Harper Macleod reports bumper year

Another record year in 2015-16 at law firm Harper Macleod saw turnover leap by almost 17% from £22m to £25.7m, the firm announced today.

Profits, as yet unaudited, were up by about 13% from just under £8m to £9.08m.

Now the second largest professional services partnership in Scotland, with 72 partners, Harper macleod said it had enjoyed significant growth across the country, including a greatly increased presence in new Edinburgh offices and a venture into Shetland through the acquisition of local firm Dowle, Smith & Rutherford.

Also during the year a team of 10, including five partners, joined from the former McClure Naismith, and the firm won a series of awards including Firm of the Year at the 2016 Scottish Legal Awards in March.

HM Connect, the legal support and referral network which counts more than 290 independent high street and rural firms among its members, continues to grow and collectively represents a major client of the firm.

Chairman Professor Lorne Crerar commented: “This has been, beyond doubt, the most impressive year to date for Harper Macleod and a very important indicator for us is that our growth has been across the full spectrum of the sectors of the Scottish economy, broadly categorised as private, public or third sector. 

“Exceeding clients’ expectations in our delivery of outstanding legal services assessed upon criteria of expertise, delivery methodology, relationship focus and price is a message our clients tell us they appreciate and is a key factor for existing and new clients using Harper Macleod."

Chief executive Martin Darroch added: “Our performance has also enabled us to attract talented people to the firm and maintain our strategy of organic growth with a sole focus on the Scottish market. That’s a market which isn’t growing as a whole, so the only way to thrive is to increase market share and that’s exactly what we’ve done.

“We have made significant investments in the past year and with a strong balance sheet are well placed to make moves where we see a real benefit. However, we expect this to be a year where we consolidate the significant additions we have made to the maximum benefit of our clients and our people.”