Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) is further expanding in Scotland and consolidating and strengthening its East Coast practice by merging with CCW Business Lawyers.
The merged firm, which comes into being on 3 December, will be known as Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP. This latest merger marks the next stage in it’s a strategic growth plan and comes as the firm enters its 165th year in 2019.
The firm’s growth phase began in in 2015 following the acquisition of a number of senior appointments from McClure Naismith in Glasgow; in 2016 WJM merged with MacArthur & Co in Inverness; and in 2017 a further merger with BMK Wilson in Glasgow & Dunblane and the acquisition of the clients of Robertson & Co in Kingussie followed.
The merger adds strength and quality to WJM’s existing offering – in particular in Commercial Property and Corporate – and it further strengthens the firm’s national footprint allowing them to better serve the needs of the wider Scottish business and private client communities.
Four Partners and eight employees from CCW’s Edinburgh and Dunfermline offices will be joining WJM. Following recent partner promotions the merger will take WJM to 31 partners and 60 fee earners.
WJM’s Managing Partner Fraser Gillies says “We have a very clear vision for WJM as a leading independent Scottish firm offering unrivalled client service to the parts of the Scottish marketplace we’ve focussed on.
“From our very first discussion with CCW it was clear we share similar values including an entrepreneurial outlook, a commitment to excellence in all that we do and the view that long-term, deep client relationships are key to a successful and sustainable practice. There were also clear synergies in our client bases amongst the SME, owner managed and family business sectors. Both our firms share a substantial heritage combined with a modern outlook on the delivery of legal services”.
CCW’s Managing Partner John Clarke says “Merging with WJM is the perfect solution for CCW’s clients, staff and partners. Not only does it ensure continuity for at least the next 15 years (CCW having just had its’ 15th birthday) but, through our new colleagues in WJM we will be able to offer CCW’s existing clients an extended range of services.”
Gillies adds, “The merger with CCW consolidates our existing Edinburgh practice, gives us a presence in Dunfermline, and gives us a fantastic platform for continued growth. We’re delighted to welcome John, Stephen, Alison and Michael and their teams in to WJM.”