Law firm Thorntons enhances Fife presence with Clarkson Hamilton merger

One of Scotland’s largest legal firms has announced plans to merge with a south Fife law practice, expanding its reach further down the East coast.

In the latest a series of such moves, Thorntons will merge with Kirkcaldy-based Clarkson Hamilton, combining resources from 1 June 2016.

In a development in-keeping with the continuing consolidation of Scotland’s legal sector under the banner of the industry’s big-hitters, the merged firm will be known as Thorntons.

Having merged with Steel Eldridge Stewart and Murray Donald in 2014 and Watts Law last year, Thorntons now has a total of 41 Partners across its offices in Dundee, St Andrews, Cupar, Edinburgh, Anstruther, Kirkcaldy, Perth, Arbroath, Montrose and Forfar.

All of Clarkson Hamilton’s employees will remain with Thorntons following the merger.

Grant Hamilton will remain a Partner in the firm, while Graeme Clarkson will become a consultant following the merger.

Thorntons joint managing partner, Craig Nicol, said: “Bringing Clarkson Hamilton and Thorntons together will greatly strengthen and expand our service for clients. Our commitment to clients is to deliver a complete, first class legal service locally in all of our locations. Grant and Graeme have been growing a very successful and thriving practice in Kirkcaldy and we are looking forward to working with them to help build on that in the coming years.

“While continuing to deliver all the advice previously delivered by Clarkson Hamilton, the merger will allow us to bring strengthened legal specialist services to the area in particular property, wills and estate planning. We will also expand our estate agency operation into the Kirkcaldy area offering sellers access to our large branch network and database of active buyers. Our specialist business law teams will also have a presence in Kirkcaldy. Services such as employment, commercial property and immigration will all be available from the offices on Park Place.

“Research has shown us that Kirkcaldy is one of the fastest growing towns in Scotland. Great initiatives such as the Adam Smith Global Foundation Centre demonstrate the commitment there is to bring more people to the town and we believe there is great potential for our business there.

Grant Hamilton said: “Clarkson Hamilton naturally fits with Thorntons as we have a great number of shared goals, priorities and a desire to offer clients only the very best level of service. As a native of the East Neuk I know the firm well. I am looking forward to developing the business in Kirkcaldy and also spending part of the week in our Anstruther office meeting clients. ”

Mr Clarkson added: “Grant and I will continue to be 100 per cent committed to our clients but will have the added support of Thorntons’ extended expertise to deliver an expanded range of services.”