End of an era for 145-year-old family-founded Edinburgh legal firm

Edinburgh legal firm Urquharts is marking the end of an era after 145 years with a family member being present in the practice.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The firm has been operating in the capital since 1876 and the retirement of senior partner Roderick Urquhart will signal the end of its long link to the founding family.

However, the remaining partners have promised there will be no dramatic changes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Stephen Blane, who will take over as the firm’s senior partner, said: “Roderick is the fourth generation of the Urquhart family to be senior partner here and we want to thank him for everything he has done over many years of service. His will be a very well-deserved retirement.

Partners Roddy Urquhart (front centre), and L-R: Gillian Black, Alison Grandison, Stephen Webster, Sara Smith and Stephen Blane. Picture: Ian Georgeson PhotographyPartners Roddy Urquhart (front centre), and L-R: Gillian Black, Alison Grandison, Stephen Webster, Sara Smith and Stephen Blane. Picture: Ian Georgeson Photography
Partners Roddy Urquhart (front centre), and L-R: Gillian Black, Alison Grandison, Stephen Webster, Sara Smith and Stephen Blane. Picture: Ian Georgeson Photography

“For the past 145 years there has been an Urquhart associated with the firm. A number of people have asked us if this is a chance for us to modernise and shake things up.

“There is absolutely no need for that. We are extremely well prepared for Roderick’s departure and the truth is there won’t be any radical changes.

“We will very much continue as we are while keeping an eye on what we can do to improve the already high level of personal service that we offer.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Preparation for Urquhart’s departure is said to have been underway for 18 months, with a key move being the recruitment of another partner, Alison Grandison, last April.

Based in the city’s Heriot Row, the firm has 24 staff, including ten fee earners.

Of the remaining partners, Gillian Black is the longest-serving, having been with Urquharts for more than 20 years.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers. If you haven’t already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription: www.scotsman.com/subscriptions

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.