ANDERSON Strathern is in the process of negotiating a merger deal that would see it become the latest law firm to enter the Aberdeen market.

The firm, which currently has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Haddington, bolstered its practice earlier this year with the acquisition of Glasgow-based Jeffrey Aitken and ADLP Solicitors in Edinburgh.

Managing partner Murray McCall said the firm is “actively speaking to a few firms and groups of partners, including a small Scottish legal firm that, should things go to plan, would add more diversity as well as geographic footprint to our offering”.

“This chimes with our collective partnership view that our medium-term future is most probably best served by a standalone strategy of organic growth, lateral hires and bolt-on acquisitions that add value for the firm and our clients,” he said.

The news comes after Shepherd and Wedderburn began rebuilding its Aberdeen presence earlier this year, having initially launched there in the mid-2000s before pulling out in 2011.

Shepherd and Wedderburn added a corporate partner from Pinsent Masons and the former senior partner of shipping practice Mackinnons before bolting on Aberdeen firm Commercial Law Practice at the beginning of December.

In 2012 Dundas & Wilson, which has since been taken over by CMS, opened in Aberdeen while Burness merged with local outfit Paull & Williamsons.