Mr Hamilton, who joined the firm in January 2023 as legal counsel and was subsequently promoted to CLO, has been instrumental in building and leading Johnston Carmichael’s Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) capability as the firm has grown in scale and regulatory complexity.

As CLO and head of GRC, Mr Hamilton holds a range of key officer roles including money laundering reporting officer, data protection officer, and whistleblowing officer. He contributes across multiple firm committees and manages the firm’s legal relationships with regulators, working to enhance practices through inspections and recommendations.

Mr Hamilton also oversees contract due diligence and professional indemnity matters, protecting Johnston Carmichael’s commercial interests.

Beyond legal risk management, he leads the firm’s Facilities and Health & Safety function, playing a key role in ensuring compliance with regulations and supporting the firm’s property strategy.

Prior to entering the legal profession, Mr Hamilton pursued a career in the luxury automotive industry, rising to become head of business for a range of leading brands. He began studying law at evening classes to improve his understanding of employment and customer matters and went on to complete a three-year ordinary degree, passing with distinction, while continuing to work full-time.

Following qualification, Mr Hamilton practised commercial litigation for three years before moving in-house at drinks business Heineken. He joined Johnston Carmichael in January 2023, managing internal risk and regulatory and contractual matters. He is also a convenor of one of the regulatory sub-committees at the Law Society of Scotland.

Mr Hamilton said: “Becoming a Partner is a tremendous honour and reflects the trust the firm places in the GRC function and in me as an adviser to the business.

“Culturally, Johnston Carmichael is a superb place to work, with governance and risk embraced as a key driver of progress.

“As we grow in scale and complexity, I’m proud to play a part in ensuring the firm is well protected, well governed, and commercially resilient.”

Lynne Walker, CEO of Johnston Carmichael, said: “Our people are what make Johnston Carmichael and these promotions reflect the depth of talent, expertise and ambition we’re building for the future.

“As we mark our 90th anniversary, we remain focused on providing a platform where our people can build great careers, develop their leadership skills, and make a real difference for our clients and communities.”

Mark Houston, chair and senior partner at Johnston Carmichael, said: “Keith’s promotion to Partner is a reflection of the scale of accountability he carries and the strategic value he brings to our firm.

“He has built an exceptional GRC function and has become a trusted and highly regarded member of our senior leadership team. This is a thoroughly well-deserved recognition.”