Solicitor firms WJM and MacArthur & Co join up

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie (WJM) is to incorporate Inverness-based fellow solicitor MacArthur & Co as of February next year.

From left: Torquil MacLeod, Ian MacDonald, Angus MacLeod, George MacWilliam, Ian Donaldson

The merged entity will be known as Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie (incorporating MacArthur & Co) and will have a combined turnover of more than £7 million.

All MacArthur & Co employees – four partners and nine further staff – are joining the combined practice, which is consequently to number 118 staff. This comprises 24 partners, 51 fee-earners and 43 further employees across its three offices, in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness.

Angus MacLeod, a corporate partner at WJM’s Inverness office, said: “Both firms have ambitions to grow the business and provide our clients with continuity of service and access to a wider range of expert legal services. These will be delivered by people with local knowledge who live and work in the Highlands with the support of the additional resources and infrastructure of WJM.”

MacArthur & Co’s senior partner, Ian MacDonald, added: “We want to build on the strengths and heritage of both firms and have a shared vision to help clients achieve what they want for themselves, their families and their businesses with a practical, friendly and value-for-money approach.”

MacArthur & Co’s existing practice provides legal ­services across the Highlands and Islands. Liam Entwistle, chief executive of WJM, said the deal will give the company a “real competitive advantage”.