Jon Kiddie

Principal Solicitor

A court lawyer for a dozen years, Jon has conducted litigation, both civil and criminal, at all levels of the Scottish judicial system, including cases in sixteen of Scotland’s fifty Sheriff Courts, the High Court of Justiciary and the Court of Session. He has also conducted numerous cases in the Employment Tribunal and Social Security Tribunal. With appointments including solicitor at Govan Law Centre, Head of Court Department at LSA, he joined Renfrewshire Law Centre as Principal in early 2007. Jon has had numerous case successes published in law reports and is also Secretary of the Scottish Association of Law Centres.

Aidan West

Solicitor

Erstwhile professional concert pianist, Aidan modestly possesses an impressive portfolio of academic qualifications in music and musical theory. However, concerned that there was ‘just not enough paperwork’ in his life, he took the decision to embark on a legal career that has enjoyed abundant successes. Student advisor at Strathclyde Law School, then trainee solicitor at Renfrewshire Law Centre, he completed his training in May 2009 and now specialises in employment rights and anti-discrimination law.

Robin Gray

Solicitor

A solicitor since the 1970's, with wide ranging experience in litigation and chamber work, Robin has a long standing association with Renfrewshire Law Centre as bookkeeper. More recently he took up an appointment here as part-time legal executive, and in October 2009 was appointed as solicitor again. Possessing both the LLB legal qualification as well as the SOLAS legal accountancy accreditation, he brings a plethora of knowledge and insight to bear in helping some of those in society most in need of legal advice.

Iain McLean

Solicitor / Consultant

For about 20 years, Iain has specialised in child law, working in both the public and private sectors. Currently, he undertakes appointments by Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire Councils and local courts to act as guardian in Children's Hearings and related proceedings. Indeed, to the best of our knowledge he has received more such appointments than any other solicitor in Scotland, having represented the interests of over 3,000 individual children. In 2002, he was the first Children's Legal Representative to be appointed in Scotland. Before joining Renfrewshire Law Centre in November 2008, Iain acted as partner in two law firms and was instrumental in establishing and managing North Glasgow Advice Centre, Scotland’s first collaboration between a Law Centre (LSA) and the Citizens Advice Bureau. North Glasgow Advice Centre is still going strong, thanks to his legacy. In his spare time, Iain also sings in an R&B band with a number of other lawyer-musicians.

Claire Gillies

Trainee Solicitor

A graduate of both Paisley University and Strathclyde Law School, Claire joined Renfrewshire Law Centre in early 2007 as a law student volunteer. Working to pay her way through university, she formally joined the Law Centre staff on a permanent basis as a paralegal in mid-2008, and in May 2009 she embarked on her traineeship here. Claire is especially interested in family law and women's and children’s rights. During her traineeship she has participated in secondment to private practice for additional training in conveyancing and executries, and she has also completed the child safeguarder training course.

Lynsey MacGregor

Legal Clerical Officer

Lynsey, or ‘Lynz’, has worked in legal clerical roles for nine years with a number of law firms. Having previously provided temporary clerical support for Renfrewshire Law Centre, she joined as a permanent member of full-time staff in 2007. Her professional approach and friendly attitude are key to the Law Centre’s continuing success. Herself a resident of Renfrewshire, she has an immediate rapport with the ‘Buddies’, and in her spare time enjoys teaching her pet parrot, Floyd, some of their colourful local dialect.

Gemma Mullen

Legal Clerical Officer

The longest serving member of full-time staff, Gemma has worked at Renfrewshire Law Centre for eight years since the early days of ‘Paisley Law Centre’, under previous Principal Solicitor, Marcus Parham, and his Associate, Irene Henery. She has seen them come seen them go, but Gemma has remained a stalwart team player throughout. Currently moving towards completion of her Certified Paralegal Training Course, she continues to develop her legal knowledge and skills alongside her clerical role.

