Blackadders acquire Angus firm

Tayside firm's acquisition of Gourley McBain will swell staff numbers to 235

News, 27 March 2008

Tayside law firm Blackadders has acquired the business of Angus solicitors Gourley McBain, who practise from Arbroath and Carnoustie, with effect from 1 May.

Gourley McBain, have a large and loyal client base, served by partners Alex Small, Walter Ruark and Norman Erskine.

Blackadders managing partner Johnston Clark said: “We are delighted to acquire Gourley McBain’s good quality practice and look forward to further developing our business in Angus. We will be able to offer additional specialist services to clients and are looking forward to developing those relationships.”

Blackadders partner Phil Scott will head the Arbroath office, where Gourley McBain senior partner Alex Small will continue to be associated with the firm as a consultant. Of the two other partners, Walter Ruark, who is based in Carnoustie, is retiring and Norman Erskine will continue as a consultant to Blackadders from the Carnoustie office.

Mr Small said: “As the Gourley McBain partners reached retirement age, we realised that the best way to ensure that our clients' interests were best looked after, as well as those of our staff, was to seek a deal with a larger firm, who could meet the future complex demands of clients locally. We are very happy that Blackadders, with whom we have always enjoyed a good professional relationship, will continue our tradition of personal service, delivered locally."

Post-merger, the partners and staff of the enlarged Blackadders will total approximately 235 people.