The law firm Freeths has appointed Heather Gibson as a partner in its tax team, a hire announced on September 23. The move strengthens the firm’s tax capability in Scotland and across the United Kingdom, with a focus on corporate, private equity and real estate work. Gibson brings close to 20 years of experience advising on the tax aspects of deals and transactions, and joins a firm that has been growing its presence north of the border.
She joins from Addleshaw Goddard and has advised on corporate transactions, private equity investments, management buyouts and cross-border matters. Gibson sits on the Law Society of Scotland’s tax committee and the Chartered Institute of Taxation’s Scottish technical committee, and is a founder member of Women in Tax Scotland, a network for practitioners working in the field across the country.
Tax advice has become a larger part of transactional legal work as deals grow more complex and cross-border structures more common. Firms have competed to hire experienced tax lawyers who can guide clients through private equity investments and property transactions, which often turn on how tax is handled. Gibson’s arrival gives Freeths added depth in an area that can shape how a deal is structured. A misstep on tax can add cost or delay to a transaction, which raises the value of early advice.
“Heather is a highly respected tax lawyer whose breadth of experience across corporate transactions, private equity investments and real estate matters will be a tremendous asset,” said Adrian Hackett, a partner and joint head of tax. Gibson said Freeths had a strong reputation for practical, commercial advice and for collaboration across its practice areas.
The appointment is part of a broader expansion by national law firms in Scotland, where they compete with long-established local practices for clients and senior staff. The firm has added lawyers across several practice areas as it seeks corporate and property work, and building a recognised tax team is one way for an incoming firm to win business where specialist advice can prove decisive for clients. Freeths operates offices across England and has been building its team in Scotland.