Ann Kelly

Legal Clerical Officer

Ann has an extensive track record in clerical roles in various industries, including building works and corporate clothing design. She came to Renfrewshire Law Centre in 2007 and has established herself as an invaluable member of the team. Her chief responsibilities include cashroom banking, database upkeep and archiving. Ann also enjoys spending time with her family, holidays abroad and sampling fine wines.

Joseph Bryce

Advocate / Volunteer Program Coordinator

Not a member of staff of Renfrewshire Law Centre, but a self-employed member of the Faculty of Advocates and a court lawyer with unlimited rights of audience in the Scottish courts and House of Lords, Joe has a thriving practice in civil litigation, asylum & immigration, and human rights. Moreover, with a history in the law centre movement and a passion for justice and legal education, he freely and magnanimously gives up part of his time to providing a mentoring role within the Law Centre’s Student Volunteer Program, which was the first such project in Scotland to be sanctioned by the Faculty of Advocates. Among many other accomplishments, Joe was Founder & Project Manager of LSA's Refugee Legal Project from 2001 to 2006, a member of the Law Society Immigration & Asylum Committee, and a partner at LSA Brown & Co until 2007. His array of legal interests is eclectic, profound and too multitudinous to list here. His social & cultural interests are equally diverse, including classical music, opera and Dr Who.

Pictured above, Joe is stood at the commemorative plaque that marks the location of the old Wellmeadow Café in Paisley, where the most famous case in Scots legal history (and perhaps even all common law legal history) had its origin: Donoghue v Stevenson.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Joe at joe.bryce@murraystable.com.

Mhairi Waugh

Volunteer Lawyer

Having completed a traineeship with top UK firm, Shepherd & Wedderburn, Mhairi came to Renfrewshire Law Centre in early 2010 as a fully qualified solicitor volunteer. During her training she undertook seats in property (residential and commercial), corporate finance, pensions and construction as well as participating in certain special projects. Part of her training was based in London. She has also worked for the Procurator Fiscal’s Office as well as for a French newspaper, Ouest France. While currently seeking employment in the legal profession, she is determined to put her experience and skills to good use by volunteering here, where she has a particular interest in our civil court work.

Briony Cullin

Volunteer Lawyer

Briony is an Australian qualified lawyer who recently moved to live in Glasgow. In Australia she worked mainly in the areas of commercial and residential property law and is now looking to expand her knowledge in different areas of law.  Having commenced as a volunteer at the Renfrewshire Law Centre in December 2009, she undertakes legal research and funding applications. Briony is also studying for the requalification process to allow her to practise as a Scottish lawyer. 

Paul Fairbridge

Voulnteer Lawyer (Past)

Having undertaken a traineeship with top UK firm, McGrigors LLP, Paul came to Renfrewshire Law Centre in mid-2009 as a fully qualified solicitor volunteer. While seeking gainful employment in the profession at large, he was determined not to let any spare time go to waste, so volunteered here, where he lent us his services in legal research, often particularly useful given his commercial background and perspective.

Paul moved on to pastures new in late 2009.

Of his time at RLC, he said, "I would like  to thank  all of your team for the incredible experience that I had during my time volunteering at RLC. I was made to feel part of the team and I felt that everyone made an effort to ensure that I got the best possible experience that I could. My time at RLC is one that I will remember fondly. Thank you again for the opportunity. It was integral to me obtaining the position that I did and for that I am also very grateful."

Carole Williams

Volunteer Lawyer

Semi-retired solicitor and erstwhile secondary school teacher of modern studies, Carole used to work at Renfrewshire Law Centre until 2007. Then, motivated by fond memories of the Law Centre and by a desire to lend her services to our important work, she returned as a volunteer in 2008. She currently assists the solicitors with their casework and legal research, particularly in the area of community care law.

Vicky McMillan

Law Student Volunteer

Forensics science graduate, Vicky is currently undertaking a graduate entry law degree at Strathclyde University as well as volunteering at Renfrewshire Law Centre on an ongoing, regular basis, where she assists the solicitors with their casework and legal research as well as keeping the law library up-to-date.

