SJ bolsters WJM’s Private Client offerings

GGI Scottish law firm Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP has announced the appointment of a new partner at its Edinburgh office.

Bringing a decade of expertise to Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM), Sarah-Jane (SJ) Macdonald is set to enhance the firm’s private client offerings with her extensive background specialising in trusts and contentious private client matters including her experience in using mediation as a means of resolving such disputes.

Active in industry leadership, SJ, from Edinburgh, serves on the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Scotland committee and represented the organisation at Parliament for discussions on the Trust and Succession Bill. SJ also serves as an external examiner for the STEP trust law exam to help quality assure the professionals of tomorrow.

Among her accolades, SJ was awarded the Core prize in 2021 for promoting mediation in Scotland, won a STEP Worldwide Excellence Award for trust law, and is currently shortlisted for the Private Client Rising Star of the Year Award by Legal 500.

SJ also recently authored "A Practical Guide to Legal Rights in Scotland," the pioneering textbook that consolidates the law on legal rights.

Speaking of her new appointment, Sarah-Jane said: “I’m excited to be able to share my know-how with the esteemed team at WJM to offer the highest quality Private Client services.”

Having graduated with a first-class honours degree in Economics & Mathematics at Heriot Watt University, she went on to complete an accelerated law degree and a diploma in legal practice, further graduating in 2012. Since then, SJ was profiled as one of Heriot Watt’s “Watt of the Week” alumni in 2022, highlighting her career to that date.

Fraser Gillies, Managing Partner at WJM, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sarah-Jane to WJM as our newest Partner. Sarah-Jane’s commitment to excellence and stellar reputation aligns seamlessly with our values at the firm and we’re certain she’ll be a great addition to the team.

“As one of only 11 accredited specialists in Trust Law in Scotland, we are privileged to be able to share such specialist insight with our clients across our five Scottish offices as we continue to deliver exceptional legal services to our clients.”