New head of litigation joins Esson & Aberdein

An experienced head of litigation has been recruited by a fast-growing Aberdeen law firm as it eyes up continued business growth.

Gillian McCluskey, previously of MacRoberts, will be tasked with establishing Esson & Aberdein as a leading light in litigation and dispute resolution.  

Having made the switch from public to private sector in 2004, Gillian has acquired more than 20 years of experience across a breadth of litigation issues, achieving accredited status in debt and asset recovery with the Law Society of Scotland.

Gillian said: “The opportunity to build my own team within such a supportive and progressive environment was too good an opportunity to miss.

“We’ll be fully embracing technology, including apps and dedicated platforms, to give our clients the access and level of service that they should expect from lawyers in this digital age.”

Rob Aberdein, Co-Founder of Esson & Aberdein and Chief Executing and founder of the professional services firm, Moray Group, said: “Gillian is a brilliant operator, but what is crucial for us is her character.

“She’s a thoroughly modern lawyer, on board with our technology-driven service. In addition she has a diverse portfolio, having worked in both the public and private sectors and with large and small operations. She’s also a team player with the right level of supervisory and mentoring experience for our continued growth.”

Outside of work, Gillian is passionate about supporting Scotland’s young people in opening their horizons and fulfilling their potential. She dedicates significant time to the Scottish Charity ‘Young Enterprise Scotland’, where she also sits on the board of directors.

Gillian added: “I feel strongly that all children and young adults should have awareness of the opportunities ahead of them. Young Enterprise Scotland works to inspire and equip young people, irrespective of their background, to learn, develop and reach their full potential through enterprise and financial education.

“Too often there are barriers for our young people, and in particular professions like law, can appear be a closed shop.”

Rob Aberdein launched Moray Group in 2020, as a tech-focused professional services umbrella group. Its aim is to launch or acquire legal or other professional services practices with scope for growth.

Moray Group has a financial target of achieving a turnover of £10m by the end of 2022. On the legal side its focus will be on, estate agency, conveyancing, debt recovery, dispute resolution and litigation, wills and executries, powers of attorney, family law and accessible corporate law for SMEs.

Others firms in the group include upmarket legal and estate agency specialist Simpson & Marwick in Edinburgh. Earlier this year it also launched Esson & Aberdein in the North-East.

While its main focus currently is on conveyancing, estate agency, wills, executries and family law, Esson & Aberdein is aiming for growth across commercial property and a full range of legal, property and financial services.

With offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and North Berwick, Moray Group intends further rapid expansion, driven by acquisitions of well-established legal firms with untapped potential. It will also bolt on services including financial services and property letting.