Solicitors & Notaries Oban, Argyll, Scotland 01631 563014
Our People
All of our partners and staff are supported by a full compliment of clerical and other administrative staff.
The Partners
George Seaton
Originally from Ayrshire, George completed his training in Edinburgh and settled in Oban in 1974 becoming a partner of the firm in 1976. George specialises in residential and commercial conveyancing and general private client business. George holds a number of offices in various organisations and, in particular, is clerk to the Congregational Board of the Church of Scotland and clerk to the Lord-Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute. George also acts as trustee for several charities.
Out of the office George plays golf occasionally but his major passion is sailing. He is past Commodore of both Oban Sailing Club and the Royal Highland Yacht Club and is a member of the Mudhook Yacht Club. He was chairman of the West Highland Yachting Week Regatta Committee for many years.
Duncan Durbin
Originally from Edinburgh, after qualifying in 1988 Duncan worked in the Borders and in Edinburgh before joining D M MacKinnon in 1992. Duncan became a partner with this firm in 1996. He specialises in criminal advocacy, family law, personal injury cases and contract disputes.
Duncan has many interests outside work including reading, walking, cycling, running, fishing and gardening.
Alan Manson
Alan joined D M MacKinnon in 1994 after completing his legal training in Edinburgh. He became a partner with this firm in 1999 and now deals with a broad area of legal work. He specialises in conveyancing and all aspects of property law relating to landed estates and farms. He has recently been involved with a number of renewable energy projects as well as the commercial development of agricultural land for a number of farming clients.
Away from the office, Alan enjoys outdoor pursuits particularly fishing, walking and sailing.
Karen MacAllister
Originally from Durban, South Africa where she qualified as a lawyer, Karen joined the firm in 1989 as a Legal Assistant and re-qualified to practice in Scots law, becoming a partner in 2006. She deals mainly with wills, trusts and executries, elderly client advice, commercial and private leases and general private client business.
Out of the office Karen is actively involved in a number of Trusts and in her leisure time enjoys swimming and is an avid reader.
Associates
Louise Fraser
Louise is native to Oban and a former pupil of Rockfield School and Oban High School. After obtaining an MA (Hons) in English Language, Louise then completed the accelerated LLB, both at the University of Glasgow. Louise returned to Oban and joined D M MacKinnon in 2010 after working for three years in a commercial firm in Glasgow and deals mainly with conveyancing and employment law matters.
Outside work, Louise enjoys reading, socialising, swimming and walking her dog Mabel.
Laura McManus
Originally from West Lothian, Laura studied Law at the University of Edinburgh and qualified as a solicitor in 2006. She lived and worked in West Lothian before joining the court department at DM MacKinnon in October 2010. She specialises in criminal court work of all levels and particularly enjoys appearing before the jury.
Having recently moved to Oban, Laura spends her spare time outdoors and is enjoying discovering the surrounding area and especially the islands. She also enjoys playing and writing music on her guitar.
Senior Paralegal
Alison Dunn
Alison, who has lived most of her life in Oban, joined our firm as our first Paralegal in August 2002. She has worked in the legal profession for over 15 years. In 1999 Alison qualified from Strathclyde University as a Conveyancing Paralegal at an advanced level. She deals with both domestic and commercial conveyancing and liquor licensing.
Away from the office Alison enjoys music, bridge and outdoor pursuits including hill walking, cycling and running.
Paralegal
Isla McColl
Isla is local to Benderloch and a former pupil of both Dunbeg Primary and Oban High. She joined the firm in 2004 as an office junior and has had various roles within the office since then. She qualified from Strathclyde University as a Paralegal in Wills, Trusts and Executries in 2008.
Life out with the office is always busy with Isla. Her main interests include music, travel and socialising.
Law Accountant
Allan MacLellan
Allan, who has lived in Oban all his life, is a former pupil of St. Columbas and Oban High Schools. After leaving school Allan obtained an HND in Legal Studies before joining the firm in April 1988 and is now a qualified Law Accountant having gained his certificate from Strathclyde University in 1992.
Outside work Allan’s main interests are sport. He particularly enjoys coaching primary children’s football teams.