Dundee-based law firm Blackadders unveils new chairman

Scottish law firm Blackadders has unveiled its new chairman – and announced the re-election of its managing partner.

The firm has appointed Peter Duff to the chairman role. Picture: contributed.

The business has appointed Peter Duff to the chair role. He has been a partner in the firm’s Glasgow office since it acquired the Morisons LLP business in the city in 2019. Blackadders said he is “a very experienced business lawyer with specific expertise in corporate and commercial law, and his role will focus on strategy and development”.

The appointment follows the retirement of partner Scott Williamson, who has been in the role for four years. Williamson, who is accredited as a specialist in Trust law, will continue as a consultant.

Johnston Clark has been re-elected as managing partner. Picture: contributed.

Johnston Clark has also been re-elected for the seventh time as managing partner, a position he has held since 2000. He said: “I am looking forward to working closely with our new chairman and the rest of the management board. It is a challenging time for the legal profession with new working practices having been forced upon us – but it is also a time of opportunities and I am confident we can drive the firm into an exciting new era.”

Blackadders has also announced the promotion of HR manager Jane Millar to director of HR and facilities. She will be responsible for the development of the strategic HR plan in line with the firm’s business objectives, and will oversee facilities management, learning and development, and health and safety.

It comes after the firm in October said its legal practice and wealth management teams had both relocated to a larger office in Edinburgh’s West End.