Law firm Gilson Gray expanding Aberdeen presence with latest acquisition

Edinburgh-based law firm Gilson Gray has exchanged contracts on its latest acquisition, which it says expands its offering in Aberdeen, and bills as bucking the trend for firms dialling back their presence in the city.

It has taken over The Law Practice, the latest in a series of recent deals both north and south of the Border that it says has seen it rapidly expand into new geographies and markets, now boasting offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, East Lothian, Dundee, and Lincoln.

The Law Practice’s owner Lesley McKnight and team will join Gilson Gray at its Blenheim Place offices, bringing further private client, property and estate agency expertise. The acquisition will see a new estate agency department added to the firm’s offering in the city and surrounding areas, complementing its property services arm.

The firm being acquired was established in 2005, and Ms McKnight, who specialises in private client services and previously held roles with Ledingham Chalmers and Brodies, took over as its principal solicitor in 2018.

The Law Practice owner Lesley McKnight (centre) with Calum Crighton (left) and Richard Shepherd, who are Gilson Gray partners in the Aberdeen office. Picture: contributed.

Glen Gilson, chair and managing partner of Gilson Gray, said: “The Law Practice is well known in Aberdeen and is a fitting addition to our operation. While many firms have chosen to reduce their footprint in the city, we are committed to servicing the business community and wider client base, with plans for further expansion to come.

“Since launching in 2014 Gilson Gray has built up a reputation for disruption in the legal market and has grown at record rates. We are one of the few independent Scottish firms of scale left in the market, bucking trends with continuous growth and acquisitions.”

Ms McKnight also commented: “It is great to be joining a forward-thinking modern team like Gilson Gray with a culture that supports both the next generation of clients and legal professionals. With access to a wider range of services and experts, we are growing our own professional family to continue looking after our clients and their families. I’m looking forward to this new chapter.”

In terms of previous deals, Gilson Gray’s investment arm last year acquired North Berwick-based Wallace Financial Planning, after in 2021 buying Dunblane firm GCR Financial, with both seven-figure deals, for example.