Newton poached to head HBJ’s Glasgow office

ONE of Scotland’s top property experts has been poached by law firm HBJ Gateley from rival McGrigors to head its expanding Glasgow office.

Alison Newton had been a partner with McGrigors – one of the country’s co-called “big five” legal firms – since 1994 and is highly rated in industry directories Legal 500 and Chambers.

As well as heading HBJ’s west coast operation, Newton will become a partner with the firm and join its management board.

She said she had been drawn by the “hunger and ambition which is so evident at HBJ”.

Newton, whose roles outside the law include six years as a member of the Court at the University of Dundee, added: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity to take the skills, knowledge and experience from my career and play a central role in building on the excellent client work already being delivered in Glasgow and across HBJ Gateley.”

Malcolm McPherson, senior partner at HBJ, said: “This is a period of strong growth for the firm and Alison’s track record, talent and experience will be a key factor in continuing that growth.”

HBJ has 145 partners and more than 400 fee-earners across seven UK offices and an operation in Dubai.

Newton is the latest high-profile appointment for the firm, which in May hired former Murray International group secretary David Horne as a corporate partner.