Balfour+Manson has continued its policy of developing fresh talent by promoting two young Solicitors to Associate level. 
Michaela Guthrie and Ross Forrest joined the firm as trainees in 2014 and have been promoted just two years after qualifying as Solicitors. Both will work in the firm’s strong litigation department, with Michaela joining Ann Logan’s team specialising in medical negligence and personal injury and Ross working with Iain Nicol, an expert in civil litigation. Executive Chairman Elaine Motion has also taken newly-qualified Solicitor Lauren Smith into her own team, one of the most highly-rated in Scotland for civil liberties and human rights cases.  Mrs Motion said: “Balfour+Manson continues to be fully committed to developing talented young people, irrespective of age. The promotion of Michaela and Ross shows this commitment very clearly, following on from the appointment of Jamie Foulis as Partner at the age of just 29 last year.  “We want to show a clear career path for all young people coming into the firm.” Balfour+Manson, which recently released strong financial results, has also strengthened its Private Client team by recruiting experienced private client solicitor Graeme Thomson from Boyd Legal as a Senior Associate.  The firm’s results showed turnover was up 2 per cent to £9 million, with profits stable at just under £3 million. Mrs Motion said the figure showed the firm’s stability, solid management; growth and strength across all departments. She said of Mr Thompson’s appointment: “While seeking to grow our own talent, we will always bring in external expertise where needed. We are delighted Graeme has joined our private client team to help provide the ongoing high-quality personal service that  Balfour+Manson is famous for. Our focus is and will continue to be to grow the business in strength, depth and quality.” Balfour+Manson is one of Scotland’s oldest independent law firms, founded in 1888, with 134 staff and 21 partners. Its headquarters are in Frederick Street, Edinburgh, while it continues to grow its range of services in its office in Carden Place, Aberdeen.