cl@n childlaw Edinburgh and the Lothians

cl@n is a company limited by guarantee and is directed by an independent board of directors. cl@n has appointed Alison Reid as Chief Executive to direct and control the day to day running of the charity. Alison has formed a solicitor’s firm (cl@n childlaw) and is the firm’s Principal Solicitor. The firm provides legal services exclusively to cl@n.

Alison Reid was enrolled as a solicitor in 1996. She worked in civil litigation in private practice for four years before being employed as a Reporter to the Children’s Hearings, latterly as Youth Justice Reporter in Edinburgh. She was then employed for 1 year as Principal Solicitor at the Scottish Child Law Centre where she provided specialised legal advice and training on all aspects of child law. She is a safeguarder and on panels of legal representatives in the Children's Hearings System.

Fiona Jones, Advocate is also employed by cl@n, as a non-practising advocate, on a part-time basis. She qualified as a solicitor in 1985. Thereafter, she practised as an advocate at the Scots Bar for 6 years and remains a member of the Faculty of Advocates. More recently, Fiona has worked as a special needs auxiliary in a pre-school nursery and been a volunteer adviser with the Citizens Advice Bureau. She then spent three years working at the Scottish Child Law Centre, providing specialised legal advice on all aspects of child law, preparing publications, policy initiatives and delivering training. She is a safeguarder in the Children's Hearings System.

Our Patron is Sheriff Gail Patrick.

Members of our Board are:

Neil Collar has been a solicitor for 16 years. He is a partner of Brodies LLP and heads their planning law team. He has extensive experience of law firm management, having been Brodies' Head of Litigation for 5 years. He has also been involved in running a variety of voluntary groups, including a lacrosse team and a wind band.

Sue Grant is a solicitor in private practice with Digby Brown, solicitors. She is an accredited specialist in both Personal Injury Law and Clinical Negligence but has had a special interest and involvement in adoption of children for over 20 years. She has been on the panel of curators in the Sheriff Court since 1985 and is legal adviser to Scottish Adoption Association. She is also a member of the BAAF Scottish Legal Group.

Tom Harvie-Clark (Chair) is a civil servant with the Scottish Government who currently advises on the Water Industry. He qualified as an accountant with KPMG and then worked as an economist for several years before taking on his current role. He previously was the managing trustee of a small grant making trust.

Mary-Claire Kelly (Company Secretary) has a long standing interest in social welfare law. She previously worked as a solicitor for the homelessness charity Shelter for six years. She is currently a solicitor at the Civil Legal Assistance office based in Edinburgh which aims to address unmet legal need in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Jennifer Keyden qualified as a solicitor in 2007. She specialises in commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution and currently works for a large commercial law firm in Edinburgh.

Jenny Preston is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. She has 10 years of Human Resource experience in the hospitality and media industries. She is also a board member of Hull Truck Theatre Company.

Fiona Sturrock is a registered non-practising Pharmacist, and is primarily a housewife and mother to 3 young adults! She has always retained an interest in children and their needs and interests, and so over the years has volunteered in the Guide Movement, the Church of Scotland, has chaired the Parents' Association Committee at school and sits on the Children’s Panel for Edinburgh.