Our Team

John Maxwell

Managing Director

Raised in Ross-shire, John attended Garve and Dingwall primary schools as well as Dingwall Academy. He studied law at Dundee University for five years, completing his degree in Law with French as well as the Diploma in Legal Practice.

John began working at the firm as a summer student in 2004 and returned to the Highlands to begin his traineeship here in 2007. He became a partner at the firm in 2012 and took over ownership of the business in November 2019.

John deals in the preparation of Wills and the administration of Executry Estates. He also deals with Powers of Attorney and Guardianships, on top of running the business alongside the Business Manager.

A keen Ross County fan, John wrote a weekly fan’s view column in the Press & Journal for seven years and has provided football commentary for many other multimedia outlets. He is a trustee of the Puffin Hydrotherapy Pool and a member of the Dingwall Rotary Club. Otherwise, John spends his spare time in the gym and attending exercise classes.

Bio

Stephanie Murray

Business Manager

Steph was born in Inverness and raised in Sutherland, attending Dornoch Academy. She moved to Glasgow in 2008 to begin a career with TSB Bank.

Steph moved back to Ross-shire in 2012 to get married and start a family whilst continuing her career with the bank as an account manager, before joining Middleton Ross in 2021.

Steph loves spending time with her family and friends, especially her two young children Imogen and Max. She is a keen cook and enjoys walking with her Labradoodle.

Bio

Ian R Hanvidge

Senior Associate

Ian, who is originally from Glasgow, joined the firm from a large city practice in 1998. A graduate of Glasgow and Dundee Universities, he was admitted as a solicitor in 1984. He deals with all forms of property transactions, leasing and securities with particular experience in commercial property deals.

Bio

Sheena Macleod

Senior Associate

Sheena was born and grew up in Inverness but emigrated to Australia.  She graduated LL.B. from Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.  She has worked in both private practice and public sector.  She was admitted to practice as a Barrister in the Supreme Courts of Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, as well as being on the roll as a solicitor in England and Wales (non practising) and as a solicitor in Scotland. 

She joined the firm in 2006 after two years in the Procurator Fiscal service. Sheena’s areas of practice are Property Law, Conveyancing, Wills, Powers of Attorney and Guardianships. 

Outside work Sheena leads a busy family life and enjoys spending time with her daughter’s two cats (who currently live with Sheena) and her great dane/irish wolfhound cross.  She also enjoys ballet and other forms of live theatre.  She hopes to rekindle her enjoyment of travelling on motor cycles on her husband’s recent purchase of a BMW. 

 

 

Bio

Erika Macarthur

Assistant Solicitor

Erika grew up in North Yorkshire and then studied BA Businesss Studies (hons) at UCE in Birmingham graduating in 2000.  After graduating she spent a year travelling around Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico.  She met her husband in Australia who is from Dingwall and later moved to Aberdeen and then the Highlands.  She worked for Global Energy from 2012 until 2020 in finance and then in Training and Development.  In 2016 As the future for oil became uncertain she decided to retrain and pursue a career in Law.  Whilst working part-time she completed an LLB in Law studying part-time through Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen and graduated in 2020.  She went on to complete the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice full time also through Robert Gordon University, graduating in 2021.  Erika began her traineeship with Middleton Ross in November 2021.

 

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children and dog.  She also enjoys gardening, yoga, and badminton

 

Bio

Kristofer Ashton

Trainee Solicitor

Kristofer joined us as a Trainee Solicitor in November 2023 after starting his training with another firm. Kristofer is from Dundee but moved to the Highlands in June 2022. He attended Dundee University, where he completed his Dual Qualifying LLB degree in both Scots and English law before completing his Diploma in Professional Legal Practice.

In his spare time, Kristofer enjoys walking, watching any sport and taking care of his animals.

Bio

Angus Ferguson

Legal Executive

Angus was born and raised in Australia. He completed his degree in Law (with Honours) at Macquarie University in Sydney, graduating in 2014. After working as a paralegal throughout his studies and completing his Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, he practiced for several years as a solicitor at both a boutique and a leading law firm in Sydney. Angus recently studied a Master of Laws (Applied Law) at the College of Law, graduating in November 2023 with distinction in his dissertation.

Angus began his role as a Legal Executive with Middleton Ross in November 2023.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time trail running, watching the local rugby or football, and researching his Scottish ancestry.

