McClure Naismith

Chairman Alan Thomson highlighted a combination of client retention and attracting new clients, including Mars Real Estate Investment, as key to the firm’s success in 2012’s difficult market.

Litigation again posted a strong performance, contributing 34 per cent of 2011–12’s turnover. The projects and private client teams also proved their worth, together contributing 13 per cent of total revenue.

The firm has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London and makes the most of the lower cost base in Scotland by running several practices, including litigation, out of Glasgow.

McClure Naismith gained two salaried partners in its London office in 2012: restructuring and insolvency partner Mark Parkhouse joined from legacy McGrigors (now Pinsent Masons) and property partner Mark Adams arrived from his own niche practice, which focused on funds and property companies.

However, in 2012 the firm also lost two partners focused on PPP and PFI projects to Scottish rival Harper Macleod and lost IP partners David Gourlay and Euan Duncan, who left to join MacRoberts’ Edinburgh and Glasgow offices respectively.