friendly, and her clients appreciate her dedication to helping them sort their tax affairs efficiently and timeously.
Areas of Practice
Rona Dempsey
Paralegal
Paralegal
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
rdempsey@homack.co.uk
About Rona
Rona joined Holmes Mackillop in 2013 and is a key member of our property team.
Since graduating in 2005 Rona has experience working as both a Commercial and Residential Property Paralegal in busy commercial legal firms and handles both house purchases and sales.
Qualifications
HND Legal Services Glasgow Central College of Commerce
Residential Conveyancing Paralegal Certificate
Commercial Property Paralegal Certificate
Areas of Practice
Emma Donaldson
Senior Associate
Senior Associate
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2307
edonaldson@homack.co.uk
About Emma
Emma qualified as a solicitor in 2007, and has focused since then on working for individuals and families in Private Client matters. She assists clients by assessing their own particular family circumstances and advising on how a will can be tailored to their needs, including advice on Inheritance Tax. She advises on Powers of Attorney, the duties of Attorneys and on Guardianship administration.
Emma also has extensive experience in estate administration and provides support to the executors and beneficiaries throughout the process.
Emma is a full member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). She is also a tutor on the Private Client course on the Diploma for Professional Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow.
Qualifications
MA (Hons) Ancient History – University of Edinburgh
LLB – University of Strathclyde
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice – Glasgow Graduate School of Law
STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates (Scotland)
Areas of Practice
Craig Donnelly
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2315
cdonnelly@homack.co.uk
About Craig
Craig has a wealth of experience in commercial and consumer litigation for a broad spectrum of clients and businesses. He provides practical pre- and post-litigation advice to clients, always adopting a commercial approach. Craig routinely appears in sheriff courts across Scotland as well as the Scottish Tribunals to conduct proofs (civil trials), debates and other contentious hearings. He has a particular interest in commercial disputes and insolvency litigation and works closely with insolvency practitioners and sheriff officers to maximise recovery for clients.
Qualifications
Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Glasgow
Notary Public
Chartered Management Institute Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management & Leadership
Areas of Practice
Sean Fraser
Associate
Associate
Glasgow
+44(0)141 226 4942
sfraser@homack.co.uk
About Sean
Sean joined Holmes Mackillop in October 2024 as an Associate in the firm’s Glasgow office. Sean qualified as a solicitor in 2021 and is experienced in both residential and commercial property, and will be working as part of the firm’s commercial property team alongside our Directors, Kevin Thompson and Amir Ismail. Sean has a particular interest in corporate-support property transactions, as well as investment sales and acquisitions.
Qualifications-
• LLB Law (Hons), University of Strathclyde 2017
• Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow 2018
• Notary Public
Areas of Practice
Amir Ismail
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2302
aismail@homack.co.uk
About Amir
After graduating Amir completed a 2 year specialised traineeship in Commercial Property. He then continued to focus in this area upon qualifying as a solicitor before joining Holmes Mackillop in 2015.
Amir is experienced in all aspects of the sale and purchase of commercial property, including site acquisition, development, plot sales, investment properties, offices, shops and industrial units.
He also undertakes a large volume of commercial leasing work, representing the interests of various landlords and tenants, with a view to securing a commercially viable agreement for his clients in each case.
Amir tutors in both Residential and Commercial Conveyancing for the Diploma in Legal Practice course at the University of Glasgow. He is also actively involved in the delivery of ongoing professional training for solicitors, which has included delivering a webinar on behalf of the Law Society of Scotland on Lease Management Documentation.
Amir was appointed as a Director on 1st April 2021.
Qualifications
LLB (Hons), University of Strathclyde (2005)
Dip LP, Glasgow Graduate School of Law (2006)
Areas of Practice
Rachel Loose
Solicitor
Solicitor
Glasgow
rloose@homack.co.uk
About Rachel
Rachel joined Holmes Mackillop in June 2022 and is based in our Glasgow Office. Rachel graduated from Strathclyde University in 2021 with a First Class Honours degree before going on to complete the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice there.
Rachel qualified into our corporate team in 2024, with a particular focus on corporate transactional work.
Qualifications
LLB Law (Hons), University of Strathclyde 2021
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde 2022
Areas of Practice
Kathleen Macleod
Associate
Associate
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2304
kmacleod@homack.co.uk
About Kathleen
Kathleen joined Holmes Mackillop in September 2020 as a Trainee Solicitor and is based in our Glasgow office. During her degree at Strathclyde University, she studied European Law at the University of Valencia for 1 year.
Following successful completion of her traineeship, in which she gained experience in all departments of the firm, Kathleen qualified as a Solicitor and now specialises in all aspects of property law, assisting our Directors Kevin Thompson and Amir Ismail. She was promoted to Senior Solicitor in September 2023 and continues to enjoy a varied and challenging workload in the property department.
Qualifications
Law with Spanish (LLB Hons), University of Strathclyde, 2019
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde, 2020
Areas of Practice
Katherine MacPherson
Associate
Associate
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2304
kmacpherson@homack.co.uk
About Katie
Katherine qualified as a solicitor in 2022 and has experience with Private Client and Residential Conveyancing. Katherine has extensive experience of advising on Wills, Powers of Attorney and Executries along with residential conveyancing.
