Sophie Brown
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
sbrown@homack.co.uk
About Sophie
Sophie joined our Property Team in Glasgow as a legal assistant in January 2025, before commencing her Traineeship in June 2025.
Sophie graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2022 and completed her Diploma in Professional Legal Practice there in 2023.
Sophie is currently continuing her work in our Buying and Selling Your Home team, assisting with residential conveyancing matters including sales, purchases and transfers of title
Qualifications
Law (LLB Hons), University of Glasgow (2022)
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow (2023)
Areas of Practice
Ellie MacDonald
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
emacdonald@homack.co.uk
About Ellie
Ellie first joined Holmes Mackillop in 2023 and worked as an administrative assistant during her Summer and Winter breaks from University, before beginning her traineeship in our Glasgow Office in June 2025. Ellie graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 2024 with a First-Class Honours degree before completing the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in which she graduated with Distinction.
Ellie is currently working in our Wills, Estates and Future Planning team, where she is gaining valuable experience on the administration of Estates as well as on the preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney and Executry & Trust Matters.
During her traineeship, Ellie will have the opportunity to work alongside our Property, Dispute Resolution and Litigation and Corporate departments.
Qualifications
Law (LLB Hons), University of Aberdeen (2024)
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Aberdeen (2025)
Areas of Practice
Sarah Makin
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
smakin@homack.co.uk
About Sarah
Sarah joined Holmes Mackillop in June 2025 as a trainee solicitor based in our Glasgow office. She is currently working within the Dispute Resolution and Litigation department, supporting on a wide range of matters, including employment law, family law, and commercial and debt recovery court actions.
Sarah graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 2024 with a degree in Law with English Law, and went on to complete a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice there, achieving a Distinction.
Qualifications
Law with English Law (LLB Hons), University of Aberdeen (2024)
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Aberdeen (2025)
Areas of Practice
Anisah Hafiz
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Glasgow
+44(0)141 226 4942
ahafiz@homack.co.uk
About Anisah
Before joining our Glasgow office as a Trainee Solicitor in 2025, Anisah graduated from the University of Aberdeen with First-Class Honours in the LLB Law with English Law and International Exchange degree. She also worked as a Law Tutor before undertaking her Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow.
Anisah is currently part of our Corporate team, where she supports a range of corporate transactional matters. During her traineeship, she will also gain experience across our Property, Wills, Estates and Future Planning, and Dispute Resolution and Litigation departments.
Qualifications-
• LLB Law (Hons), University of Aberdeen (2023)
• Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow (2025)
Areas of Practice
Christina Bain
Paralegal
Paralegal
Glasgow
+44(0)141 226 4942
cbain@homack.co.uk
About Christina
Christina qualified as a Residential Conveyancing Paralegal in January of 2024. Prior to this, Christina spent one year working within the estate agency department of an Ayrshire firm thereafter, spending three further years at this firm as a Residential conveyancing assistant before joining Holmes Mackillop in March 2025.
Christina can assist will all residential conveyancing matters including but not limited to sales, purchases, and transfer of titles.
Christina has experience working with clients on the Isle of Arran, in Ayrshire, and in Glasgow.
Outside of work, Christina enjoys travelling, oil painting and spending time with family.
Areas of Practice
Ross Brown
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2309
rbrown@homack.co.uk
About Ross
Ross heads our Private Client team. He qualified as a solicitor in 2009 and, having specialised in this area of the law for over ten years at another firm, joined Holmes Mackillop as a Director in May 2022. He is known as a pragmatic advisor with an empathetic approach who is able to put his clients at ease during even the most difficult of times.
Ross helps individuals with legal issues which affect them and their families personally and helps them put appropriate mechanisms in place to achieve their goals and protect their interests. Ross's bread and butter is advising and assisting individuals with setting up Wills and Powers of Attorney - this is the most common reason people come to see him. However, it is rare that this is all he talks with clients about.
Usually, questions about Inheritance Tax (IHT), the protection of vulnerable beneficiaries, asset protection or care cost planning come up and Ross offers detailed and expert advice on what steps may be appropriate.
IHT and business succession planning are areas of particular specialism which Ross can advise on.
Ross is a full member of the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners (STEP).
Qualifications
LLB (2006)
STEP
Notary Public
Areas of Practice
Grant Cairnduff
Solicitor
Solicitor
Milngavie
+44(0)141 956 5454
gcairnduff@homack.co.uk
About Grant
Grant joined Holmes Mackillop in May 2025 after having qualified with a conveyancing firm in 2024. Grant is based in our Milngavie office and deals with a wide range of areas in which he has extensive experience including residential and commercial conveyancing, Wills, Powers of Attorney and other matters.
