Thorntons announces further merger as Kirkcaldy firm signs up

Expanding legal firm Thorntons has announced a further merger, this time with Kirkcaldy-based Clarkson Hamilton.

The two practices will combining resources from 1 June 2016 under the Thorntons name. All of Clarkson Hamilton’s employees will remain with Thorntons following the merger. Grant Hamilton will remain a partner, while Graeme Clarkson will become a consultant.

Thorntons' joint managing partner, Craig Nicol, commented: “Bringing Clarkson Hamilton and Thorntons together will greatly strengthen and expand our service for clients. Our commitment to clients is to deliver a complete, first class legal service locally in all of our locations. Grant and Graeme have been growing a very successful and thriving practice in Kirkcaldy and we are looking forward to working with them to help build on that in the coming years.

“While continuing to deliver all the advice previously delivered by Clarkson Hamilton, the merger will allow us to bring strengthened legal specialist services to the area, in particular property, wills and estate planning. We will also expand our estate agency operation into the Kirkcaldy area, offering sellers access to our large branch network and database of active buyers. Our specialist business law teams will also have a presence in Kirkcaldy. Services such as employment, commercial property and immigration will all be available from the offices on Park Place.

“Research has shown us that Kirkcaldy is one of the fastest growing towns in Scotland. Great initiatives such as the Adam Smith Global Foundation Centre demonstrate the commitment there is to bring more people to the town and we believe there is great potential for our business there."

Mr Hamilton added: “Clarkson Hamilton naturally fits with Thorntons as we have a great number of shared goals, priorities and a desire to offer clients only the very best level of service. As a native of the East Neuk I know the firm well. I am looking forward to developing the business in Kirkcaldy and also spending part of the week in our Anstruther office meeting clients. ”

Dundee-headquartered Thorntons merged with Steel Eldridge Stewart and Murray Donald in 2014 and Watts Law last year. It now has a total of 40 partners across its offices in Dundee, St Andrews, Cupar, Edinburgh, Anstruther, Kirkcaldy, Perth, Arbroath, Montrose and Forfar.