Meet the team
Paul Sheridan
DIRECTOR
About Paul
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
About Melissa
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
About Sarah
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.
Gabriela Somerville
Solicitor
About Gabriela
Gabriela qualified as a solicitor in March 2024, having obtained her Diploma from the University of Strathclyde. She trained in various areas of law including family law, child protection, criminal defence and civil litigation. Since qualifying, Gabriela has specialised in family law.
Gabriela represents a wide range of clients in family law disputes including residence/contact disputes and divorce. Gabriela regularly appears at Sheriff Court level throughout Scotland and has conducted successful family law proofs. In addition, Gabriela often advises clients experiencing domestic abuse. Gabriela also represents clients at children’s proceedings throughout Scotland.
Carmen Rowat
trainee solicitor
About Carmen
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.
Alec Donnelly
Trainee Solicitor
About Alec
Alec joined Rutherford Sheridan Solicitors in September 2023 and is currently a Second Year Trainee at the firm. He attended Strathclyde University at both undergraduate level and for his Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and graduated in May 2023. Throughout his time at the University, he was a member of the Strathclyde University Law Clinic and has put the skills and experience he gained here to use across our four main practice areas, Immigration, Criminal, Family and Children’s.
Alec has represented clients in the Immigration Tribunal, at Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland for both Criminal and Civil matters and at Children’s Hearings across the country. He has a keen interest in Criminal defence as well as in Human Rights law. He is committed to achieving the best outcomes for his clients and is working hard to establish a strong and successful legal career.
Aaron Clark
Trainee Solicitor
About Aaron
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.
Nadia Coyle
trainee solicitor
About Nadia
Kristin Lawn
HEAD OF ADMIN
About Kristin
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
About Josh
Ellie Langan
legal secretary
About Ellie
Lucy Delaney
legal secretary
About Lucy
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.
