166-year-old legal stalwart opens permanent Glasgow base and targets potential acquisitions

Thorntons, the Tayside-headquartered legal stalwart, has opened its first permanent Glasgow office as it targets further growth and potential acquisitions in Scotland’s largest city.

Back row from left: Jayne Macfarlane, Colin Graham, Richard Hart, Gurjit Pall. Front from left: Aimee Gibbons, Paul Haniford, Pamela Muir. Picture: Sandy Young Photography

The firm, which has more than 70 partners supported by 550 people, said it had a long history of working with clients in the west of Scotland but had lacked a permanent home in Glasgow. The new George Square base - which features a bespoke artwork by Glasgow graffiti artist Bobby McNamara, better known as Rogue One, the creator of several murals around the city - is seen as key to the firm’s west of Scotland expansion plans. At 7,200 square feet, the office will be able to host more than 60 desks - double the headcount of the existing team of almost 30 people.

Since the firm, which has a history and heritage stretching back more than 160 years, announced its plans to open a permanent base in the city it has confirmed a number of strategic hires, including commercial property partners Paul Haniford and Jayne Macfarlane, and litigation partner Stephanie Carr, who is an accredited insolvency specialist. They join the firm’s existing team which includes partner Liam McMonagle, a top IP, media and technology specialist; Aimee Gibbons, who specialises in commercial property; Pamela Muir, who specialises in insolvency and restructuring; and Gurjit Pall, immigration lawyer.

Thorntons now has 13 offices across Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Angus, Perth and Fife. The firm has invested £400,000 in the open plan layout at the new Glasgow operation, which incorporates a range of client meeting areas and flexible space that will support “collaborative working and wellbeing”.

Chairman Colin Graham said: “We’re extremely proud to introduce our new Glasgow office and we look forward to welcoming clients and contacts, old and new, through our doors. Establishing a permanent base is a landmark in the firm’s 166-year history, and I believe it will mark a turning point in our business. It also showcases who we are as a business, incorporating a sustainable design and amazing working and client spaces.

“Initially, we plan to focus on expanding our specialist business law advice to clients operating in the city’s most prominent sectors including commercial real estate, technology, higher education and housing associations, while also connecting with and supporting businesses across the wider west region. We are very excited by the organic growth opportunities in the marketplace, but we are also targeting lateral hires and hope to build on our successful track record of mergers and acquisitions,” he added.

Meanwhile, UK law firm Weightmans, which has an office in Glasgow, has announced record turnover in the wake of its merger with RadcliffesLeBrasseur in June 2022. Total income increased by 22 per cent to £125.9 million, 11 per cent of that organic. Net profit increased by 12.5 per cent to £12.7m in the 12-month period. Managing partner John Schorah said: “We are reassured by the figures, but more importantly how our people have responded to this challenging economic climate. The prospects for this year look really encouraging as well.”