Partner & Solicitor Advocate

Niall McLean

Niall gives both public and private sector clients advice in a broad range of areas including: education, environmental law, governance, defamation and reputation management, and public law and statutory interpretation. Niall has experience advising on the data protection and reputation management issues that arise from cyber attacks. He supports clients domestically and internationally with a particular focus on giving clients strategic and pragmatic advice.

Niall is a solicitor advocate with extended rights of audience in the Court of Session and has extensive advocacy experience, regularly appearing in court for clients. He is also regularly instructed to manage significant pieces of litigation in the Court of Session including judicial reviews and statutory appeals primarily focusing on planning & environment, local government and education law.

Living Brodies' values

Niall takes a collaborative approach to working with clients and colleagues and is described as "a very bright, energetic and up-and-coming lawyer" by clients.

Highlights

The only solicitor advocate appointed to the Scottish Government’s list of ‘Standing Junior Counsel’. Niall regularly acts for the Scottish Government in a broad range of Court of Session actions, with a particular interest in planning & environmental litigation.
On the panel of preferred counsel for the Equality & Human Rights Commission.
Leads our local government practice and chairs our cross-firm Government & Business Team, and the firm's Education Group.
As Brodies' Client Relations Partner, Niall supports clients and colleagues to manage any relationship issues.

Rankings

Ranked as 'Next Generation Partner' by Legal 500 UK 2026 for Media and Entertainment, Environment and Education.
Ranked Band 1 by Chambers 2026 in Defamation & Reputation Management, and Band 2 in Administrative & Public Law, Professional Discipline and Education.
Ranked by Legal 500 2026 as a 'Leading Partner' and Chambers as Band 1 in Local Government.

Niall is a trusted legal adviser with a comprehensive understanding of the environment we work in.

Chambers UK 2026

Niall is super, very knowledgeable and experienced in Scottish procedure, a specialist that understands case law and the nuances.

Chambers UK 2026

Niall McLean is called upon by regulators, individuals and university fitness-to-practise panels. He has a broad disciplinary practise that includes the health and social care, education and legal sectors.

Chambers UK 2026

I worked almost exclusively with Niall Mclean at Brodies and could not have asked for better service. Niall was efficient, understanding, empathetic, and very pleasant to work with. I was also well taken care of by the various staff I came across in my brief encounter.

Legal 500 UK 2026