Robert Dorrian

Robert is an employment lawyer with a strong reputation for advising on complex, high-risk employment and governance matters.

He acts for housing associations, charities and SMEs across the full range of contentious employment issues, with particular strength in employment tribunal litigation involving discrimination, unfair dismissal and whistleblowing claims.

He is regularly instructed on matters where employment law, governance obligations and reputational risk intersect. Clients value his ability to assess risk at pace and deliver clear, commercially grounded advice that supports confident decision-making at board and executive level.

Alongside his litigation practice, Robert provides employment and governance support on strategic projects, including restructurings, senior exits, regulatory engagement, board-level issues and employment risk arising from transactions and organisational change. He works closely with our corporate teams and senior stakeholders to ensure employment and governance considerations are addressed early and managed effectively.

Robert brings a distinct governance perspective through his experience as an active board member under public appointment by the Scottish Ministers. This informs his advisory work and gives clients practical insight into board dynamics, non-exec director duties and public accountability, particularly within regulated and mission-led organisations.

He also has a strong interest in mediation and alternative dispute resolution and advises on dispute resolution strategy where this aligns with wider commercial, governance and reputational priorities. He is known for his direct, measured approach and for building trusted relationships with clients operating in regulated and public-facing sectors.

Outside of work Robert is a keen traveller with a particular interest in places shaped by history, law and politics, an interest that mirrors his professional focus on decision-making, accountability and context.

 Memberships and Appointments

• Industrial Law Society Member
• Director, Hopeful Spaces (Mental health CIC)
• Board Member, Children’s Hearing Scotland