Andrew Malone

Based at our Castle Douglas office, Andrew was locally educated at Kirkcudbright Academy but had previously spent some time in the Falkland Islands. After graduating from Edinburgh University, he was admitted as a Solicitor in 1985. His main areas of practice include Domestic Commercial and Agricultural property, Family Law work, Wills Trusts and Executries, Guardianship and Adults with Incapacity (Mental Health) work, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprise work. Andrew is partner responsible for client relations and complaints and oversees cash room work. He is also a member of the local Solicitors' Property Centre Management Committee. Outside the office, he is a member and past Chairman of Castle Douglas and District Round Table and takes an active interest in charity work, being a member of The National Autistic Society.
His mailbox is Andrew Malone

Bryan McLachlan

Bryan graduated originally in Economics from Edinburgh University then went on to complete a law degree at the same university. After completing his apprenticeship in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright he gained wide experience of litigation, commercial, employment and conveyancing matters with the Scottish Health Service Central Legal Office where he worked for about 10 years. He returned to private practice in 1989, originally with another well-known local firm, before joining Hewats in 1999, becoming resident partner in the firm's Dalbeattie office. Although dealing with the wide spectrum of business that crops up in a branch office, he has a particular interest in employment law, medical negligence and reparation claims. Outside of the office, he is a keen follower of Kilmarnock FC and has an in depth knowledge of military history. For relaxation he enjoys blues music and walking up the odd hill (nowadays more often a Corbett than a Munro).
Bryan can be contacted at Bryan McLachlan

Charles Laurie

Charles originally obtained an English Law degree from the University of Cambridge in 1975. Subsequently he qualified as a barrister in England before devoting himself to a family farm near Castle Douglas for a number of years. He returned to the law in the early 1990s, qualifying in Scots Law at Glasgow University before taking up a position originally as an associate with Hewats in 1993. Charles was assumed as a partner in the firm with effect from 1st April 2002.His principal practice areas are domestic and commercial conveyancing, civil and criminal litigation and employment law. With his agricultural background he has a particular interest in agricultural law and the law of the countryside. Outside the office his interests include fishing, country sports and opera. Based at our Castle Douglas office
Charles can be contacted at Charles Laurie

Shani Power

Shani joined Hewats solicitors in April 2008 having previously worked and qualified as a solicitor in Ireland. Shani is dual-qualified in Scots and Irish law, and is a member of the Law Society of Scotland and the Law Society of Ireland. She obtained an honours law degree in 1998 from University College Dublin having spent one year studying at the University of Hanover in Germany. Shani was admitted to the Irish Roll of Solicitors in 2002, she also qualified that year as an Irish tax consultant. She is an Associate of the Irish Taxation Institute. Shani received her training and a number of years experience in general practice in a niche Dublin practice. Immediately prior to joining Hewats she worked as an associate solicitor specialising in property and executries in one of the top ten Irish commercial law firms. Shani’s practice is primarily focused on property and her interest and knowledge of other areas stem from this. Shani has a pragmatic, client focused approach to work which ensures that clients attain their objectives.

Iain McCreaddie

Our trainee solicitor Iain McCreaddie was born in Glasgow and graduated from Glasgow University in 2005 having studied for part of his degree at Stockholm University. He started his legal traineeship at Hewats in August 2007 after moving from the big smoke to the quiet village of Palnackie. He is enjoying his traineeship at Hewats and in particular likes the variety of work he gets to experience as a result of working in a rural practice. He enjoys rock climbing, good food and weekend trips away with friends.