Law firm Davidson Chalmers lures Ogston to tackle ownership rule changes

Published on Saturday 1 August 2009 14:15

JACK Ogston, former head of corporate and structured finance at Clydesdale Bank, is joining the board of commercial law firm Davidson Chalmers, to help it tackle changes in ownership rules in the profession.

Andrew Chalmers, chief executive of Davidson Chalmers, heralded Ogston's arrival at the firm as "ground breaking in many ways for the legal profession in Scotland".

Law firms rarely appoint non-lawyers to their boards, although the practice could become much more common if rules regarding the ownership of legal practices are relaxed.

So-called "alternative business structures" – which will allow non-lawyers to own law firms – are expected to be introduced in England and Wales before 2011.

The move has been branded "Tesco law" after critics said it would lead to supermarkets buying law firms.

The Scottish Government launched a consultation on alternative business structures in January, with the Law Society of Scotland urging the administration to change the rules as soon as possible, following a vote in favour of the measures at the society's 2008 annual general meeting.

Chalmers said bringing Ogston on board was in preparation for such changes, but said he did not expect the banker to become a member of the firm's limited liability partnership.

Commenting on Ogston's appointment, Chalmers added: "His extensive range of contacts and vast experience of Scottish business will be invaluable to us as we pursue our strategy of growth in these challenging economic times."

Ogston said: "This is not the time to sit behind a desk and hope that new business will come through the door – you have to get out there use your contacts and generate new business and that is what we plan to do."