LAWYER PROFILE

Niall McLean

UK 2026

Brodies LLP

Ranked in 5 practice areas

Local Government

Scotland

8 years ranked

Defamation/Reputation Management

Scotland

3 years ranked

Education: Institutions

Scotland

2 years ranked

Administrative & Public Law

Scotland

6 years ranked

Professional Discipline

Scotland

3 years ranked

About

Provided by Brodies LLP

UK

Career

Niall is co-head of our Government and Business team and is part of Brodies' Government, Regulation and Competition practice. He gives both public and private sector clients advice in a broad range of areas including: environmental law, governance, defamation and reputation management, public law and statutory interpretation.

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.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Defamation/Reputation Management - Scotland

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Niall McLean is a partner in the firm's risk, government and compliance team. He is noted in particular for his representation of corporations and public sector institutions in sensitive reputation management, social media and defamation matters.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Local Government - Scotland

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Niall McLean regularly acts on contentious matters on behalf of local authorities. He has strength across a spectrum of matters, including sensitive employment disputes, investigations and housing litigation.

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Administrative & Public Law - Scotland

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Niall McLean is a partner and solicitor advocate in the government, regulation and competition practice at Brodies. He is noted for his experience advising public and private sector clients on a range of public law matters, including governance, statutory appeals and judicial reviews.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Education: Institutions - Scotland

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Niall McLean co-leads the education department at Brodies. He has experience dealing with clients across the educational landscape, including authorities, independent schools, higher and further education institutions, and professional bodies.

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Professional Discipline - Scotland

Band 2

Individual Editorial

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.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

He nailed it.
Defamation/Reputation ManagementChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Niall was excellent at handling a very difficult and sensitive case.
Defamation/Reputation ManagementChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
We could not ask for better from Niall.
Defamation/Reputation ManagementChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Niall is super, very knowledgeable and experienced in Scottish procedure, a specialist that understands case law and the nuances.
Defamation/Reputation ManagementChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Niall is very supportive and has been excellent in understanding our business needs.
Local GovernmentChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Niall has excellent practical knowhow and puts the client at ease. He manages and overviews matters so well too.
Local GovernmentChambers Guide to the Legal Profession