Edinburgh Business Lessons: Emily Allan, head of family law at Allan McDougall Solicitors

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Emily Allan, head of family law, at award-winning law firm, Allan McDougall Solicitors, has over 20 years’ experience of dealing with family-related matters.

As part of her work, she runs a free family-law clinic, by phone, on Wednesdays from 10am-noon, covering issues such as separation and divorce; civil-partnership dissolution; cohabitation; pre-and-post nuptial agreements; parental rights and responsibilities; adoption; and guardianship.

The clinic was originally launched during the pandemic, to ensure people still had access to legal advice. 

Here, Emily shares with us some of the lessons she’s learned, as a member of Edinburgh’s thriving business and legal communities. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from doing business in Edinburgh?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is how important reputation and relationships are in

Edinburgh. Trust, expertise and personal recommendations carry real weight here.

In family law especially, clients are often coming to us at a difficult point in their lives, so taking the time to build trust and provide clear, practical advice is essential. Word travels quickly in Edinburgh, and a strong reputation is built over many years of consistently supporting clients well.

What makes Edinburgh a special or different place to do business and why?

Edinburgh feels like a much smaller city than it is. You regularly bump into the same people, which helps build strong working relationships. That density of contacts and expertise, in a city small enough that you can get around it very easily, is hard to find elsewhere. At the same time, you have access to the opportunities, talent and expertise you would expect from an international capital.

What would you like to see more of or improved in Edinburgh?

Continued investment in infrastructure and transport across Edinburgh and Midlothian would make the most practical difference for us. Better connectivity just makes working life easier. As a profession, we also benefit when people can access legal advice easily. 

How has the city helped the firm grow?

Edinburgh gives us access to a broad range of clients, with many different backgrounds and circumstances, from people born and bred here to those who have relocated to the city from elsewhere in Scotland and abroad. It also provides us with a strong network of professional contacts and referral partners, which has been invaluable in helping us develop our family-law team.

What challenges are unique to doing business in Edinburgh?

While not unique to Edinburgh, one challenge is the competition for talented people. Edinburgh has a thriving legal and professional-services sector, which is fantastic for the city, but it also means firms are competing for the same pool of experienced solicitors and support staff.

A particular challenge faced by solicitors can be navigating through the volume of tourists and Fringe performers on the Royal Mile and surrounding areas to get to and from court during the summer months!  I do rather enjoy soaking up the Festival atmosphere on my walk back to the office, though.

Has Edinburgh’s international reputation benefited the firm?

Edinburgh is recognised around the world as a centre for education, finance,

professional services and culture. That reputation gives confidence to clients relocating to Scotland, those with international connections and families dealing with cross-border legal matters. It reinforces the perception that they can access high-quality specialist advice here.

What do Edinburgh clients want – and how do you deliver it to them?

Clients want expert legal advice delivered in a practical, approachable and compassionate way.

In family law, people are often dealing with some of the most significant and emotional events in their lives, whether that’s separation, divorce or arrangements for children. They want a solicitor who listens, communicates clearly and helps them understand their options.

We focus on getting to know each client’s circumstances and providing tailored advice that helps them move forward with confidence. We often receive positive feedback, and a large proportion of referrals come to us from former clients.

There is something very rewarding about knowing that someone felt so supported during a tough period in their life that they’d send their friends or family members to you for help too.

What strengths do Edinburgh businesses have?

If I had to pick one, it would be the willingness of Edinburgh’s professional-services firms to collaborate with each other rather than just compete. Referrals tend to flow in more than one direction, which isn’t always true in bigger cities. There’s a recognition that good relationships benefit everyone in the long run.

www.allanmcdougall.co.uk