Law firm Aberdein Considine has further extended its reach in the central belt with its takeover of a Glasgow-based practice.
The acquisition of solicitor estate agent A&S Ireland adds two branches to Aberdein Considine’s network, giving the firm more offices in Glasgow than its home city of Aberdeen.
From next month A&S Ireland offices in Newton Mearns and on Byres Road in Glasgow’s the West end will be rebranded as Aberdein Considine.
A&S Ireland’s legal office on Waterloo Street will become the firm’s new headquarters in the city, hosting its dispute resolution and employment law teams, as well as the firm’s national corporate real estate department led by Partner Paul Jennings.
All 20 jobs at A&S Ireland are being retained and A&S Ireland’s partners, Gavin Crowe and Bryden Crearie, will both become partners in Aberdein Considine when the transaction concludes on May 27.
The deal follows the partnership’s acquisition of Stirling firm Muirhead Buchanan in 2014 and is Aberdein Considine’s eighth central belt expansion in just five years.
The combined businesses will together employ 360 staff and have a total turnover of more than £21million.
Jacqueline Law, managing partner of Aberdein Considine, said: “A&S Ireland already has an established professional reputation in Glasgow and bring to the table a loyal client following, market knowledge and between the partners over 60 years of experience.
“While we have traditionally expanded through organic growth, our recent merger with Muirhead Buchanan in Stirling showed the value of bringing an established local brand with experienced lawyers into our business.
“As well as property and private client services, we will now be able to offer A&S Ireland clients the full range of legal specialisms and financial services. In the Glasgow market, this is a unique proposition.”
Mr Crowe said: “Since we started trading in 1985, A&S Ireland has always aimed to offer the best possible personal service to clients. We are amongst a very limited number of lawyers who offer estate agency services in Glasgow on a level with the national agents.
“The merger with Aberdein Considine allows us to offer a greater range of services including property leasing and financial services to our clients. It also provides to our clients national coverage.”
Aberdein Considine offers property, legal and financial services to private and commercial clients across Scotland.
Its clients include banking giants RBS, Barclays, Lloyds Group and Santander, as well high street retailers including Greggs and Rox. The firm has also recently secured its first public sector legal work with NHS Grampian and the Scottish Legal Aid Board.