The additions strengthen Anderson Strathern’s rural, corporate, and commercial teams and bring experience working for agricultural and renewable sectors, as well as family-run businesses.

Ellen Eunson joins the firm as an experienced legal director specialising in rural law, covering a broad remit. This includes property sales and purchases, bank security work, succession planning, partnerships, agricultural leases, crofting, and renewables.

Ms Eunson previously split her time between her old firm’s Aberdeen office and her home in Kirkwall, but now looks forward to establishing a stronger presence for Anderson Strathern in Orkney. She already has an excellent network across Orkney’s farming and business communities and is the only accredited specialist in agricultural law for the Northern Isles.

She said: “I was drawn to the role as it gives me the opportunity to work with a large firm while maintaining my specialisation in rural work. It also gives me the chance to be a full-time part of the professional and business community here in Orkney.”

Jennifer Sim joins Anderson Strathern as an associate, specialising in corporate and commercial law. Based in the firm’s Lerwick office, Ms Sim acts for SMEs, venture capital/private equity funds, investors, and family-run businesses in various sectors. She regularly advises on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, re-organisations, investments, as well as corporate governance.

Ms also has international translation experience, previously working as an interpreter for a commercial law firm in Munich.

A Shetland native, she chose the firm as it allows her to combine her professional aspirations with the ability to raise her young family in the place she grew up.

Ms Sim said: “I live in Tingwall with my husband and little boy, and we have built a house here, which is something I wouldn’t have been able to do in Edinburgh, where I was previously based.

“From a business perspective, Shetland is a very dynamic place to be – businesses are thriving, and large-scale projects are generating excitement on a national level. It’s good to know that my work may have a positive impact on the local economy.”

The addition of a new associate in Shetland as well as a director in Orkney means the firm is well-placed to offer and increased range or services right across the Northern Isles. The Northern Isles team is headed up by Orkney-based partner Sheila Tulloch who joined Anderson Strathern in September 2023, bringing extensive experience from across the public and commercial sectors.

Ms Tulloch said: “I’m from the islands and have a strong network of connections here. Ellen and Jennifer’s experience bolsters our offering for a wide range of clients keen to do business face to face.”

Anderson Strathern chair Fraser Geddes said: “The firm is pursuing growth by expansion, but we choose our appointments strategically, matching up the expertise we have across our teams with areas where we see strong potential demand.

“For us, Orkney and Shetland offer exciting opportunities for wide ranging legal services.”