Rutherford SheridaN

Meet the team

Paul Sheridan

DIRECTOR

Paul qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and became the civil department manager in one of Scotland’s largest legal aid firms within a few years of qualifying. He and Melissa set up Rutherford Sheridan Solicitors in 2016 to provide quality legal services to children and families throughout mainland Scotland. Paul’s areas of expertise are Family and Child Law. He has a reputation for tenaciously representing his clients and ensuring that he secures the best possible result for them. He has had a great deal of success in family law cases; grounds of referral proofs; relocation proofs; permanence order proofs; and children’s hearing appeals. Paul is a trauma-informed solicitor accredited by the Law of Society of Scotland. He is also a member of “Lawyers for Children” an organisation set up by Clan Child Law to promote higher standards of representation for children. Paul is a safeguarder for Children’s 1st; a curator ad litem in adoption cases; and a child welfare reporter for Glasgow Sheriff Court. He also teaches Family Law on the post-graduate diploma in Legal Practice at Strathclyde University.

 

Melissa Rutherford

DIRECTOR

Melissa qualified as a solicitor in 2010. She trained at a firm focussing on criminal defence and immigration. She moved to one of Scotland’s largest legal aid firms in 2013 and managed the criminal department there whilst still maintaining an interest in asylum and immigration.

In December 2016, Melissa co founded the firm Rutherford Sheridan Solicitors in Glasgow with fellow colleague and solicitor Paul Sheridan. The firm has grown to have a reputation of fighting for the rights of clients in a trauma informed manner.

Melissa has experience of family law, along with representing clients at children’s referral proceedings, particularly representing children. She is an advocate of being trauma aware and attempting to change attitudes to Aces and trauma in the legal system; and cofounded Trauma Aware Lawyers in Scotland in 2020. She has expertise in representing children in conflict with the law particularly those who have additional needs and have suffered trauma.

Melissa was appointed in 2021 by the Scottish Government as a Children’s Interviewing Rights Practitioner (ChIRP). Melissa sits on a number of advisory groups around children in conflict with the law and regularly takes part in round table groups.

In additional, she holds positions as Honorary Legal Agent for Children 1st National charity and board member on Indigo Childcare children’s charity. She also runs a drop in legal clinic for G20 Youth Group.

She is a certified specialist in Trauma informed practice from the Law Society of Scotland and was reaccredited in 2024.

In 2021 she was finalist for Solicitor of the Year at the Herald Law Awards. In 2022 Trauma Aware Law won “Innovation of the Year” Award at the Herald Law Awards. In 2023 she was  finalist for UK wide Women in Law awards in London in the “Champion of the Year” category. In October 2024 she was award “Legal Pioneer” Award by the Law Society OfScotland for the work with regards to Trauma informed practice.

Sarah Tolland

associate

Sarah started her traineeship with the firm in 2020 and qualified as a solicitor in 2022. She was promoted to the firm’s first associate solicitor in 2023, and practices primarily in child law. Sarah has experience dealing with all child law matters, including child protection orders, grounds of referral proofs, adoptions and permanence orders. She has experience instructing Counsel in the Sheriff Court, Sheriff Appeal Court and Court of Session. Sarah has successfully assisted parents with relocation cases and grounds of referral proceedings. Sarah is passionate about access to justice and prides herself on her commitment and dedication to her client’s and caseload. Sarah is the firm’s social and charity coordinator. She is responsible for arranging staff events and fundraising initiatives. Sarah goes above and beyond for her clients and endeavours to secure them the best outcomes with their legal matters.

Kellie Marshall

Solicitor

Before qualifying as a solicitor, Kellie worked in the third sector with a women’s charity, where she developed a passion for social justice and advocacy. Her traineeship focused primarily on asylum and human rights law, supporting people fleeing persecution from around the world. She has a strong knowledge of immigration law and has a good track record of successfully challenging Home Office decisions in the tribunal.

Now, as a qualified solicitor, Kellie is excited to continue working in immigration law while also applying her transferable skills to children’s law and family law; and is committed to championing social justice across these new areas.

Aaron Clark

Trainee Solicitor

Aaron joined the firm in April 2024 and is currently a first-year trainee solicitor. He studied at the University of Glasgow obtaining his Scots Law LLB (Hons) in 2022 and his Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in 2024. Throughout Aaron’s time at university he volunteered as an advice worker for Citizens Advice, both in his local community and within HMP Barlinnie. Aaron is passionate about access to justice for all.

Aaron has assisted clients across all of the firm’s practice areas – in the Sheriff Court for criminal and civil matters; in the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and at children’s hearings across Scotland. He also has experience instructing counsel in the Sheriff Court and the High Court. Aaron has a patient and kind approach and is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for all clients.

