Thorntons strengthens its Edinburgh team with new senior appointments

Highly experienced lawyers Gordon Cairns and Christian Melville have joined the Thorntons team in the capital as partners. These appointments increase the Edinburgh partner count to seven.

They are joined by Graeme Wilson, who joins as area property manager in the Melville Street office.

The appointments signal a major expansion of Thorntons’ Edinburgh operation, with the firm adding dedicated residential property, estate agency and private client teams to it’s offering in the capital.

Mr Cairns began his career in 1979 and was most recently a partner with Gillespie Macandrew. He is a general practitioner with particular expertise in the sale and purchase of residential property, preparation of wills and powers of attorney and issues relating to elderly clients.

He is also a tutor in conveyancing on the Edinburgh University Diploma in Legal Practice course, a part time tribunal judge and a former Law Society reporter.

Tax and estate planning specialist Christian Melville brings a broad range of expertise in matters such as succession issues, capital tax mitigation, trust law, charity law, and asset protection to the private client team in Edinburgh.

He has more than 20 years’ experience in advising private and public clients on the creation, administration and winding up of trusts and charities.

Mr Wilson brings a wealth of experience to Thorntons, having worked as a property valuer since 2011. Previously, he held positions with McEwan Fraser Legal and McQueen Legal.

Thorntons joint managing partner, Scott Milne, said: “Bringing the accumulated experience of these three highly respected individuals to our Edinburgh office is a real statement of intent for Thorntons.

“The appointment of Gordon and Christian will enhance the range of services we can offer private clients. Graeme is our first estate agency appointment in Edinburgh. For the last few years, our plan has been to extend our successful estate agency business into Edinburgh. We are aware it is a competitive market place but are confident our model will prove attractive to sellers in and around the capital.”

Clare Macpherson, Edinburgh partner, said: “The entire Edinburgh team is excited about these appointments, and we are sure that all three can look forward to helping us all drive forward the firm.”

The firm recently announced a merger with Kirckaldy firm, Clarkson Hamilton on 1 June.