Ambitious new legal player adds two key hires to its team

Esson reunites with former colleagues and promises to rekindle the magic

THE BOSS of an exciting new legal firm has reunited with two former colleagues in a move which promises to make them an immediate force in Aberdeen’s property market.

Just weeks after launching her new firm, Esson & Aberdein, Joni Esson has recruited paralegal Shari O’Hare and Lynn Nesbitt, a qualified surveyor and estate agency specialist.

The trio previously worked together at Stronach’s, where they built up that firm’s property credentials – and say they’ll be able to achieve even more with Esson & Aberdein.

Delighted Joni said: “To have assembled such a strong team at launch is brilliant and we’ll immediately see the benefits of the existing working relationships. We know each other incredibly well, so we’ll be delivering the best teamwork for clients from the moment we open for business.

“Starting any new job or venture is exciting. To be launching Esson & Aberdein with Shari and Lynn by my side is better than anything I could have hoped for.

“We achieved so much when we previously worked together. This time I believe we can do even more, because we are starting with a blank canvas and can optimise everything exactly as we want.”

Lynn, age 47 and from Aberdeen said: “We’re all very focused and work well together, so it was a very easy decision to join Joni. I believe we have the right team of people, and with Joni at the helm weare in a position to offer something new and exciting to the people of Aberdeen and the north-east.”

Shari, who has lived in the city since the age of four, added: “When Joni left, I really missed working alongside her, so when she offered me the role, I jumped at it.

“I’m ecstatic to be working alongside them again and I’m loving it so far. I can’t wait to see where this goes, everyone is ambitious and eager to make this a success.”

Lynn has a degree in Geography and Masters’ Degree in Land Economy, both from the University of Aberdeen. She began her career as a Chartered Surveyor with Bell Ingram where she worked for 16 years, before spending more than eight years as an estate agent at Stronachs.

Shari, 34, began her career at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service at the age of 19, before taking time out to have her two sons. She also worked at McIntosh McTaggart and Aberdeen Asset Management before joining Stronachs in the conveyancing department, where she gained her paralegal qualification and started working with Joni and Lynn.

Joni, a former pupil of Mintlaw Academy who studied law at Dundee University, said both Shari and Lynn perfectly embody Esson & Aberdein’s ethos to bring an unrelenting focus on client service.

She added: “I’ve worked with Lynn for eight years and hugely value her experience – her surveying background really helps sets us apart from our competitors. She’s also a great people person and a brilliant advocate for the Esson & Aberdein brand.

“Shari joined me at Stronachs initially as my secretary, but we immediately saw her potential and encouraged her through her paralegal training. She’s a great asset to the team and loves working with clients but also works very well on her own initiative.”

Esson & Aberdein is part of the Moray Group stable of firms, headed by lawyer Rob Aberdein, which is focused on using the latest technology to improve the experience of clients across property, law and finance.

Since being launched in September, Moray Group has acquired Simpson & Marwick, which is now its pre-eminent legal brand which it is rolling out across Scotland. It also acquired volume conveyancing and debt recovery specialist, Alston Law in Glasgow.

With a turnover in excess of £5m and 70 staff, further growth through acquisition is planned with the group eyeing property letting, accountancy and financial services, as well as other law firms.