Doula 'first' for Scots law firms

Hilary Peppiette, described as one of Scotland’s first end of life doulas, has joined independent law firm BTO Solicitors.

It is claimed BTO is the first Scottish law firm to offer such specialist counselling and support to clients facing their final days.

The role of a doula is to provide support and companionship for people living with a life-limiting illness. Support can be practical, emotional and spiritual if desired.

Ms Peppiette has extensive experience as a solicitor in other legal firms advising on wills, powers of attorney, end of life planning and executries.

She trained for two years Living Well Dying Well to become an end of life doula.

She said: "In an ideal world the doula role would be fulfilled by the family and friends of a dying person, but often people aren’t comfortable around death and for many reasons are unable to provide the support needed."

Alexander Scott has also joined BTO’s residential property team as an estate agent and valuer.

Lesley Gordon, BTO partner, said Ms Peppiette's appointment "is a first for a law firm in Scotland and we are delighted to be leading the way in this regard".

She said the firm hopes Mr Scott's appointment “will lead to us further increasing our share of the residential sales market”.

Green building expert joins Cushman & Wakefield

Andrew Baker, described by Cushman & Wakefield as one of the UK’s leading experts on green buildings, has been appointed as its new head of energy, infrastructure and sustainability.

Mr Baker joins the real estate services firm from CBRE where he was based for eight years.

He will lead a national team located in Leeds, Edinburgh and London.

The team advises clients on how to protect real estate portfolios from obsolescence due to rapidly-changing occupier expectations for flexible, healthy and sustainable workplaces.

It also supports clients in addressing challenges such as complex legislation and fluctuating energy prices.

Mr Baker said: “I’m very much looking forward to creating real change.”

Stuart Dorward, head of Scotland for Cushman & Wakefield, added: “Andrew is a standout performer in sustainability consultancy and we are pleased to have him on board."

New partner and associate join law firm

Aberdein Considine has strengthened its private client and banking litigation teams with the appointment of a new partner and associate.

James MacKinnon has joined the firm as partner and head of private client for Edinburgh, and John Di Paola as an associate in the banking litigation team.

Mr MacKinnon was previously legal director at Gillespie Macandrew and has almost 15 years’ experience providing advice on wills, powers of attorney and the administration of executries and trusts.

Mr Di Paulo joins the firm’s lender services from the Ascent Performance Group.

He specialises in the recovery of heritable property, banking litigation and debt recovery, has appeared regularly in the Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland and also has experience in the Sheriff Appeal Court and Court of Session.

Jacqueline Law, managing partner at Aberdein Considine, said Mr Mackinnon is "one of the foremost experts in his field, and his knowledge and experience is highly regarded".

Myra Scott, head of the lender services practice group at Aberdein Considine, said Mr Di Paola will be "a great asset as we continue to support our clients in a continually changing and complex area of the law".