November 18, 2024
Full article
Gilson Gray has continued its aggressive growth plans by adding one of the industry’s most respected names to its family law team.
Multi-award winning Gilson Gray has appointed Denise Laverty, adual qualified family and divorce lawyer and accredited family law specialist with over 26 years’ experience in Scotland and England.
She joins as Legal Director from BTO Solicitors having previously been brought in to Anderson Strathern to set up a family law team in their Glasgow Office.
Her remit will be to assist in driving forward the growth of the family law team in Gilson Gray’s Glasgow office as it continues towards its goal of becoming the leading family law team in Scotland.
Denise is dual qualified in Scotland and in England & Wales, bringing the number of dual qualified lawyers in the family law team to three. She is recognised as a leader in her field and has particular experience in cross border legal issues being recommended in the Legal 500 directory for English and Scottish jurisdictional issues.
Denise said: “ I am delighted to be joining such a disruptive firm that offers clients a far more approachable service. Although the family law team at Gilson Gray was established only two years ago, it has already made its mark, both in terms of the profile of the team and the quality of work it attracts.
“I had been closely watching the rapid growth of the firm and when the opportunity came to join the family law team here it was a really attractive proposition for me. Traditionally legal firms have a very hierarchical culture and to be able to join a company that actively promotes respect and working in a collegiate environment where every single person in the business has an opinion that is valued is like a breath of fresh air.”
“ I will be joined by a new member of the family law team in Glasgow at the end of this summer, so it’s incredibly exciting times for us as we continue our march to become the biggest and best firm in the country.”
Gilson Gray opened in 2014 and capitalised on the disconnect culturally and commercially that exists within law firms to create a company that does things in a more enjoyable way for staff and clients.
The firm believes in doing things differently from the norm and recently held its annual company away day, which this year focused on wellness and ensuring its staff achieve an optimum work-life balance.
Philippa Cunniff, Partner, Head of Family Law at Gilson Gray, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Denise to the firm. “Our ability to attract someone of Denise’s stature and calibre to the family law team demonstrates both our commitment to growing our successful family law team and the fact that the firm appeals to the top talent in the profession.”
“It’s our goal to become the best law firm in the country and having Denise on board to help grow and develop our team in Glasgow will be a big part of this.”
“It’s a high threshold to join the Gilson Gray team as we always believe in hiring the very best of breed, which Denise most certainly is.”
Bucking industry trends of cutbacks and mergers with its fresh and dynamic approach, Gilson Gray has tripled in scale since its launch in May 2014.
The firm picked up two awards at the 2017 Law Awards of Scotland adding to a host of other accolades, including six awards at the ACQ5 legal awards – the third year in a row that Gilson Gray has seen success – including Law Firm of the Year, Managing Partner of the Year and Insolvency Lawyer of the Year, all for the second time in three years.
