Full-service Scottish law firm Ledingham Chalmers has continued its growth drive with the appointment of employment law specialist, Terence Merck, as a partner in its Edinburgh office, alongside 18 senior promotions across the business.
The appointment of Mr Merck marks a further strengthening of the firm’s employment law offering and reinforces its strategic focus on developing its Edinburgh presence as part of a fully integrated, pan-Scotland business.
Before joining Ledingham Chalmers, he built a strong reputation in employment law at the Scottish Bar. He succeeded in various high-profile cases in the employment tribunals, representing respondents and claimants in complex, often sensitive disputes, including discrimination claims involving the public sector. He has continued to provide trusted advice and specialist representation to employers from numerous FTSE companies to local businesses. He was recognised in the 2025 Law Awards.
Mr Merck joins the firm’s established employment law team comprising Sine Mackay, Dani Donald and Kate Matheson. His arrival strengthens the firm’s ability to deliver a consistent employment law service across the UK. The firm introduced its legal director role in 2025 to support career progression and recognise senior lawyers with strong technical expertise, leadership capability and responsibility for client delivery.
This latest round of promotions includes four new legal directors:
- Melanie Ballantyne – Commercial Property, Aberdeen
- Mhari Michie – Commercial Property, Aberdeen
- Laura Marwick – Private Client, Inverness
- Marie Cartney – Institutional Litigation, Edinburgh
In addition to the legal director appointments, a further 14 lawyers have been promoted across Commercial Property, Private Client, Institutional Litigation, Rural, Corporate and Residential Property teams, bringing the total number of promotions to 18.
Victoria Leslie, Joint Managing Partner at Ledingham Chalmers, said, “Over the past year, we have continued to make strong progress against our strategic priorities, with sustained investment in our people and leadership playing a central role in that success. The appointment of Terence further strengthens our employment law capability and supports our ongoing development in Edinburgh as part of a truly integrated offering.
Alongside the wider promotions across the firm, this demonstrates our continued focus on building depth of expertise and leadership across all offices as we move forward with momentum into the next phase of our growth strategy. I’d like to congratulate all those promoted, these are thoroughly deserved and highlight the depth of talent we’re continuing to build across the firm.”
Terence Merck, Partner at Ledingham Chalmers, said, “I’m excited to be joining a fantastic team just as we gather clear momentum all across Scotland. As we strengthen our employment law offer in both advisory and advocacy capabilities, we hope to introduce to a wide range of clients our exceptional employment law advice and representation, with real clarity and forward thinking that is required to meet the challenges ahead.”
Headline image: Kate Matheson, Terence Merck, Sine Mackay and Dani Donald