Employment Law for Employees

Graeme founded The McKinstry Company in 1984, after successfully negotiating an earn-out from his previous partnership. He has overseen the development and consolidation of the practice from a predominantly litigation based service, to a thriving High Street firm across several legal sectors. His primary role now is Chairman, undertaking strategic review and development, while holding the Partners to account.

Outside of McKinstry, Graeme has a Practice Management Consultancy where he focuses on management issues in small to medium sized legal firms. His business acumen and experience in the commercial world was recognised in 2015, when he was appointed President of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In his spare time, Graeme can regularly be seen looking for his ball in the gorse of rough at Royal Troon or Turnberry Golf Course.

Frances joined Team TMC as a Partner in 2017, and heads up the Property and Business Law team. Having trained at a large Glasgow firm, Frances has worked in commercial property since 2000. She is highly experienced in a wide range of commercial property work, including investment acquisitions and disposals, leasing and secured lending. She acts for a broad range of clients, including landlords, tenants, developers and industry.

Frances enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and is an avid reader.

Robert is Head of our Litigation Department, where he oversees all contentious cases. His remit includes employment, contract disputes, commercial court work and all aspects of personal injury litigation. With extensive experience of handling cases in the Employment Tribunal, Sheriff Court and Court of Session, Robert was recognised by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the Law Society of Scotland in 2010, as a Specialist in Personal Injury Litigation.

Having joined the firm in 1997, Robert is well respected among clients and peers, and is widely regarded as an organised, proactive and diligent litigator, who will go the extra mile to get the best results for his clients.

Robert is a keen golfer (although not reflected in his handicap) and enjoys running. He also supports a number of charitable and community projects, and is Past President of Largs Cronies Burns Club.

Based in our Girvan office, Debbie is a Partner who is highly experienced in Private Client work, particularly in the agricultural and farming sectors. She used to enjoy travelling the world, but now married to a farmer, she spends her weekends in wellies, feeding cattle or on the back of a quad bike. Debbie is also a member of the Agricultural Law Association.

Having lived in Rome for a number of years, Debbie also studied Law at the Université d’Auvergne in Clermont-Ferrand – as a result, she is fluent in both Italian and French. She can also speak a bit of Spanish, thanks to travelling around various Central and South American countries, including walking the Inca trail. She has managed to convince her husband that the cattle in Argentina will be worth a look at some time soon!

A keen runner, Debbie has competed in 10Ks and half marathons, even completing the Rome Marathon. This now comes in handy during lambing time chasing after ewes.