Meet the team

Stephen Bradford

Having completed his Law degree at Strathclyde University, Stephen spent 10 years working in top tier corporate firms advising on a range of company and commercial transactions. In 2002, with the urge to return back home to Ayrshire, Stephen decided to bring his specialisms to Lockharts/Law which resulted in him being assumed a Partner in 2004. He prides himself in having acted for multi nationals in corporate and property acquisitions and now acts for a number of the firm's most important property and business clients. His broad practice extends across household-name hotels and leisure operators, commercial investors and developers, as well as funders. He has a superb reputation for completing complex deals quickly and efficiently and is also a popular referral choice for the Scottish end of cross-border commercial contracts.

Stephen's extensive expertise also includes diversification projects and alternative land uses such as telecoms, wind farms and security work acting on behalf of Banks and Landowners. As part and parcel of advising farming and local businesses, Stephen also provides comprehensive succession planning advice for clients with complex personal and family situations ensuring that family assets are protected and passed to their chosen beneficiaries.

Email: StephenBradford@lockhartslaw.com

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Margo McGill

Margo McGill is head of Lockharts/Law Agriculture and Estates team and is Ayrshire's only lawyer to be accredited as a specialist in Agricultural Law by the Law Society of Scotland. After growing up on her family farm in Maybole, Margo decided to ditch her wellies in favour of a city career practising law. Having spent 7 years honing her skills in top tier city firms, Margo returned back to Ayrshire to start a family life with her husband who is a local farmer and joined Lockharts/Law in 2011 as a Partner.

Having more than 15 years experience in rural and estate business Margo specialises in agricultural law and rural property including all aspects of land and estate purchases and sales as well as agricultural landlord and tenant issues. Her extensive expertise also includes advising family businesses and partnerships where she has helped many through the trials of restructuring their business; she also advises on and security work acting on behalf of Banks and Landowners. As part and parcel of advising farming and local businesses, Margo also provides comprehensive succession planning advice for clients with complex personal and family situations ensuring that family assets are protected and passed to their chosen beneficiaries.

Her professional memberships include, The National Farmers' Union of Scotland and The Agricultural Law Association. She is also a member of the Ayr Faculty of Solicitors Deans Council and enjoys this role very much.

Email: MargoMcgill@lockhartslaw.com

 Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a Specialist in Agricultural Law

Peter Lockhart

Peter became the 4th generation to join his family firm in 1979, becoming a Partner in 1980, and has remained with the firm ever since. He is highly regarded amongst his peers having practised at the very highest level for a number of years.

Since 1990, he has been practising exclusively in the Criminal Courts in Scotland, dealing with a variety of cases of a complex and novel nature. Throughout his career, Peter has been tasked with appearing in a number of significant and highly publicised criminal cases and his extensive experience sees him receive regular instructions for litigating in criminal matters of an intricate and novel nature.

Peter is a former Dean of Ayr Faculty of Solicitors and Council Member of The Law Society of Scotland. Currently he is a Member of The Law Society of Scotland Criminal Law Committee as well as The Scottish Legal Aid Board Quality Assurance Committee. His reputation precedes him and he is often asked for media contributions where Scots Criminal Law is subject to a significant development. His media presence also extends to radio where he presents the topical and popular Sunday Talk-in on Irvine Beat FM.

Email: info@peterlockhart.com

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Lynsey Rowney

Lynsey Rowney joined Lockharts/Law in 2014, becoming a Partner in 2016 and heads up Lockharts/Law Private Client department. Like Margo, Lynsey grew up on a family farm in Ayrshire however having spent 9 years developing her skills in top tier city firms, Lynsey decided to return to Ayrshire to allow her to have a proper work life balance whilst allowing her to bring her specialist knowledge to a more local audience.

Lynsey is an experienced dual-qualified private client lawyer advising individuals, businesses, trusts and charities on a wide range of matters. She is a specialist in private and charitable trust matters, wills, estate and succession planning, inheritance tax mitigation, and executry administration. A member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Lynsey regularly assists clients in the setting up and administration of trusts, including personal injury trusts, charities and SCIOs.

Coming from a family business background Lynsey also has a particular interest in family businesses and helps families in business to work together to create a successful succession plan. In 2012, she completed her certificate in professional competence in road haulage and now advises businesses in the transport sector with regard to compliance issues.

Credentials:-

• Qualified as a solicitor in both Scotland and England and Wales
• Notary Public
• Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
• Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management
• Holder of Certificate of professional competence in road haulage

Email: LynseyRowney@lockhartslaw.com

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