Qualifications
Law (LLB Hons), University of Aberdeen (2019)
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow (2020)
Notary Public
Areas of Practice
Robbie McAdam
Solicitor
Solicitor
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
rmcadam@homack.co.uk
About Robbie
Robbie joined Holmes Mackillop in August 2024 after having qualified with a National Personal Injury firm in 2023 before moving to a Global Commercial Firm. Robbie is based in the Dispute Resolution & Litigation team within the Glasgow office and deals with a wide range of matters including: commercial disputes, property disputes, and employment matters amongst others.
Robbie regularly appears in Sheriff Courts across Scotland conducting proofs (civil trials) and procedural hearings, as well as appearing in Scottish Tribunals. Prior to qualifying, Robbie was a researcher with an international Governmental Organisation and a prominent Scottish University, researching international environmental law and international climate change law.
Qualifications
Law (LLB Hons), University of Stirling (2017)
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde (2018)
Global Environmental Law and Governance LLM, University of Strathclyde (2021)
Notary Public
Affiliate Member of the W.S Society
Carol Ann McKellar
Practice Manager
Practice Manager
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2340
cmckellar@homack.co.uk
About Carol Ann
Carol Ann is our Practice Manager and is SOLAS qualified.
Carol Ann joined Holmes Mackillop in 2000 with over 15 years’ previous experience in Legal Practice Management. Carol Ann qualified as a Scots Law Accountant in 1992 and works as part of our Private Client Team in all aspects of Trust and Executry administration as well ensuring compliance with the many rules and regulations that govern all Legal Practices.
Carol Ann is a former lecturer for the Society of Law Accountants in Scotland.
Qualifications
Scots Law Accountant (1992)
Law Society of Scotland Accredited Paralegal in Wills & Executries
Areas of Practice
Paula Phinn
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
pphinn@homack.co.uk
About Paula
Paula joined Holmes Mackillop in October 2021 following the merger with Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson and is based in our Glasgow Office. Whilst studying for her degree, Paula regularly assisted the Wills, Estates and Future Planning team in our Giffnock office. Paula graduated from Strathclyde University in 2023 with a First Class Honours degree before going on to complete the Diploma in Legal Practice there.
Paula is currently working in our Dispute Resolution and Litigation team, assisting with commercial and debt recovery court actions as well as family and employment issues.
Qualifications
- LLB Law (Hons), University of Strathclyde 2023
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde 2024
Liam Reilly
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
lreilly@homack.co.uk
About Liam
Liam joined Holmes Mackillop in September 2023 as an admin assistant during his final year of study, before beginning his traineeship in June 2024. Liam graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2023 with a First-Class Honours degree and remained there while completing the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, in which he attained a distinction.
Liam is currently a part of our corporate team, where he assists with corporate transactional work. He will also have the opportunity to work alongside both our property and litigation departments, throughout his traineeship
Qualifications
- LLB Law (Hons), University of Glasgow 2023
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow 2024
Ralph Riddiough
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44(0)141 226 4942
⁺44(0)141 226 2303
⁺44(0)798 098 6718
rriddiough@homack.co.uk
About Ralph
Ralph qualified as a solicitor in 1999. He specialises in corporate transactional work. His clients operate in a typical cross section of Scotland’s economy, and he has particular expertise in renewable energy developments, charity / community projects and the legal issues surrounding information governance.
He was Head of Legal and Democratic Services at South Ayrshire Council from 2014 to 2018, which means he brings considerable insights to matters that have a public sector context.
Qualifications
LLB (Hons), DipLP, The University of Edinburgh
Notary Public
Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
Areas of Practice
Finlay Swan
Associate
Associate
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2310
fswan@homack.co.uk
About Finlay
Finlay joined Holmes Mackillop in October 2020 as a Trainee Solicitor, having graduated from the University of Glasgow. Staying on with the firm after qualifying, Finlay now works as a solicitor in the corporate department at our Glasgow office.
Finlay’s practice area is focused on corporate transactional work, particularly in the healthcare, manufacturing and financial services sectors, but extends to all stages in the lifecycle of a business. Finlay is also experienced in handling the legal issues affecting charities and their governance.
Representing Holmes Mackillop, Finlay lectures Masters students at the University of Glasgow on the key legal considerations entrepreneurs and start-ups must have when growing a business.
Qualifications
LLB Law (Hons), University of Glasgow 2019
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow 2020
Areas of Practice
Kevin Thompson
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
⁺44 (0)141 226 2398
kthompson@homack.co.uk
About Kevin
Kevin heads our property team in Glasgow. He qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and joined Holmes Mackillop in 2007 after working as a commercial property specialist in two of what were Scotland’s largest law firms.
Qualifications
BA University of Strathclyde
MSc University of Strathclyde
LLB University of Strathclyde
Diploma in Legal Practice University of Strathclyde
Notary Public