Merger creates largest full service Borders practice
"The largest full service legal practice in the Borders" has been created, as Cullen Kilshaw takes in the long established law firm of Iain Smith & Partners, effective from January 2021. The merged firm will be known as Cullen Kilshaw.
Founded in 1982, Cullen Kilshaw now has eight law and estate agency offices across the Borders, focusing on providing a full range of services to the property market, along with estate administration, wills and powers of attorney.
Iain Smith & Partners, which traces its origins back to the late 18th century, has a strong commercial law practice, as well as offering a full range of services across the spectrum of court work.
Iain Smith & Partners’ existing offices in Bank Close in Galashiels will house the merged and enlarged Court departments of both firms, while their other staff will relocate to Cullen Kilshaw’s headquarters on the top floor of the modern Waverley Chambers building in Ladhope Vale.
Both firms believe their emphasis on providing a locally based service at a competitive cost should stand the merged practice and its clients in good stead as they face the challenges of 2021 and the years ahead.
"This is another exciting chapter in our journey as the leading provider of property and legal services in the Borders", David Kilshaw, the senior partner of Cullen Kilshaw commented.
"We are looking forward to welcoming the current partners and employees of Iain Smith & Partners into the team. They bring a breadth of skills and experience which will blend seamlessly with our existing staff and will take our combined workforce up to 65 people, serving the local community in nine different locations across the Borders."
Gavin Hamilton of Iain Smith & Partners added: "We too all look forward to a new era and are equally committed to seeing the smoothest of transitions, such that the clients of both firms may expect to see enhanced legal services delivered from an expanded and dedicated team of professionals and loyal support staff."