Carmen Rowat

Solicitor

Carmen started as a legal assistant with the firm in February 2023 whilst completing her Diploma at the University of Strathclyde. She thereafter began her traineeship in June 2023 gaining experience in our four main practice areas. Currently in the second year of her traineeship, Carmen is due to qualify as a solicitor in June 2025.

She regularly represents clients across Scotland in the Sheriff Court and the Children’s Hearing system. She instructs Counsel in the Sheriff Court, the High Court and the Court of Session in Criminal cases, Children’s Referrals, and Permanence and Adoption proceedings. 

Carmen primarily deals with matters relating to Family Law, Child Law and Criminal Law, with many of her cases involving residence and contact disputes. Carmen understands the importance of safeguarding the welfare of children and often assists clients in actions for delivery or return of children and those seeking protective orders. She is committed to her caseload and helping clients navigate the legal system for the best outcome.

Nadia Coyle

trainee solicitor

Nadia joined Rutherford Sheridan Solicitors in April 2024 as a legal assistant following her graduation from the University of Glasgow. She then commenced her traineeship with the firm in August 2024 and currently works across its four core practice areas: Children’s, Family, Criminal, and Immigration & Asylum law. Nadia regularly represents clients in Children’s Hearings and in Sheriff Courts across Scotland.
 
Dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes, Nadia is committed to providing thoughtful and effective advocacy for every client she represents.

Kristin Lawn

HEAD OF ADMIN

Kristin is the senior legal secretary at Rutherford Sheridan Ltd.

She is happy to help with new client enquiries, providing updates on client’s cases and helps progress asylum & immigration matters. Kristin has experience in management and as a case worker in a legal setting. She takes pride in assisting client’s with their legal matters.

Josh Keaney

Legal support

Josh is a legal secretary of Rutherford Sheridan Solicitors and has been with the company for 2 and a half years. He is happy to assist all of our current clients and any prospective clients in any way he can. Josh will usually be the first point of contact clients will have with the firm and as such he will make sure that every client feels listened to and their enquiries are treated seriously.

Ellie Langan

legal secretary

Ellie joined Rutherford Sheridan Solicitors as a legal secretary at the firm in 2021. 
 
Ellie is currently in her honour’s year at the University of Glasgow studying Scots Law LLB. She is on track to graduate in June 2025 and intends on completing her Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in 2026. Ellie is due to begin her traineeship with the firm in June 2026. 
 
Ellie’s role includes assisting solicitors with the preparations of their cases, client consultations and general administrative tasks. She is patient and approachable and always happy to help.

Kaitlyn Farren

Trainee Solicitor

Kaitlyn joined Rutherford Sheridan Solicitors in September 2025 as a legal trainee Solicitor following completing her Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Strathclyde. She studied her Scots Law LLB (Hons) at Glasgow Caledonian University and graduated in 2023. Throughout Kaitlyn’s time at university, she volunteered with the university’s Law Clinic, was involved in the Campaign for Complainer Anonymity and worked as a volunteer for the Miscarriage of Justice Organisation.

Between studying her LLB and Diploma, Kaitlyn undertook a Masters in Criminal Justice and Penal Change at the University of Strathclyde, aiming to understand how criminal justice operates throughout the wider world particularly, when it comes to young people.

She is dedicated to learning about all the different areas that the firm has to offer.

Lucy Delaney

legal secretary

Lucy joined Rutherford Sheridan Solicitors in 2022 and is currently a legal secretary at the firm. She is pursuing a career in law and is in her final year of studying at the University of Glasgow, on track to obtain her Accelerated Scots Law LLB in 2025. Following this, she is expected to complete her Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in 2026 and begin as a trainee solicitor with the firm.

Lucy has experience in assisting the solicitors with the preparation of court documents, client consultations, and various other administrative tasks. Lucy aims to provide an efficient and friendly service to all clients.

Jade

Trainee Solicitor

Jade Joined the firm in 2025 and is currently a first-year trainee solicitor. She has a background in hospitality and client services studied at the University of Stirling obtaining both BA Law (Hons) and Scots Law LLB , before completing her Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in July 2025.
Throughout her time at university, she volunteered for Citizens Advice, Victim Support and Miscarriages of Justice Organisation. Jade is enthusiastic about enhancing access to legal services and providing support and advocacy to individuals during challenging times.

Amy McInally

admin assistant

Amy Joined Rutherford Sheridan solicitors as an admin assistant at the firm. She is pursuing a career in law and is in her final year at the University of Edinburgh studying Scots Law LLB. She is on track to graduate in June 2026 and intends on completing her Diploma in Professional legal practice in 2027.

Amy’s role include assisting the solicitors with the preparation of their cases and various other administrative tasks.

Amy aims to provide an effective and friendly service to all clients.