Skip to content
Law Society of Scotland
Search
Find a Solicitor
Contact us
About us
Sign in
Search
Find a Solicitor
Contact us
About us
Sign in
  • For members

    • For members

    • CPD & Training

    • Membership and fees

    • Rules and guidance

    • Regulation and compliance

    • Journal

    • Business support

    • Career growth

    • Member benefits

    • Professional support

    • Lawscot Wellbeing

    • Lawscot Sustainability

    • Lawscot Tech

  • News and events

    • News and events

    • Law Society news

    • Blogs & opinions

    • CPD & Training

    • Events

  • Qualifying and education

    • Qualifying and education

    • Qualifying as a Scottish solicitor

    • Career support and advice

    • Our work with schools

    • Funding your education

    • Social mobility

  • Research and policy

    • Research and policy

    • Research

    • Influencing the law and policy

    • Equality and diversity

    • Our international work

    • Legal Services Review

    • Meet the Policy team

  • For the public

    • For the public

    • What solicitors can do for you

    • Making a complaint

    • Client protection

    • Find a Solicitor

    • Frequently asked questions

    • Your Scottish solicitor

  • About us

    • About us

    • Contact us

    • Who we are

    • Our strategy, reports and plans

    • Help and advice

    • Our standards

    • Work with us

    • Our logo and branding

    • Equality and diversity

Journal logo
  • PRACTICE

    PRACTICE

    • Practice

    • Corporate law

    • Criminal law

    • Employment law

    • Environment law

    • Family law

    • Industry updates

    • Intellectual property

    • Property law

    • Technology law

    • Technology and innovation

    • Practice

    • Corporate law

    • Criminal law

    • Employment law

    • Environment law

    • Family law

    • Industry updates

    • Intellectual property

    • Property law

    • Technology law

    • Technology and innovation

  • PEOPLE

    PEOPLE

    • People

    • Equality, diversity & inclusion

    • Ethics & professional responsibility

    • Obituaries

    • Wellbeing & support

    • Noticeboard

    • People

    • Equality, diversity & inclusion

    • Ethics & professional responsibility

    • Obituaries

    • Wellbeing & support

    • Noticeboard

  • CAREERS

    CAREERS

    • Careers

    • Job board

    • Leadership

    • Management

    • Skills

    • Training & education

    • Next generation

    • Careers

    • Job board

    • Leadership

    • Management

    • Skills

    • Training & education

    • Next generation

  • KNOWLEDGE BANK

    KNOWLEDGE BANK

    • Knowledge Bank

    • Book club

    • Interviews

    • Sponsored content

    • Knowledge Bank

    • Book club

    • Interviews

    • Sponsored content

  • ABOUT THE JOURNAL

    ABOUT THE JOURNAL

    • About the Journal

    • Contact us

    • Journal Editorial Advisory Board

    • Newsletter sign-up

    • About the Journal

    • Contact us

    • Journal Editorial Advisory Board

    • Newsletter sign-up

Thorntons merger with Macnabs takes prominent independent firm to record headcount

22nd April 2025 Written by: Joshua King

A leading Scottish law firm has bolstered its share of the market with a "strategic merger" — taking total headcount to nearly 650 staff.

Independent firm Thorntons has confirmed its merger with Macnabs, and the newly enlarged firm, operating as Thorntons, will be the fourth largest enterprise of its kind in Scotland.

The deal takes the total number of partners in the operation to 77.

“This is an exciting new chapter for our firm, as we welcome our new colleagues from Macnabs and become fully operational as a single, strengthened team."

Leading independent Scottish law firm Thorntons has significantly strengthened its market presence and share following the completion of its strategic merger with Macnabs, achieving a record headcount of more than 640 people including 77 partners.

Thorntons has also bolstered by the addition of a new office in Bridge of Allan, just north of Stirling.  Thorntons’ Perth office at Whitefriars Crescent will welcome new colleagues from Macnabs this week.  The space has been developed to accommodate new colleagues, with new working, collaboration and meeting spaces.

The firm’s new headcount represents growth of 39% since 2022, as the firm, along with the wider legal sector, emerged from the pandemic.

Thorntons can trace its roots back to 1857, with Macnabs later establised in 1880 and boasting a track record of work in family law, wills and estate planning, employment, litigation and property conveyancing.

Lesley Larg, Managing Partner at Thorntons, said: “This is an exciting new chapter for our firm, as we welcome our new colleagues from Macnabs and become fully operational as a single, strengthened team.

“The merger enhances our capabilities and extends our reach across central Scotland, offering clients an even broader range of legal expertise. We remain focused on delivering outstanding service and trusted legal advice across all our locations.”

Ruth Croman, former Managing Partner at Macnabs and now a Partner at Thorntons, added: “Joining Thorntons marks an important and positive step for our people and our clients. We’re proud to now be part of a larger, progressive firm that shares our values and commitment to client care. The transition has gone smoothly, and we’re already seeing the benefits of combining our strengths.”

Remembering our colleagues and friends in August 2025
Journal 1st August 2025
The Society has shared the latest obituary list, for all of us all to take a moment to remember those within our profession.
‘Threat or game-changer?’ — Lawyers worldwide to have say on future of AI in the profession
Journal 30th July 2025
The International Bar Association (IBA) has launched the next phase of a survey to help lawyers around the world respond to the challenges of artificial intelligence.
All change at top of leading Scottish firm as commercial real estate partner Neil Robb appointed chair
Journal 30th July 2025
Blackadders LLP has announced the appointment of Neil Robb, partner and head of commercial real estate, as chairman.
Read all stories
About the author
Joshua King
Editor of the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland. Leading The Journal's coverage of the legal sector and profession with a clear eye to the future. Qualified in Scots law.
About
Add To Favorites

Additional

https://www.clio.com/uk/?utm_medium=bar_partner&utm_source=law-society-scotland&utm_campaign=law-society-scotland-q2
https://www.evelyn.com/people/keith-burdon/
https://lawware.co.uk
https://www.lawscotjobs.co.uk/client/frasia-wright-associates-92.htm
https://www.findersinternational.co.uk/our-services/private-client/?utm_campaign=Scotland-Law-society-Journal-online&utm_medium=MPU&utm_source=The-Journal
https://yourcashier.co.uk/

Related Articles

Staffing, technology and stress holding back Scotland's small firms despite optimism

23rd July 2025
A survey of smaller Scottish law firms has found many are upbeat about the future of such legal businesses, despite...

How Brodies marked 15 years of consecutive growth with record revenue

16th July 2025
Brodies LLP has badged itself as Scotland’s leading law firm, with more than 100 partners and a roster of flagship...

June's list of partner promotions, appointments and new hires as Scottish summer brings sunny future

14th July 2025
June's list of partner promotions, appointments and new hires as Scottish firms show sector is booming

Journal issues archive

Find all previous editions of the Journal here.

Issues about Journal issues archive
Law Society of Scotland
Atria One, 144 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EX
If you’re looking for a solicitor, visit FindaSolicitor.scot
T: +44(0) 131 226 7411
E: lawscot@lawscot.org.uk
About us
  • Contact us
  • Who we are
  • Strategy reports plans
  • Help and advice
  • Our standards
  • Work with us
Useful links
  • Find a Solicitor
  • Sign in
  • CPD & Training
  • Rules and guidance
  • Website terms and conditions
Law Society of Scotland | © 2025
Made by Gecko Agency Limited