Get to know a senior partner at Munro and Noble in Inverness
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Q How would you describe your business?
A Munro and Noble is one of the biggest and oldest law firms in the Highlands. Established in 1894, we now employ a staff of 57 at our headquarters in Church Street in Inverness and offices in Dingwall and Aviemore.
We provide a full range of legal services, including estate agency, lettings, and financial services; nearly every kind of civil cases in sheriff courts and the Court of Session in Edinburgh; family and child law and dispute resolution; wills and executory; conveyancing including specialist matters like crofting; and business, company, and employment law.
A unique service we also offer in the area is through our dual-qualified solicitor and trainee who can both work in England and Scotland meaning clients can have one lawyer for cross-border matters. This is particularly beneficial when dealing with the different legal procedures for property sales and purchases when normally lawyers in each country are needed. The one-stop service has attracted work from across Scotland, and England particularly the Borders.
At our hearts, we are primarily a Highland law firm. We are committed to the area and happy and proud to have our headquarters in Inverness city centre.
We are also heavily involved in charity work and worthy causes. The firm has been nominated in the forthcoming 2022 Scottish Law Awards for community engagement and our solicitor Laura McCarthy is in the rising star category for her legal and charity work. The causes we have helped include the Armed Forces Covenant, Archie Foundation, Mikeysline, Treats for Troops, Breakthrough for Breast Cancer, and the British Heart Foundation.
Q What led you into the business?
A I am from Helmsdale, studied law at Aberdeen University and came to Munro and Noble for my traineeship in 2005. Becoming a lawyer was something I always wanted to do and I always wanted to be at Munro and Noble – our family solicitors who had acted for my family in property matters.
I was trained by former senior partner Bruce Miller and I always felt a sense of loyalty to him and had no desire to go elsewhere, although he used to joke I was his worst trainee ever!
I was staff partner dealing with recruitment and HR for eight years and when Bruce retired in 2020, I became senior partner. I am also in charge of our court department with its large team.
Q What is your greatest achievement?
A In terms of business, it would be working my way up from trainee to becoming the senior partner within the same firm. It is probably quite rare.
I have spent my entire career with Munro and Noble and feel strongly about investing in the firm and the future through training and having a gradual and measured business plan.
Q Who do you admire in business?
A Anybody who has the confidence to start up or take forward a business.
Q What’s your advice to budding entrepreneurs?
A Work hard, be patient, and believe in yourself and your ideas.
Be respectful of one another whether you are the senior partner or the most junior – at this firm all are treated the same. If you do make a mistake, learn from it, and make sure you don’t make it again.
Q Can you tell us more about yourself?
A I am the chairwoman of the fundraising board for Archie in the Highlands and Islands and a trustee of the Archie Foundation. We have raised large sums of money to support the children’s unit at Raigmore Hospital and recently completed a Fresh Air project, transforming the area outside the unit.
I am hands-on in the role, from booking venues to sourcing raffle items and helping organise events with the other team members.
I am about to become a director of Brora Rangers Football Club and have been a patron of Helmsdale Highland Games for many years.
