The entire Dundee workforce at legal firm MacRoberts have left to join a rival.
The shockwave through the city’s legal community emerged as Thorntons hailed their nine new recruits.
Lesley Larg, managing partner at Thorntons, said: “We are always looking for opportunities to grow as part of our long-term strategic plan to be a progressive and prosperous business.
“This investment will continue to strengthen our specialist offering to clients and we look forward to welcoming the team on board.”
Dundee history of MacRoberts
MacRoberts opened its Dundee office in 2013 and most recently operated from River Court at City Quay.
It has around 150 staff across its main offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
There is now no trace of the Dundee office’s existence on the MacRoberts website.
It is understood there is no formal agreement between the firms.
MacRoberts did not respond to requests to comment.
The MacRoberts Dundee staff who moved
David Milne and Kyle Moir join as partners in commercial real estate.
They will work with paralegal Kirsty Smith and legal secretary Lesley Wilkinson.
Derek Petrie is a partner in residential conveyancing and Gemma Scrimgeour as a senior solicitor, along with trainee paralegal Jodi Blakeman.
Private client legal director Chris Gardiner returns to Thorntons after two years. He will work in the wills, trusts and tax planning team.
Daisy Walker joins that team as a business admin apprentice.
Mr Milne said: “The team and I look forward to joining Thorntons during an exciting and progressive period for the firm.”
Thorntons has 12 offices across Tayside, Fife, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
In 2019 the firm acquired eight partners and 41 staff from Morisons’ Edinburgh office after it went into administration.
It also acquired Fife firm Pagan Osborne in 2017.
