Serena is the owner of d and h. Serena Sutherland joined Drever & Heddle - as the Firm was then known in 2003 - and has worked her way up through the company becoming a Partner in 2008 before taking over as the sole Director of d and h in 2016.
As a solicitor, she has a special interest in the area of family law and, in particular, with helping clients resolve issues around separation and children in a positive and efficient manner. In addition, Serena deals with Guardianships and Adults with Incapacity and Property Disputes. She can also assist with the purchase and sale of commercial property and various other matters and is responsible for the general running of the Firm.
Serena is part of The Office of the Public Guardian’s Professional Guardian scheme and is regularly appointed as Financial Guardian for people who have lost their ability to make decisions for themselves where there is no one else that can assist.
Serena also acts as Curator ad Litem to children in Adoption and other proceedings. Serena is able to prepare Child Welfare Reports at the request of the Sheriff Court in proceedings that relate to children.
Serena is a Law Society of Scotland Council representing her local constituency. She also sits on the Board, Finance Sub-Committee, Legal aid Sub-Committee and Complaints and Oversight Sub-Committee. . In addition, she is also a Notary Public. For many years Serena was also a Safeguarder appointed through Children 1st. In December 2021, Serena was appointed as a Legal Member of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland.
Serena is based in our Kirkwall office, although she travels to the Thurso and Stromness offices regularly.
Outside of work Serena sits on the board of Advocacy Orkney, Relationships Scotland, Kirkwall BID and is a legal advisor to the Island Games Committee organising the 2025 Island Games in Orkney. Serena lives in Stromness and enjoys seeing friends, walking her dog Roxy (who is also in the office most days), reading, the cinema and travelling.