LAW firm Thorntons has continued its growth push by sealing another merger deal with a smaller practice.
This time it is joining with Montrose-based Watts Law, which has been around for 36 years, with the deal formally going through on July 1.
Last year Thorntons, which has its headquarters in Dundee, agreed merger deals with Cupar's Steel Eldridge Stewart and Murray Donald in Fife.
The latest expansion adds to its operations in Angus where Thorntons already has offices in Forfar and Arbroath.
Anne McKeown, partner with Thorntons in Angus said: "The merger will allow us to provide further specialist services, such as employment law, agricultural and immigration advice for our business clients. This will provide local businesses with a one-stop service for all their legal requirements. For our personal clients the merger will give access to Thorntons wide estate agency network plus specialist financial and future planning expertise."
The Watts partners, Hamish Watt and Aileen Hunter, will become consultants for Thorntons while the other solicitor and four support staff are to remain in their posts.
Mr Watt said: "Bringing Watts and Thorntons together will greatly strengthen both firm's existing offerings, enhancing our resources to provide the highest quality services to our clients across Angus. The support network Thorntons can offer will allow the Montrose team to entirely focus on our clients and their specific needs."
In January Thorntons said it had seen a 13 per cent rise in turnover to £16.3m in the year to May 31, 2014. Profits before remuneration of members went from £2.66m to £3.98m. The firm forecast the addition of Steel Eldridge Stewart and Murray Donald would help it to get closer to £20m in turnover.
Thorntons has more than 40 partners and 400 staff.
Jack Robertson, Thorntons' chairman, added: "Whilst Thorntons will become one of Scotland's largest full service firms, our eye is very much on delivering an accessible, local, yet specialist service. Thorntons, and Watts, are fortunate enough to have a loyal client base who trust us to deliver an honest, straight forward and cost-effective service. That will remain our priority."
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