Dundas & Wilson join the dash for Granite City

DUNDAS & Wilson yesterday became the last of the “big five” Scottish law firms to open an office in Aberdeen as the practice tries to grab a greater slice of the Granite City’s corporate market.

Partners Douglas Crawford and David Davidson, who had previously serviced the firm’s oil and gas clients from the Central Belt, will run the North-east branch, assisted by senior associate Helen Machin.

A spokeswoman said the firm was taking enough office space to house a team of 25 in Aberdeen but that growth will come over time and will be dependant on client demand.

The firm already has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, providing space for 82 partners and 369 fee-earners.

Rival firm Brodies opened an Aberdeen office in January 2011, following peers Maclay, Murray & Spens, McGrigors and Shepherd & Wedderburn to the city.

Last month, London-based Pinsent Masons unveiled proposals to acquire McGrigors, Scotland’s largest law firm by turnover. Dundas & Wilson ended merger talks with London-based Bircham Dyson Bell in October.

News of Dundas & Wilson’s office opening came as Aberdeen-based Ledingham Chalmers made its first foray into central Scotland by opening an office in Stirling. The firm, which has 24 partners, also has offices in Edinburgh and Inverness.