Our People

John Maccoll

Solicitor – John is local to Inverness and graduated from Aberdeen University in 1992, gaining his LLB qualification. He then completed his Diploma in Legal Practice at the same University the following year. John has worked for the firm since completing his traineeship. John has extensive experience in all criminal prosecutions ranging from Justice of the Peace matters to more serious and complex prosecutions at Sheriff Court, Sheriff & Jury and High Court level.

Shahid Latif

Solicitor Advocate – Shahid has experience in all types of criminal matters ranging from first instance trials to appeals against conviction and appeals against sentence heard within the High Court. In 2001 he became an Advocate and has been involved in a number of cases that have been widely reported and have contributed to the development of Scots Criminal Law. Amongst the more unusual prosecutions he has defended are those involving cybercrime and terrorism. Shahid was part of the team that secured the conviction of Abdelbaset Ali al Megrahi for the Lockerbie bombing. He also acted as Junior Counsel for the defence in HMA v Mohammed Atif Siddique, the first prosecution in Scotland of Islamic Terrorism. Shahid is part of our Sheriff & Jury Trials team and regularly represents our clients in the High Court.

Rory Gowans

Solicitor – Rory is also a local to Inverness and has followed in his late father’s footsteps in pursuing a career in Criminal Defence. He gained his LLB from the University of Strathclyde in 2005 and thereafter completed his Diploma in Legal Practice at the Glasgow Graduate School of Law the following year. Rory trained with a large commercial firm before specialising in Criminal Defence work in 2008. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Management from the Robert Gordon University and is a Notary Public. Rory has extensive experience dealing with cases at all criminal court levels.

Clare Russell

Solicitor Advocate – Clare graduated from Edinburgh University in 2011, gaining her LLB (Hons) qualification, and then her Diploma in Legal Practice from the same University in 2012. Clare thereafter completed her traineeship in a general practice firm, before specialising in Criminal Defence. In 2022, Clare was admitted as a Solicitor Advocate and granted Rights of Audience before the High Court and the Judicial Committee of The Privy Council. Clare is part of our Sheriff and Jury Trials team and also represents clients in the High Court. Additionally, Clare is a registered Notary Public.