Harper Macleod LLP

Overview

Harper Macleod is one of Scotland’s leading full-service law firms with deep roots in Scottish commercial, rural and public-sector work. Founded from a Glasgow commercial practice in 1988, the firm has grown into a large professional partnership with multi‑office coverage across Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Elgin, Thurso and Lerwick) and an international desk network supporting cross-border work. The firm is distinguished by its strong rural and natural-capital practice, integrated ESG/HM Community programmes, extensive corporate and technology capability, and an emphasis on apprenticeship and trainee development through HM Academy and single‑seat traineeships.

Headquarters: Glasgow, The Ca’d’oro, 45 Gordon Street
Founded: 1988
Offices: 6

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

Agriculture & Rural
Banking & Finance
Commercial Contracts
Construction & Engineering
Corporate & M&A
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Employment
Energy & Natural Resources
Environment & Planning
ESG & Sustainability
Charities & Not-for-Profit
Financial Services & Regulation
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Housing & Social Housing
Immigration
Infrastructure & Projects
Insolvency & Restructuring
Insurance & Reinsurance
Intellectual Property
Public Law
Real Estate
Regulatory & Compliance
Media & Entertainment
Private Client & Wealth
Private Equity & Venture Capital
Professional Negligence
Technology & Digital
Transport & Logistics
Tax
Sports Law

Geographic Focus: The firm’s primary market is Scotland with offices across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Elgin, Thurso and Lerwick and particular strength in the Highlands, Islands & Moray. It supports cross-border and international work via dedicated international desks (Australasia, Benelux/Netherlands, China, France, Germany, India and New Zealand) and collaborates with overseas law firms for Scots-law input on cross‑jurisdictional deals.

Training Contract

Harper Macleod offers a two-year traineeship with an emphasis on specialist single-seat (fixed-seat) traineeships where trainees spend the full two years in a single practice area. Training is coordinated through HM Academy which provides a co‑ordinated programme of legal, commercial and personal development. The firm emphasises early responsibility — trainees attend client meetings, undertake substantive case work and are integrated into teams from day one. The single‑seat model is presented as an alternative to the traditional multi‑seat rotation in order to accelerate depth of experience.

Application Deadline: 27 February 2026

Seat Options

Corporate & M&A
Commercial & Regulatory
Commercial Contracts
Commercial Real Estate
Banking & Finance
Intellectual Property
Technology & Digital
Employment
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Agriculture & Rural
Private Client & Wealth
Family Law
Real Estate
Charities & Not-for-Profit
Residential property & conveyancing
Personal Tax
Insolvency & Restructuring
Public Law

Mentorship

Training and development are delivered through HM Academy with trainees supported by partners and experienced fee-earners in their teams. Trainees describe approachable teams and on-the-job mentoring; the firm highlights internal learning resources, buddying and practical programmes such as PEAT 2 to broaden commercial and practical skills.

Programmes & Schemes

Modern Apprentices

Harper Macleod runs an established Modern Apprenticeship programme across all offices and has supported the programme for more than ten years. Modern Apprentices form a core part of the workforce pipeline; the firm reports that 14% of its workforce came through the Modern Apprenticeship programme, it has supported more than 100 colleagues through the programme and 39% of apprentices have progressed to other roles within the business.

Three-day Virtual Work Experience (Schools Programme)

A three-day virtual work experience programme for S5 and S6 school pupils run three times a year (February, June and November). The programme exposes pupils to life in a law firm through interactive tasks (debates, negotiations, Will writing) and sessions with qualified lawyers and trainees; it is designed to help school pupils consider legal careers and improve CVs/personal statements.

Duration: 3 days

Apply →

Notable Matters

Epidarex Capital — investment in Sirakoss Limited (£3.1m)

Advised life-sciences venture investor Epidarex Capital on a £3.1 million investment in University of Aberdeen spin-out Sirakoss, providing legal diligence and handling the full investment documentation and process for the fund and syndicate.

Private Equity & Venture Capital

R3‑IoT — £3.1m investment (seed funding)

Advised Glasgow-headquartered space technology start-up R3‑IoT on securing a £3.1 million seed investment led by US VC Space Capital with participation from the Scottish National Investment Bank and others, supporting the client on the investment documentation and international investor engagement.

Technology & Digital

ZoneFox (Inquisitive Systems Ltd) — £450k funding round

Advised Inquisitive Systems Ltd (trading as ZoneFox) on a £450,000 funding round from Archangel, TRI Cap and the Scottish Investment Bank, including negotiation of investment documentation and liaison with investors' advisers.

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Forestry & Land Scotland — voluntary land registration project

Longstanding relationship acting as sole supplier of property legal services to Forestry & Land Scotland since 2008; completed a large voluntary registration project submitting FLS ownership titles for registration and continuing to act on forestry-related transactions and disposals.

