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
Senior Solicitor
Senior 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 & Executry 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
Areas of Practice
Carol Laird
Paralegal
Paralegal
Milngavie
claird@homack.co.uk
About Carol
Carol joined Holmes MacKillop in 2021 following the merger with Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson and is based in our Milngavie Office.
Carol assists Richard Leggett with all aspects of property transactions, Wills and Powers of Attorney.
Alison Kinnaird
Paralegal
Paralegal
Milngavie
akinnaird@homack.co.uk
About Alison
Alison joined Holmes MacKillop in 2021 following the merger with Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson and is based in our Milngavie Office.
Alison assists Richard Leggett with all aspects of property transactions, Wills and Powers of Attorney.
Richard Leggett
Director
Director
Milngavie
⁺44 (0)141 956 5454
rleggett@homack.co.uk
About Richard
Richard heads our office in Milngavie. He qualified as a Solicitor in 1982. He became a Partner of the former firm of Campbell Riddell & Co on 1st October 1984 with that firm later merging with Breeze Paterson & Chapman to become Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson. He has joined Holmes MacKillop as a Director with effect from 1st October 2021 following the merger with Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson.
Richard is a co-ordinating Tutor at the University of Strathclyde in respect of domestic and commercial conveyancing.
Qualifications
LLB, University of Strathclyde
Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde
Notary Public
Rachel Loose
Senior Solicitor
Senior Solicitor
Glasgow
rloose@homack.co.uk
About Rachel
Rachel joined Holmes Mackillop in June 2022 and is based in our Glasgow Office. Rachel graduated from Strathclyde University in 2021 with a First Class Honours degree before going on to complete the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice there.
Rachel qualified into our corporate team in 2024, with a particular focus on corporate transactional work.
Qualifications
LLB Law (Hons), University of Strathclyde 2021
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde 2022
Areas of Practice
Michelle Luby
Paralegal
Paralegal
Johnstone
ml@homack.co.uk
About Michelle
Michelle joined Holmes Mackillop in 2019 and is based in our Johnstone Office. Her expertise includes Immigration, Criminal, Family, and Private Client. However, in recent years she has begun to focus more on Conveyancing.
She has over 15 years’ experience working in the legal industry making her well equipped to handle a variety of legal matters within the property team.
Qualifications
Residential Conveyancing Paralegal Certificate
Specialist Paralegal Qualification
Areas of Practice
Katherine MacPherson
Associate
Associate
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2304
kmacpherson@homack.co.uk
About Katherine
Katherine qualified as a solicitor in 2022 and has experience with Private Client and Residential Conveyancing. Katherine has extensive experience of advising on Wills, Powers of Attorney and Executries along with residential conveyancing.
Qualifications
Law (LLB Hons), University of Aberdeen (2019)
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow (2020)
STEP Advanced Certificate in Taxation of Trusts and Estates
STEP Advanced Certificate in Wills and Executries: Law and Practice (Scotland)
Notary Public
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
Murray McKelvie
Senior Solicitor
Senior Solicitor
Glasgow
+44(0)141 226 4942
mmckelvie@homack.co.uk
About Murray
Murray joined Holmes Mackillop in July 2025 and is based in our Glasgow office. Following his qualification as a solicitor in July 2023, Murray has gained extensive experience advising on the preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorney together with assisting clients in the difficult process following bereavement.
Qualifications
Law (LLB Hons) Scots and English Law, University of Strathclyde (2019)
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde (2020)
Notary Public
Areas of Practice
Hannah McKay
Senior Solicitor
Senior Solicitor
Johnstone
⁺44(0)1505 328271
hmckay@homack.co.uk
About Hannah
Hannah joined Holmes Mackillop in April 2025 after qualifying as a solicitor and is based in our Johnstone branch. Hannah graduated from the University of Dundee with a dual qualification in Scots and English Law and went on to complete the Diploma in Legal Practice at Strathclyde University.
Hannah works within our Buying and Selling Your Home team and has experience across all aspects of residential property transactions, providing clients with clear and practical advice throughout the process.
Qualifications
Law (LLB Hons), University of Dundee
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde
Areas of Practice
Carol Ann McKellar
Practice Manager
Practice Manager
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 2340
cmckellar@homack.co.uk
About Carol Ann
Carol Ann is our Practice Manager and is SOLAS qualified.
