Morton Fraser finds merger partner in Glasgow's Macdonalds

The news comes six months after Morton Fraser’s chief executive Duncan Murray told The Lawyer that mergers would be key to achieving the firm’s ambition to build a UK-wide practice.

The merger is set to go live in the first quarter of 2013, with the combined firm operating under the Morton Fraser brand. The addition of Macdonalds gifts Morton Fraser 18 lawyers across offices in Glasgow and East Kilbride. Following the merger, Morton Fraser will have 13 partners in Glasgow.

Macdonalds lists its key clients as being in the house building, life assurance, pensions and charities sectors. It also advises banks and finance houses on debt recovery and litigation.

Morton Fraser is a full service firm with offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. The firm’s turnover was £14.3m in 2011/12, down from £14.6m in 2010/11 (7 June 2012).

In a statement, Murray said: “Macdonalds’ practice enables us to both complement and expand our presence in Glasgow and the Macdonalds reputation and ethos makes this an attractive cultural fit.

“Both firms are excited by the move, which will see the combined firm ideally placed to provide our client base with increased specialist expertise. The merger is in line with our long-term strategic objective to build our presence in Glasgow and we’ve already received very positive client feedback.”