A lawyer at the helm of a high-profile firm that collapsed owing £2.6 million to clients and creditors has a new job advising the Kuwaiti owners of a championship football club south of the Border.

Jim Price, 53, had his solicitor's licence to practise suspended as an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at Ross Harper, once a major name on the high street, began.

He and three other managing partners were in charge of the firm at the time it went bust, with the Law Society of Scotland concerned client funds had been used to keep the firm running.

While the investigation continues, Mr Price has been appointed as adviser to the owners of Nottingham Forest Football Club (NFFC), which was bought by the al Hasawi family last year.

The owners have since re-installed Billy Davies, who is acquainted with Mr Price, as manager.

Some supporters have raised concerns over Mr Price's new role with the club given the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, more than 360 clients and creditors of Ross Harper are still owed money by the firm and are embarking on a lengthy process to retrieve some of their funds through a solicitors' guarantee fund. More than 20 members of staff lost their jobs.

Kevin Finnegan, editor of the Vital Forest fans website, said: "While it's important to remember that no charges have been brought against Mr. Price, I do believe it fair to question his suitability for such a high-profile role at Nottingham Forest Football Club.

"It is a fact he was a co-managing partner in one of Scotland's most reputable and successful law firms and because of the busi- ness acumen of Mr Price and his co-partners, that firm was closed down and ceased trading. Mr Price also had his licence to practise law suspended.

"As a supporter of NFFC for over 30 years, I would question what qualifies Mr Price to give advice to the owners of our club, bearing in mind his recent failings in the business world. Supporters of every football club in the land want their clubs run by the best possible and most suitable people for those roles. I don't believe on the evidence that I've seen, that Mr Price is best suited for such a high-profile role at NFFC."

Mr Price has long been an adviser to Davies, who first served Forest as manager between 2008 and 2011 after leading Motherwell between 1998 and 2001.

In the early part of his career, Davies played for Rangers, St Mirren and Motherwell.

NFFC yesterday confirmed that Mr Price had an advisory role to the club but would make no further comment on concerns about his appointment.

The Law Society of Scotland (LSS) confirmed Mr Price was still suspended from practising law, along with former colleagues Alan Miller, Joseph Mullen and Paul McHolland.

At the time, the professional body described the collapse of Ross Harper – which produced high-profile lawyers including former First Minister Donald Dewar – as the end of an era.

In February, a creditors' meeting was called by liquidators of Ross Harper with documents stating 367 individuals and companies were owed money following the firm's collapse in April 2011.

This does not include partners who are due repayment of their capital accounts.

The LSS declined to comment. Its rules state that it is an offence for someone to hold themselves out as a solicitor if they do not have a practising certificate.