Scottish commercial law firm MacRoberts has announced a north-east expansion plan involving the launch of a new office and recruitment of staff in the heart of Dundee.
The move will bring Dundee University graduate and former managing director of the firm John Macmillan back to the city to steer the new hub.
The company said it is looking for suitable commercial property in the centre of Dundee.
The new office will provide the full range of legal services offered by the existing MacRoberts offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, it said, and staffing levels will expand in Dundee as a result.
Craig Turnbull, managing partner at the firm, hailed the move as an “exciting and strategically important decision” by MacRoberts.
He added that the economic activity in Tayside including the new £45 million V&A museum, the £1bn Waterfront development, which is the second-largest regeneration project in Scotland, and the new £14m railway station were key factors in the decision of the firm to locate in Dundee.
“MacRoberts already has many clients in the North East,” Mr Turnbull added.
Mr Macmillan, a managing partner at the firm between 1998 and 2005, said he is delighted to be moving back to his university city.
“There is already a considerable demand for our services in the Dundee and Perth areas and across Fife,” he said.
In 2012, MacRoberts continued to increase the firm’s partner base, currently at 48, with three new recruits from rival companies.
Figures filed by the firm during its latest financial year showed a 4% reduction in turnover to £17,318,250.
The company reported pre-tax profits of £5,493,869, a drop of 4% on a like-for-like basis from 2010-11.
Mr Turnbull commented: “Lawyers provide legal advice to companies and businesses and if their activity is reduced so is their need for our services.
“While we are disappointed with any reduction in turnover and profit, we are encouraged that traditionally strong sectors for MacRoberts, such as employment and construction, continue to outperform the market.
“We are also seeing increased activity in energy, corporate finance and IP.”
business@thecourier.co.uk