Carol Ann joined Holmes Mackillop in 2000 with over 15 years’ previous experience in Legal Practice Management. Carol Ann qualified as a Scots Law Accountant in 1992 and works as part of our Private Client Team in all aspects of Trust and Executry administration as well ensuring compliance with the many rules and regulations that govern all Legal Practices.
Carol Ann is a former lecturer for the Society of Law Accountants in Scotland.
Qualifications
Scots Law Accountant (1992)
Law Society of Scotland Accredited Paralegal in Wills & Executries
Areas of Practice
Pauline McNamara
Paralegal
Paralegal
Ayr
01292 264 091
ptmcnamara@homack.co.uk
About Pauline
Pauline is a Private Client paralegal based in our Ayr office, She has years of experience in Estates administration and the preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorneys.
Qualifications
BA (Hons) Religious Studies (Stirling University)
Private Client Paralegal Qualification (Strathclyde University)
Areas of Practice
Peter McNamara
Director
Director
Ayr
01292 264 091
07940 546925
pdmcnamara@homack.co.uk
About Peter
Peter heads our office in Ayr. He enrolled as a solicitor in 2005, having previously qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser with a global accountancy firm, and has since accumulated a wealth of experience working primarily in Commercial and Rural Property and Wills, Estates and Future Planning. He advises both private and business clients on a wide variety of matters, including commercial, residential and agricultural property conveyancing, housing developments, leases, commercial contracts, estate planning, executries, renewable energy projects and securities.
Peter joined us on 1st April 2025 following our acquisition of the private client and property business of the longstanding and highly-regarded Ayr firm of D & J Dunlop.
Qualifications
Full Member, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
Chartered Tax Adviser, Chartered Institute of Taxation
Taxation Technician, Association of Tax Technicians
LLB, University of Strathclyde
Diploma in Legal Practice, Glasgow Business School
Notary Public
Areas of Practice
Paula Phinn
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Giffnock
⁺44 (0)141 638 7405
pphinn@homack.co.uk
About Paula
Paula joined Holmes Mackillop in October 2021 following the merger with Campbell Riddell Breeze Paterson and is based in our Giffnock office. Whilst studying for her degree, Paula regularly assisted the Wills, Estates and Future Planning team in our Giffnock office. Paula graduated from Strathclyde University in 2023 with a First Class Honours degree before going on to complete the Diploma in Legal Practice there.
Paula is currently working in our Wills, Estates and Future Planning and Buying and Selling Your Home teams.
Qualifications
- LLB Law (Hons), University of Strathclyde 2023
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Strathclyde 2024
Liam Reilly
Trainee Solicitor
Trainee Solicitor
Glasgow
⁺44 (0)141 226 4942
lreilly@homack.co.uk
About Liam
Liam joined Holmes Mackillop in September 2023 as an admin assistant during his final year of study, before beginning his traineeship in June 2024. Liam graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2023 with a First-Class Honours degree and remained there while completing the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, in which he attained a distinction.
Liam is currently a part of our corporate team, where he assists with corporate transactional work. He will also have the opportunity to work alongside both our property and litigation departments, throughout his traineeship
Qualifications
- LLB Law (Hons), University of Glasgow 2023
- Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, University of Glasgow 2024
Ralph Riddiough
Director
Director
Glasgow
⁺44(0)141 226 4942
⁺44(0)141 226 2303
⁺44(0)798 098 6718
rriddiough@homack.co.uk
About Ralph
Ralph qualified as a solicitor in 1999. He specialises in corporate transactional work. His clients operate in a typical cross section of Scotland’s economy, and he has particular expertise in renewable energy developments, charity / community projects and the legal issues surrounding information governance.
He was Head of Legal and Democratic Services at South Ayrshire Council from 2014 to 2018, which means he brings considerable insights to matters that have a public sector context.
Qualifications
LLB (Hons), DipLP, The University of Edinburgh
Notary Public
Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
Areas of Practice
Pamela Runciman
Senior Associate
Senior Associate
Johnstone
⁺44(0)1 505 328271
pr@homack.co.uk
About Pamela
Pamela joined Holmes Mackillop in 1997 as a trainee Solicitor. She gained experience in all aspects of conveyancing, estate administration and private client law as an Assistant, then Associate, becoming a Partner in 2004.
After retiring from practice in 2010 to focus on life with a young family, Pamela has now returned to work as a Senior Associate in our Johnstone office dealing with all aspects of winding up estates.
Qualifications
LLB Hons University of Glasgow
Diploma in Legal Practice