One of Scotland's top young solicitors and business guns is to join the governing body of the University of Dundee, the University Court as a lay member.
Alison Newton, a partner in the real estate unit of law firm McGrigor Donald, a member of KLegal International, the network of law firms associated with KLegal, will be co-opted to the Court from today 1 August.
A law graduate of the University, Alison was brought up in Dundee and now works in Glasgow. In 2001 she was listed as one of the "Top 40 under 40" solicitors in the regions by Lawyer magazine and as one of the "Young Guns of Scottish Business" by Scottish Business Insider.
"I am delighted that the University of Dundee want me back and look forward to working with court convenor Larry Rolland, Principal Sir Alan Langlands and the rest of the Court delivering the University of Dundee's ambitious vision for students, staff and the wider society over the coming years. I'm not quite the prodigal daughter but I was surprised and pleased to be asked back.
"I trust my experience over the years both working with my clients on a commercial basis and through the changes that our own profession, and particularly my own firm, are going through will prove to be valuable for the University."
Alison has specialised in development work and one-off and large-scale projects. This includes acting for Deka in the modernisation of the St Enoch Centre, Glasgow; working for various clients including BT in the re-organisation of their property interests and advising public bodies operating through private companies such as Lomond Shores and Glasgow Cultural Enterprises.