Blackadders Solicitors has taken a further step towards a place among Scotland’s elite legal firms by moving to snap up two legal practices.
The Dundee firm has agreed merger terms with Perth’s Condies practice and with Edinburgh sole practitioner Colin Blaikie.
All 28 members of Condies staff are being retained by Blackadders but the name of the firm, which was first established by George Condie in 1787, will disappear from the streets of Perth after 227 years.
Partner Lindsay Darroch said both additions to the firm’s portfolio would trade under the Blackadders name.
The double merger move represented another milestone in Blackadders’ long-term strategy to establish itself among Scotland’s top 10 full service legal practices, an ambition that would need the business to double its £10 million turnover and likely establish a presence in other major cities, including Glasgow and Inverness.
“We see this move as an integral part of our development and a strengthening of our position as one of Scotland’s fastest-growing law firms,” Mr Darroch said.
“Condies are a very good fit with us. They have a very strong rural practice, which will enhance our own, a very strong private client base and wills bank and they are well known in the local property market, which is a market we have been keen to expand into for some time.”
Blackadders said it expected the merger deals to complete on October 1.
Condies partners David Reid and James Morris will retain partner status within Blackadders while Alastair Duncan will be engaged as a consultant. Colin Blaikie is also to become a partner with the enlarged firm.
Managing partner Johnston Clark said he was pleased to have concluded negotiations to bring the two firms into the Blackadders family.
“We are delighted to have established a base in Perth, which is arguably the most important urban centre in the east of Scotland after Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh, where we already have a presence,” Mr Clark said.
“The merger will further strengthen our position in the market and will have a positive impact on our clients.
“The move will enhance our presence and allow us an opportunity to further develop in Perth and Perhshire.
“In Edinburgh, the addition of Colin Blaikie to our senior team will further strengthen the client services we already offer in the capital, enhancing our team and adding to the development of this office since our merger with McKay Norwell in 2012.”
The latest deals by Blackadders, which follow January’s acquisition of Aberdeen-based Adam Cochran, comes amid a tide of consolidation within the Scottish legal sector in recent months.
Mr Clark said the enlarged Blackadders group would be able to better serve its client base.
He said: “The market for legal services in all our practice groups is changing and the partners believe that our growth into a national firm offers increased brand recognition and the resources required to take advantage of the opportunities this will create.”