Real Estate

Langholm Initiative — Tarras Valley community buyout (community right to buy)

Acted for the Langholm Initiative on the significant community buyout of the Tarras Valley (over 2,000 hectares), advising on acquisition structure, funding and creation of a nature-reserve centric plan — a major example of the firm’s community ownership and land reform work.

Agriculture & Rural

Reactec — patent litigation in the Court of Session

Acted for Reactec in contentious patent litigation in the Scottish Court of Session, representing the client in high-value IP disputes and demonstrating the firm’s strengths in patent litigation and IP dispute resolution.

Intellectual Property

Sale of Scottish whisky company to Chinese investors

Advised on the sale of a Scottish whisky company to Chinese investors, supporting cross-border transaction elements, regulatory and commercial documentation and international purchaser due diligence.

Corporate & M&A

What Harper Macleod LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

Commercial awareness
Teamwork and collaboration
Strong communication skills
Client focus and professionalism
Resilience and adaptability
Initiative and drive
Attention to detail
Interest in the firm’s key sectors (rural economy, energy/natural capital, technology, public sector)

Evidence Signals

Relevant commercial work experience or internships
Experience with rural or community projects for agriculture/land teams
Pro bono or voluntary work demonstrating commitment to community
Participation in Modern Apprenticeship or similar vocational programmes
Sector-specific evidence (e.g., tech/start-up experience, IP work, renewables, or public sector project involvement)
Demonstrable commercial examples in interviews (deals, case involvement, team outcomes)
Language skills or international experience for international desk roles

Benefits & Wellbeing

Real Living Wage employer (minimum hourly wage £12)
Pension scheme
Critical illness protection
Life assurance
Discounted conveyancing on sales and purchases
Discounted eyecare
Charity donation through payroll
Cycle to work scheme
Buy additional leave option
Extra holidays at Christmas
CSR days
Funding for external training
Recruitment finder’s fee
Additional colleague discounts
4pm birthday finish
Flexible, part-time and reduced hours options
Investors in People Gold / Investors in Young People Platinum accredited benefits

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is driven by an internal Wellbeing Group which promotes mental and physical health initiatives, colleague engagement and an active/mindful programme. The firm emphasises colleague wellbeing, provides channels for voice and runs wellbeing-focused activities.

Awards & Recognition

Chambers UK Awards - Scottish Firm of the Year 2025
The Legal 500 Scotland Awards - ESG Firm of the Year 2024
The Legal 500 - Inclusion in the Green Guide (Scottish-headquartered firm; inclusion year noted 2024)
Investors in People - Gold accreditation (2026)
Investors in Young People - Platinum accreditation (2026)
Promoting Diversity – Large Employer of the Year (Scottish Apprenticeship Awards 2021)
Highland Employer Charter - Gold accreditation (2026)
SME Employer of the Year (QA Scottish Apprenticeship Awards) — multiple years
Named among Scotland's Law Firm of the Year on multiple occasions (firm states nine-time winner)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Disability Confident Employer; accredited Scottish Living Wage Employer; Investors in People (Gold); Investors in Young People (Platinum); Social Mobility Pledge Supporter; Working Families Employer; Highland Employer Charter Gold; Fair Work First supporter; Young Person’s Guarantee signatory.

HM Community (Environmental, Social & Governance programme)
Wellbeing Group
Sustainability Group
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion group
Modern Apprenticeship programme
Young Person’s Guarantee commitment
Promoting Diversity initiatives (apprenticeships)
Fair Work First commitment

Pro Bono

Harper Macleod engages in community initiatives and provides a range of pro bono legal services to community groups and charities. The firm supports community ownership projects and regularly advises community bodies on governance, acquisition and funding matters.

Innovation

The firm invests in innovation across practice and operations: Greener Actions seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of dispute resolution; HM Academy coordinates training and digital upskilling; the technology and IP teams advise on AI, data and complex IT projects and have an established R&D practice. Trainees are exposed to commercial technology work (AI, fintech, medtech), and internal programmes such as PEAT 2 provide practical experience alongside experienced practitioners.

Greener Actions (ESG project to reduce environmental impact of dispute resolution)
HM Academy (training and development hub)
HM Global Connections Committee
PEAT 2 programme (practical training for trainees)
R&D and AI advisory work (over 10 years of advising on AI & data-driven systems)

Quick Application Angles

Emphasise interest in Harper Macleod’s single-seat traineeship model and HM Academy — explain why a focused two‑year seat (e.g. Corporate, IP or Rural) fits your long-term plan.
Reference a firm-specific matter or sector (e.g. the firm’s work for Forestry & Land Scotland, the Langholm community buyout, or the Epidarex/Sirakoss investment) to show sector fit and commercial awareness.
Demonstrate commitment to ESG and community impact — cite HM Community, Greener Actions or the firm’s Living Wage and apprenticeship credentials to align with firm values.
If applying to rural/land teams, highlight practical rural experience or interest (crofting, farming, land management or community ownership) — the firm prioritises sector knowledge in those teams.