ABOUT Blackwood & Smith

Morris Anderson is our Senior Partner with over 30 years experience in private client work and is a member of the Council of the Law Society in Scotland. Morris has a particular interest in litigation and employment law. He is also experienced in Licensing Board work and the purchase, sale and lease of shops, hotels and other family-run businesses.

Patricia Watson is the Partner primarily responsible for property sales and purchases, and general legal advice in family management issues. She has a great depth of knowledge regarding property in Peebles, Scottish Borders and also in Edinburgh.

Sally Swinney is the Partner specialising in Family Law.  She can offer advice in respect of divorce, separation, civil partnership and cohabitation.  She is a Collaborative lawyer being one of only two solicitors in the Borders offering this type of dispute resolution in family matters.  She is a past Dean of the Solicitors in the Shires of Peebles and Selkirk and is currently Vice Chair of the Family Law Association of Scotland.  Sally also undertakes general litigation work and conveyancing.

Fiona Fleming is the Partner with special responsibility for the Executry and Trust Department. She has provided advice on preparation of Wills and tax planning - particularly Inheritance Tax and related family management issues - for over 20 years. She has a further interest in charity law and has a broad experience of residential purchases and sales.

Lawri Shanks is our Assistant solicitor, he has been with us since 2007 having undertaken his legal traineeship. He qualified in 2009 and mainly undertakes residential conveyancing, general litigation and family law.  He assists our Senior Partner in the purchase, sale and lease of commercial premises and businesses.

Karen Valentine is a Scottish Law Accountant and a member of the Society of Law Accountants in Scotland. She has 20 years experience with our firm and deals with various aspects of tax. She undertakes private client work for both individuals and Attornies.