Harper Macleod takes on five McClure Naismith partners to bolster expanded Edinburgh office

Harper Macleod has attracted five new partners among ten recruits from fellow Scottish firm McClure Naismith LLP, which entered administration on Friday.

An eight-strong dispute resolution team, led by three partners, will be joined by partners in real estate and corporate at Harper Macleod’s new, larger Edinburgh offices from today.

The litigation team is headed by partners John McHugh, E-Ming Fong andSuzanne McGarrigle, while the addition of Philip Sim in real estate andScott Kerr to the firm’s corporate team will take the firm’s number of partners in Edinburgh to 18.

Professor Lorne Crerar, chairman of Harper Macleod , said: “John, E-Ming and Suzanne specialise in areas which extend our litigation practice and their addition means we will have a six-partner strong litigation team based in Edinburgh.

“They are a very highly regarded commercial and public sector litigation team and by also bringing across their support team they will be able to hit the ground running.

“Both Philip and Scott are highly regarded practitioners who will both extend our reach in corporate and real estate work in the city, and complement our wider teams across the country.”

As well as the partners, one associate, two solicitors and two assistants will join Harper Macleod’s litigation team.

Professor Crerar added that Harper Macleod is intent on further growth in the period ahead.

He said: “The Scottish legal profession has endured seismic change over recent years and the role of the management team here at Harper Macleod has been to ensure that such change is an opportunity to build and sustain our business as a leading supplier of legal services in Scotland.

“I am very pleased that we have grasped the opportunities and risen to the challenge so well.

“I am in no doubt that the cycle of change has not yet completed and a balanced mixture of organic and acquisitive growth will be the key to our strategy for future success.”

The new faces arrive at their new home following a difficult period for McClure Naismith.

Martin Darroch, chief executive of Harper Macleod, emphasised that the firm had gone out of its way to work with those involved towards reaching a sustainable outcome.

He said: “Since we were made aware that McClure Naismith was in some difficulty we have endeavoured to co-operate with all parties involved to reach the best solution.”

The move sees the number of partners at Harper Macleod rise to 68.

Last year, Harper Macleod acquired niche private client firm Bird Semple, adding 35 people to its Glasgow operation.