Our Team
Meet Stuart & Co.
Alan Stuart
DIRECTORAlan Stuart is a projects lawyer based in Edinburgh with over 30 years’ of experience in assisting clients to achieve their goals.
After qualifying Alan worked in two of Scotland's largest legal practices, he then spent 17 years in a large and well respected Scottish law firm based in both Edinburgh and Glasgow and was a partner in the Commercial department for 12 years.
Alan specialises in projects and development work and deals with non-contentious construction law, property and IT as well as commercial contracts.
Alan acts and has acted for major retailers, telecommunications clients, further education organisations, life sciences companies and space sciences organisations.
Alan is a member of the Society for Computers and Law; is a Member of the International Institute of Space Law; is a member of the International Bar Association Space Committee; is accredited as a Legal Technologist by the Law Society of Scotland and is a Writer to His Majesty's Signet.
Alan is a consultant and adviser to other law firms.
COMPANY SECRETARYAimée Stuart is a solicitor at Stuart & Co. Aimée graduated LLB (Hons) in 2016 from The University of Aberdeen, she completed the Diploma in Legal Practice with Distinction from The University of Aberdeen. Aimée has been with Stuart & Co. since 2017. Aimée’s principal areas of interest are in commercial property law, technology law, intellectual property law and space law.
Aimée has experience in dealing with many aspects of commercial land acquisitions and disposals and commercial leasing.
Aimée has experience preparing commercial contracts for clients in the space sector, the scientific sector including clinical research organisations and the IT industry. Aimée assists clients with personal data compliance including providing legal advice in relation current data protection laws, preparing and updating clients’ data protection compliance policies and documents and providing advice to clients in relation to data protection and website and software terms and conditions.
Aimée is a member of the Society for Computers and Law and is a Writer to His Majesty's Signet.
Aimée is a Scottish Notary Public and is able to provide notarial services including administering oaths, receiving affidavits and affirmations and performing notarial executions and certifications.
Aimée Stuart
CONSULTANTBabs Neilan trained and qualified as a corporate/financial services regulatory solicitor with large UK firm Maclay Murray & Spens (now Dentons). Following three years there, Babs moved to investment management firm Martin Currie where she worked in a split legal and compliance role, dealing with the legalities of a regulated entity, as well as regulatory compliance. After several years in this role, Babs left to re-join the world of private practice deciding to set up her own consultancy.
Babs specialises in business law and brand protection, which includes corporate work, commercial contracts, data protection advice, trademarks and copyright advice. Babs is qualified in England, Ireland, Scotland, New York and California.
Babs works with Lynne Riddell and provides consultancy services to Stuart & Co. including providing Stuart & Co.’s clients with corporate and commercial legal advice.
Babs Neilan
CONSULTANTElaine Leitch has over 20 years’ experience in the field of employment law and human resources practice. A qualified lawyer, she was previously a Partner in an Edinburgh Practice before deciding to branch out on her own, creating her own consultancy.
Elaine brings a wealth of experience with her and routinely advises on/provides support with TUPE transactional work as well as HR audits and drafting of contracts of employment/Directors Service Agreements.
Elaine has worked as a consultant for Stuart & Co. since 2014, providing employment law and HR advice to Stuart & Co.’s client base. Elaine is also an experienced employment tribunal lawyer, having represented many businesses at tribunals both in Scotland and England.
Elaine Leitch
CONSULTANTLynne Riddell qualified as a solicitor in Scotland and has over 15 years post-qualification experience working with large corporate law firms in Edinburgh. Lynne’s principal areas of experience lie in commercial property, real estate finance, corporate legal work and providing general contract advice.
Lynne works with Babs Neilan and provides consultancy services to Stuart & Co. including providing Stuart & Co.’s clients with legal advice on company and corporate matters, investment matters, and other commercial legal matters.
Lynne Riddell
CONSULTANTClaudia Duffy is a former scientist (BSc Chemistry and BSc, MSc and PhD in Physics), turned Patent Attorney and IP Entrepreneur. Claudia has 10 years’ experience as a Research Scientist (in Munich and Cambridge) and over 14 years’ experience as a Patent Attorney both in-house and in private practice roles.
Claudia has experience as an IP and legal tech entrepreneur providing both traditional and digital patent and trademark attorney services and IP consultancy services. She regularly works with entrepreneurial communities, investors and accelerators.
Claudia is a Member of the Economy & Enterprise Committee of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a committee focusing on means of enhancing the Scottish economy through consideration of issues such as skills, fair work, business development, enterprise and innovation. In 2022 Claudia became an Ambassador for Women Enterprise Scotland a research-led, not-for-profit Community Interest Company which champions women-led and women-owned businesses.
Claudia provides consultancy services to Stuart & Co. including providing Stuart & Co.’s clients with Patent and Trademark Attorney services and advice, including intellectual property due diligence, advising on enforcement of IP Rights and providing input into IP disputes and litigation.