Eric Graham

Chairman

Eric has served as Chairman of Renfrewshire Law Centre Board of Directors since the year 2000 as a representative of Williamsburgh Housing Association, where he has also served as Chairman for five years and currently continues to serve as Secretary. A production engineering manager with Weirs Pumps, Eric faced redundancy in 1980 but has remained active. Engaging in numerous forms of employment since then, including a spell as a taxi driver, he is now retired but busy as ever. The various other hats he has worn include church elder and Battalion Secretary with the Boys Brigade. Eric also plays the piano.

Susan Sludden

Company Secretary

A retired registered nurse and theatre sister, Susan has a distinguished background in health care. Having served as a member of the Royal College of Nursing Health & Safety, she was instrumental in founding the Scottish Endoscopy Nurses, and made presentations to the World Congress on Gastroenterology in both America and Australia. As busy in retirement as she was in employment, Susan founded the Company Group Association of Friends in Retirement and has served on Renfrewshire Law Centre Board of Directors for most of the last decade. She currently represents St Mary’s Over 50’s on our Board. In her spare time she enjoys travelling to far flung destinations.

Bill Perrie

Treasurer

A retired police officer, Bill represents the Retired Police Officers' Association of Scotland on Renfrewshire Law Centre Board of Directors, where he has served as Treasurer for a number of years, providing invaluable support to the Principal Solicitor and cashroom accountant in reviewing the organisation’s accounts and grant reports, thus ensuring our long-term financial wellbeing. In 2007 Bill was returned to Renfrewshire Council as Councillor for Renfrew North, where he currently serves on a number of boards, including the Community and Family Care Policy Board, the Housing and Community Safety Policy Board, Renfrew and Gallowhill Local Area Committee, and Strathclyde Police Joint Board.

Josephine Coyle

Director

An Ordinary Director for many years, Josephine is also very active in the local community and regularly partipates in Renfrewshire Law Centre board meetings and other events.

Margaret Dymond

Director

An enthusiastic community activist, Margaret has served on Renfrewshire Law Centre’s Board of Directors for many years, as well as acting as a key player in Maxwellton Court Tenants’ Association and Paisley West & Central Community Council. Margaret also contributes to the work of the Law Centre’s Management Sub-Committees.

Elizabeth McIntosh

Director

Retired teacher and former Councilor, Elizabeth remains active in the community, particularly on elderly forums. She has served on Renfrewshire Law Centre’s Board of Directors for many years, and also contributes to the work of the Law Centre’s Management Sub-Committees.

Iain Wilson

Director

Iain has served on Renfrewshire Law Centre’s Board of Directors for many years. He is also active in numerous other local community organisations, including Linwood Community Council, Linwood Tenants’ association, Linwood Old Age Pensioners’ Association and Linstone Housing Association (of which he is presently the Chairperson). In fact, he has remained as busy in retirement as he was during his working life. In a career spanning over 50 years, Iain has been colliery blacksmith, engineer, industrial relations adviser, personnel officer and health and safety officer Speaking of his strong community spirit, Iain has commented, ‘My life in general is motivated by a concern over the continuing inequalities pervading even our modern society and hopeful that in some, even small, way we can help to alleviate some of these along with a firm belief that one should actively engage in, and not merely spectate on, ones community and society.’ Iain contributes to the work of the Law Centre’s Management Sub-Committees and also acts as our health and safety consultant.

Shirley McLean

Director (Appointment Confirmed, Registration TBC)

Shirley is a Civil Servant, currently working within the Housing and Regeneration Directorate of the Scottish Government. For many years Shirley has been involved in various local community groups in Glenburn and has been actively involved with Glenburn Tenants and Residents for more than 10 years where she is currently the Chair. Shirley has recently joined the Renfrewshire Licensing Forum. In the past Shirley was Captain of Third Paisley Girls Brigade and ran a successful Youth Club in Glenburn for six years. In her spare time Shirley enjoys spending time at her bolthole in sunny Girvan, Ayrshire.