Bio

Lisa Simpson

Property Manager

Lisa was born in Perth and raised in London where she attended Primary and Secondary school, later moving to Strathpeffer when she finished her schooling at Dingwall Academy. On leaving school she moved to Edinburgh where she completed her Diploma in Art, Design and Photography.

Lisa has followed a varied career path throughout the UK from Graphic Designer to Pub Manager and Truck Driver, she then ran her own business designing and manufacturing public art installations and carved signs. Lisa joined Middleton Ross in 2010 as Property Manager.

As well as ensuring the smooth running of our Property Department, Lisa guides our clients through every step of their property sale, from getting their premises ready for the market to negotiating the best price on their behalf.

Lisa is still a keen artist and photographer and can regularly be spotted out walking the hills and pathways with camera in hand and her two dogs wandering beside her. She also has a keen interest in music and politics.

Bio

Jill Mcfarlane

Property Assistant / Receptionist

Jill is originally from Fife and moved to the Highlands in 1997. Jill joined Middleton Ross in March 2022 as our receptionist and has gone on to also become our part-time property assistant.

Jill enjoys walking and spending time with her family. 

Bio

Shirley Sargent

Cashroom Manager / Executry Paralegal

Shirley started at Middleton Ross in 2007 following various roles in finance and admin. She successfully completed the Society of Law Accountants in Scotland exams in 2011 and is a registered Law Accountant. In 2014 she qualified as a Specialist Paralegal in Wills, Trusts & Executries through the University of Strathclyde. Shirley has also gained her Level 2 qualification in British Sign Language.

A keen walker, Shirley spends her spare time with family and friends and her beloved dog Bailey, trekking all over the Highlands.

Bio

Magda Goracy

Legal Cashier

Magda joined Middleton Ross in January 2019.

Born, raised and educated in Poland, she studied logistics management at the University of Bialystok in Poland.

Magda came to Scotland in 2012 to begin her working career. Magda has been a housekeeper, quality controller, and logistic administrator, before joining us as a receptionist and Trainee Cashroom Assistant. Magda completed her SOLAS training with distinction in 2021.

In her free time, Magda loves spending time with friends and family, and visiting different parts of Scotland.  The Isle of Skye is her favourite place to visit every year.

Bio

Pamela Fleming

Legal Secretary

Pamela started with Middleton Ross in 2016 as a Legal Secretary and works in our Alness Office.

Pamela was born and brought up in South West Scotland and attended  Kirkcudbright Primary, Kirkcudbright Academy then  Dumfries College where she completed her HNC in Office Administration and Legal Secretarial Practice.  She has worked as a Secretary, HR Administrator and Office Manager in Dumfries.  Pamela then decided to have a change and moved to the Highlands in 2010. 

In her spare time, she loves to watch Formula 1, walk and read.

Bio

Flora Macrae

Legal Secretary

Flora was born in Dingwall and attended Dingwall Academy.  She started working with Middleton Ross in 2010 as a Legal Secretary.  She has previously worked in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and The Highland Council.

In her free time, she enjoys walking and travelling in Europe and enjoys spending time with her family.

 

Bio

Madeleine Morrice

Legal Secretary/ Trainee Paralegal

Madeleine was born in Illinois and grew up in Rhode Island in the United States. She has a bachelor’s degree in History and Medieval Studies from St Olaf College in Minnesota and a Master’s Degree in Medieval History from Durham University. She has had a varied career in the US and in Scotland with job titles including Leasing Consultant, Litigation Support Specialist, Senior Admissions Officer, most recently joining Middleton Ross as a Legal Secretary in August 2022. She has been married to Neale, a native of Bonar Bridge, for 5 years and recently welcomed her son Fraser in September 2021. When she isn’t chasing Fraser around, her hobbies include reading, cooking, and beachcombing.

Bio

Isla Macdonald

Legal Secretary

Isla grew up in the Black Isle attending Fortrose Academy. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature from Inverness UHI and has worked in customer service and administration roles before joining as a legal secretary in November 2023.

Isla loves travelling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Bio

Donna Macnamara

Receptionist

Donna joined Middleton Ross in September 2022 as a Receptionist. Donna previously worked in customer services and as a senior insurance advisor.

Bio

Sign up to our newsletter