Legal firms join forces in 'exciting' merger plan

Two Scottish law firms have agreed a merger. 

Thorntons and Patience and Buchan are set to join forces.

Bosses say the move – due to complete on October 1 – will “strengthen legal services in Aberdeen and beyond”.

Under the terms of the deal, Patience and Buchan partners Lorna Buchan and Ashley Simpson, alongside four employees, will transfer to the merged firm, which will be known as Thorntons.

The deal creates Thorntons’ first permanent office in Aberdeen.

Thorntons has offices in Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Perth, and supports more than 300,000 businesses and individuals across the UK and globally.

Founded in 2000 and based in Aberdeen’s Golden Square, Patience and Buchan operates across family law, with a specific focus on areas such as complex child-related cases, and separation and divorce involving significant assets. 

Lesley Larg, Thorntons managing partner, said: “Aberdeen has been an area of interest for a considerable amount of time, but it was essential we found the right people to partner with.

“Patience and Buchan really stood out, and its growth ambitions perfectly complement our own commercial outlook.”

Lorna Buchan, Patience and Buchan partner, added: “Thorntons is one of Scotland’s most respected and successful independent law firms.

“Joining with Thorntons secures our legacy, creates exciting opportunities for our colleagues and ensures clients continue to receive strong service.”

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