Qualifications:
BA (Hons) Politics with Criminology, Glasgow Caledonian University, 2018
LLB Scots Law, University of Glasgow 2020
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow 2021
Notary Public
Paul Campbell
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
pcampbell@homack.co.uk
About Paul
Paul joined Holmes Mackillop as a student in 2023, and is now undertaking his Traineeship at our Glasgow office. Whilst completing his studies, Paul regularly assisted our Private Client and Property Teams gaining valuable experience on the administration of Estates, and on aspects of residential conveyancing. Paul graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2023 and went on to complete the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice there in 2024.
Paul is currently working in our Property Team, assisting with aspects of residential and commercial conveyancing.
Qualifications
- LLB Law (Hons), University of Glasgow 2023
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow 2024
Elaine Clark
Legal Executive
Legal Executive
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2306
eclark@homack.co.uk
About Elaine
Elaine is a paralegal within Holmes Mackillop’s Private Client team in our Glasgow office. Elaine joined Holmes Mackillop in May 2022 and has many years of experience having worked in the private client field since 1990. She qualified as a SOLAS Trust Accountant in 1992, moving on to qualify as a paralegal in 1998.
Elaine specialises in the administration of Trusts, Executries, Guardianships and Powers of Attorney and her main goal is to take the burden in dealing with such matters from her clients and provide them with a friendly, effective and efficient service.
Areas of Practice
Karen Condie
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
⁺44 (0)141 226 2322
kcondie@homack.co.uk
About Karen
Karen is the Director leading our Dispute Resolution & Litigation, Employment and Family & Divorce teams. A graduate of Glasgow University, Karen qualified as a solicitor in 1988 working in both the private and public sectors before joining Holmes Mackillop in 1999.
With many years’ experience in contentious matters, her pragmatic and empathetic approach is appreciated by our clients. Karen is focused from the outset on achieving the best result for our clients.
Karen’s employment practice serves both employers and employees, advising on compliance and providing representation at tribunal.
Qualifications
LLB Hons University of Glasgow
Diploma in Legal Practice University of Glasgow
Notary Public
Practice Areas
Dispute Resolution and Litigation
Employment
Family and Divorce
Shona Currie
Tax Assistant
Tax Assistant
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2308
scurrie@homack.co.uk
About Shona
Shona joined Holmes Mackillop’s Private Client Team in June 2022 and brings with her years of tax experience within both the legal and accountancy sectors. Her focus is personal tax (which includes the preparation and submission of tax returns for individuals), capital gains tax, and dealing with tax matters for Trusts and Executries.
Shona commenced her taxation career in 1983 within the accountancy profession, where she gained her knowledge relating to taxation matters. She then transferred to the Legal Sector in 1995, and qualified as a Private Client Paralegal in 1997.
Shona is approachable and friendly, and her clients appreciate her dedication to helping them sort their tax affairs efficiently and timeously.
Areas of Practice
Rona Dempsey
Paralegal
Paralegal
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
rdempsey@homack.co.uk
About Rona
Rona joined Holmes Mackillop in 2013 and is a key member of our property team.
Since graduating in 2005 Rona has experience working as both a Commercial and Residential Property Paralegal in busy commercial legal firms and handles both house purchases and sales.
Qualifications
HND Legal Services Glasgow Central College of Commerce
Residential Conveyancing Paralegal Certificate
Commercial Property Paralegal Certificate
Areas of Practice
Emma Donaldson
Senior Associate
Senior Associate
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2307
edonaldson@homack.co.uk
About Emma
Emma qualified as a solicitor in 2007, and has focused since then on working for individuals and families in Private Client matters. She assists clients by assessing their own particular family circumstances and advising on how a will can be tailored to their needs, including advice on Inheritance Tax. She advises on Powers of Attorney, the duties of Attorneys and on Guardianship administration.
Emma also has extensive experience in estate administration and provides support to the executors and beneficiaries throughout the process.
Emma is a full member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). She is also a tutor on the Private Client course on the Diploma for Professional Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow.
Qualifications
MA (Hons) Ancient History – University of Edinburgh
LLB – University of Strathclyde
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice – Glasgow Graduate School of Law
STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates (Scotland)
Areas of Practice
Craig Donnelly
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2315
cdonnelly@homack.co.uk
About Craig
Craig has a wealth of experience in commercial and consumer litigation for a broad spectrum of clients and businesses. He provides practical pre- and post-litigation advice to clients, always adopting a commercial approach. Craig routinely appears in sheriff courts across Scotland as well as the Scottish Tribunals to conduct proofs (civil trials), debates and other contentious hearings. He has a particular interest in commercial disputes and insolvency litigation and works closely with insolvency practitioners and sheriff officers to maximise recovery for clients.
