Leading law firm Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) has announced the appointment of Esme Macfarlane to Partner, a milestone which coincides with her chairing WJM’s prestigious renewables seminar once again this November.

Esme, who has been a key figure in WJM’s renewables property team for nearly nine years, has developed a reputation for delivering excellent quality service to the firm’s roster of high calibre developer clients on various major projects across Scotland.

Commenting on her promotion, Esme said: “It’s exciting to have my hard work recognised by being promoted to Partner and it’s a fitting reflection of the development of the renewables team at WJM over the years.

“I’m really pleased to be stepping into this new leadership role as we continue to grow. It’s not just about the great quality work we do — it’s about the strong relationships we’ve built with our clients, and I’m genuinely proud of what we have already achieved as a team and where we’re headed.

“This role reflects how far we’ve come and how much the renewables sector as a whole has evolved—it’s an exciting time as Scotland continues its drive towards Net Zero, with the challenges of energy security and sustainability always at the forefront.”

Andy McFarlane, Head of Renewables at WJM, said: “Myself and the rest of the team welcome Esme’s well deserved promotion to Partner. She sets a very high standard in terms of her client service and mentorship to others in the team and we all know how well she is thought of by our clients. We look forward to growing the team further with her in this new role.”

Esme’s promotion comes ahead of WJM and Irwin Mitchell’s joint renewables seminar on November 7 at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall, anticipated to be one of the firm’s best attended events of the year. Regarded as one of the most insightful and dynamic events of the year for the industry, the renewables seminar will bring together top experts to discuss the latest developments in the energy sector, tackling crucial topics such as policy requirements, biodiversity, planning, and grid with a view to delivering successful projects.

As Esme continues to expand her portfolio, her expertise will now extend further into Irwin Mitchell Scotland following the firm’s recent combination. In the 2025 Chambers rankings, published in October, Esme has also been recognised as an Associate to Watch.  Clients have praised her work, with comments commending her professionalism, proactivity and expertise. Her track record includes working on complex onshore wind projects in development, funding and acquisition stages and developing expertise in battery storage amongst other significant projects across the sector.

Fraser Gillies, Managing Partner at WJM, also commented: “Esme’s promotion to Partner is a testament to her dedication, expertise, and invaluable contributions to our firm over the years. We are immensely proud of her achievements and the role she will play in shaping our collective future.

“We’re proud of all she’s achieved and look forward to seeing her take on this new role with her signature energy and focus. Her leadership will be instrumental in the continued success of our renewables practice.

“Her promotion also reflects our continued ambitions to grow our business in Scotland as part of the IM Group.”

WJM’s annual seminar takes place on Thursday, 7 November at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow. Places are free and can be booked by emailing events@wjm.co.uk