At BTO, we make a point of engaging with others in a positive and meaningful way.
We participate in a range of initiatives, including:
- Volunteering with various organisations, such as the Scottish Child Law Commission, Shared Parenting Scotland, local athletic/sports clubs and Cyrenians.
- Donating to local foodbanks and providing toys to children’s hospitals.
- Offering pro bono legal advice to individuals via, for example, the Edinburgh University Free Legal Advice Clinic (FLAC).
- Acting as trustees for various charities, ranging from a special school for children with severe and complex special needs, to The National Galleries of Scotland.
- Establishing a sports scholarship programme for local children and young people from disadvantaged areas and supporting Women & Girls in Sport week.
- Providing training and guidance from our corporate lawyers to social firms in Scotland.
- Offering guidance to schoolchildren / students considering law as their future profession and providing free mentoring and training via the University of Glasgow’s business incubation programme.
- Participating in organised initiatives such as Movember, Step Up September, The Great Scottish Run and the annual LandAid SleepOut.
- Supporting art workshops at a local care home for residents with dementia.
- BTO’s Fertility, Adoption & Surrogacy team is also the Corporate Partner of Fertility Network UK, the UK’s leading infertility support network.
See below a sample of how BTO cares for our people and others and visit the ESG – Responsible Business section of our website for more information about how we contribute positively to society and the environment.
Supporting our people
BTO cleans up: Turning ESG commitment into action
This winter, BTO colleagues wrapped up warm and headed out to Troon and Cramond beaches to clean up litter, helping to protect and enhance the marine and coastal environment.
On the east coast, Will Cole, BTO’s Sustainability Partner, was joined by colleagues from our Edinburgh office – Paul Motion, Wendy Thomson, Ian McCann, Heather Brand, Susan Knowles, Ann Seed and Rachel Gold – at Cramond beach. Read more…
BTO’s Batman takes the plunge for charity!
New Year’s Day 2026 got off to a chilling start across the UK as brave souls welcomed the year with icy plunges into seas, rivers and lochs — and Loch Lomond was no exception.
Stealing the spotlight was Paul Motion, newly appointed Director of Waterski and Wakeboard Scotland, who arrived in full, and very convincing, Batman costume – all in support of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) and Save the Children UK. Read more…
BTO takes on the Great Scottish Run 2025
In October 2025, our colleagues Kay Richardson, Natalie Boal, Ross Ward, Aaron Kane, Caitlyn Sinclair, Morgan Francis and Scott Buchan embraced the crisp autumn air and incredible atmosphere at the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, raising an impressive £850!
They ran in support of our Charity of the Year, The House of Hope Scotland, the country’s first bespoke support and wellbeing centre for anyone impacted by breast cancer. Congratulations also to our colleague Diana McLeish who completed the run with her friend Rachel in aid of the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. Read more…
The House of Hope Scotland raises £70k at inaugural Gala Ball with BTO Solicitors as headline sponsor
On Friday 5 September, BTO Solicitors LLP’s charity of the year, The House of Hope, hosted its first Gala Ball at Prestonfield House, Edinburgh.
BTO was proud to be headline sponsor of this sold-out event, hosted by Grant Stott and STV News’ Entertainment Reporter, Laura Boyd. Read more…
“Believe you can and you are halfway there.”
This quote inspired Diana McLeish to sign up to the Three Peaks Challenge. She completed the undertaking in less than 24 hours, raising nearly £5,000 for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. Earlier this year, Diana and her best friend Rachel Steen, bravely signed up to this adventure to thank the NHS and to raise money to help other babies, young people and families. Read more…
BTO supports Fringe by the Sea Festival 2025
BTO is proud to announce its role as a Supporting Partner of Fringe by the Sea, the award-winning, not-for-profit multi-arts festival taking place in North Berwick from 1–10 August 2025. Read more…
We all had an amazing time at the BTO Away Day 2024, which was a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues from across our three offices in an informal setting. Our Managing Partner, Grant Hunter and Chair, Caroline Carr, also provided an overview of recent firm developments.
Partner Lesley Gordon and our BD and Marketing Director Marianne McAvenna launched BTO’s refreshed values which encourage our people to be positive, supportive, brave and insightful. They also shared ways in which we can all play a part in bringing our values to life. It was a day of building paper towers, games, quizzing, karaoke and socialising with good food, great company and lots of laughter! Visit our Careers page if you are interested in joining BTO’s team.
A “kiltastic” effort in aid of Three Special Charities
Last weekend, three members of our Charities & Social Events Committee, who are ‘Fundraising Champions’ for BTO, participated in The Kiltwalk 2025 in Glasgow for The House of Hope, BTO’s nominated charity of the year, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and Back Onside. Collectively, Laura Salmond, Diana McLeish and Marianne McAvenna raised the fantastic total of £4324. Read more…
Supporting Children’s Aid Scotland
We were delighted to support Children’s Aid Scotland again by taking a table at the Question of Sport Dinner 2024. The event successfully raised £180,000 for this deserving charity and the money raised will make a substantial difference to many children! Read more…
Supporting our nominated charity for 2024
Well done to our ‘brave’ team of ‘Mighty Striders’, ‘Big Strollers’ and ‘Wee Wanderers’ who participated in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk 2024 and smashed our fundraising target by an amazing 139%, raising a fantastic total of £2395 for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA)! Read more…
Supporting Epilepsy Scotland
On 12 October 2024, we supported our client Epilepsy Scotland at its 70th anniversary dinner!
Supporting the arts
It was a pleasure to support the arts community again in September 2024 by sponsoring the closing of artist Calum Colvin‘s exhibition ‘This Living Hand’ at Summerhall in Edinburgh. Read more…
Supporting women in need
In summer 2024, we were pleased to support Dress for Success Scotland, a not for profit organisation which strives to empower women who are facing poverty, or are victims of trauma, to achieve economic independence. The organisation provides professional clothing and a network of support and personal skills to help them thrive in work, as well as in life. Read more…
Supporting local foodbanks
We often collect donations for local foodbanks and at our last two-day bake sale, we managed to raise £501.85. A hearty thanks to our colleagues who took the time to bake some amazing cakes and to those who made generous donations.
Please see our ESG Insights for the latest news updates.