Qualifications
Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Glasgow
Notary Public
Chartered Management Institute Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management & Leadership
Areas of Practice
Karen Fletcher
Paralegal
Paralegal
Johnstone
⁺44 (0)1505 328271
kf@homack.co.uk
About Karen
Karen joined Holmes Mackillop in 2020 and is based in our Johnstone office. She has 12 years’ experience working in the legal industry and before becoming a Conveyancing Paralegal, she worked as a Title Searcher making her a great addition to our residential conveyancing team.
She is experienced in all aspects of the sale and purchase of residential property.
Qualifications
HND Legal Services – Glasgow Central College of Commerce 2009
Areas of Practice
Sean Fraser
Associate
Associate
Glasgow
+44(0)141 226 4942
sfraser@homack.co.uk
About Sean
Sean joined Holmes Mackillop in October 2024 as an Associate in the firm’s Glasgow office. Sean qualified as a solicitor in 2021 and is experienced in both residential and commercial property, and will be working as part of the firm’s commercial property team alongside our Directors, Kevin Thompson and Amir Ismail. Sean has a particular interest in corporate-support property transactions, as well as investment sales and acquisitions.
Qualifications-
• LLB Law (Hons), University of Strathclyde 2017
• Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow 2018
• Notary Public
Areas of Practice
Ken Hay
Senior Associate
Associate Solicitor
Giffnock
⁺44 (0)141 638 7405
khay@homack.co.uk
About Ken
Ken is a solicitor in our Giffnock office. His practice covers all aspects of Private Client work including Wills, the formation and management of Trusts and particularly the administration of executry estates. He advises clients on succession and Capital Tax planning with particular emphasis on rural property and investments. Ken also deals with incapacity issues including Powers of Attorney.
Ken holds degrees in Land Economy and Law and has completed the STEP Diploma in International Trust Management.
Amir Ismail
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2302
aismail@homack.co.uk
About Amir
After graduating Amir completed a 2 year specialised traineeship in Commercial Property. He then continued to focus in this area upon qualifying as a solicitor before joining Holmes Mackillop in 2015.
Amir is experienced in all aspects of the sale and purchase of commercial property, including site acquisition, development, plot sales, investment properties, offices, shops and industrial units.
He also undertakes a large volume of commercial leasing work, representing the interests of various landlords and tenants, with a view to securing a commercially viable agreement for his clients in each case.
Amir tutors in both Residential and Commercial Conveyancing for the Diploma in Legal Practice course at the University of Glasgow. He is also actively involved in the delivery of ongoing professional training for solicitors, which has included delivering a webinar on behalf of the Law Society of Scotland on Lease Management Documentation.
Amir was appointed as a Director on 1st April 2021.
Qualifications
LLB (Hons), University of Strathclyde (2005)
Dip LP, Glasgow Graduate School of Law (2006)
Areas of Practice
Carole Johnston
Director
Director
Johnstone
⁺44 (0)150 532 8271
cmj@homack.co.uk
About Carole
She became a Partner in 1997 and has been a Director since the firm incorporated. Carole heads up our Johnstone office and has a broad experience in many areas.
Carole can advise on all aspects of residential conveyancing and property related matters. She regularly advises clients on Wills and Powers of Attorney and gives clear, practical and friendly advice on all of the issues which can arise. Formerly a litigator, she is mediation trained and can advise on the issues arising from family breakdowns.
Qualifications
LLB Hons University of Strathclyde
Diploma in Legal Practice University of Strathclyde Notary Public
Areas of Practice
Wills, Estates and Future Planning
Buying and Selling Your Home
Mark Joseph
Solicitor
Solicitor
Johnstone
+44(0)1505 328271
mjoseph@homack.co.uk
About Mark
Mark joined Holmes Mackillop in October 2024 after qualifying as a Solicitor. Mark graduated his Law and Management degree before going on to study his Law degree and Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.
Mark is based in our Johnstone office and works within our Wills, Estates and Future Planning team, with a particular focus on the preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney and Executory and Trust Matters.
Qualifications
HND Legal Services, North East Scotland College (2016)
Law and Management (BA), Robert Gordon University (2018)
Law (LLB Hons), Robert Gordon University (2021)
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, Robert Gordon University (2022)
Notary Public