Scotland sees second major law firm tie-up in a week

A second major law firm tie-up in less than a week has been announced north of the border.

Irwin Mitchell is merging with Scotland-headquartered firm Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie to provide a ‘full suite’ of legal and financial services operating from more than 20 locations across England, Wales and Scotland.

Irwin Mitchell said the firms have complementary skills north of the border, with Irwin Mitchell Scotland operating out of Glasgow predominantly in banking and finance and complex personal injury work, while Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie specialises in corporate, private client, property and asset management.

Under the agreement, Irwin Mitchell partners Bruce Macmillan, Craig Marshall and Mark Higgins will join the newly constituted Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie management board. Fraser Gillies, managing partner at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie, will continue to head up operations in Scotland.

The tie-up comes shortly after Morton Fraser and MacRoberts agreed a merger that will see them become one of a ‘big four’ of independent law firms in Scotland.

The combined business, which will be known as Morton Fraser MacRoberts, will go live in November.

According to the Law Society of Scotland, Morton Fraser MacRoberts will have a total of 250 staff and annual revenue in the region of £46m.