Bidding farewell as 'Mr Thorntons' sails into retirement after 41 years of dedicated service

He joined a firm which over his remarkable tenure blossomed into one of Scotland's largest.

Now Colin Graham, dubbed 'Mr Thorntons' by his colleagues at the full-service firm, is stepping down after a 41-year career which has included a stint as chair.

Graham, now 64, joined the Dundee-headquartered business back in 1984 (they were Thornton, Dickie and Brand at the time, then Thornton Oliver) and was appointed partner just four years later at the age of 27.

From 2016, Graham served as the firm’s chair and figurehead and during his four decades he watched Thorntons grow to one of the country’s largest legal practices with more than 600 colleagues and partners.

Colin is rightly regarded as being ‘Mr Thorntons’ and has played a vital role in leading the firm with a rare combination of business insight, integrity and compassion for our people.

His tenure as chair was Thorntons' longest period of sustained growth.

Praised for his “tremendous leadership and for his insistence on adherence to the highest professional […] standards”, he has been committed to a smooth transition as he retires and spent his final stretch as a senior partner, described as a “key leadership position” and ambassadorial role.

But his connection to Thorntons will endure — even following retirement as a partner, Graham will act as a consultant to the business. 

Reflecting on his career, Graham said: “It has been the privilege of my professional life to have helped my colleagues to realise our common goal of seeing Thorntons expand from its traditional North East market to becoming a truly nationwide firm, with 15 offices throughout Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth.” 

Graham, who is one of the best-known business figures in Tayside, specialised in conveyancing law and is recognised as one of the country’s leading experts in the field, presenting for the Law Society of Scotland and other organisations on complex cases, and helping inform changes in the law.

He added: “I am enormously grateful for the many messages of support I have received from partners, colleagues, clients and friends. I have always sought to ensure that Thorntons focused on doing the right thing for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

“I am proud that, as we have undergone significant growth, particularly over the past five years, we have preserved the direct, personal client approach for which the firm has been known for decades and looked after our colleagues. That culture is what sets us apart.”

The firm’s managing partner Lesley Larg said: “Colin is rightly regarded as being ‘Mr Thorntons’ and has played a vital role in leading the firm with a rare combination of business insight, integrity and compassion for our people.

“He is enormously well-respected for his tremendous leadership and for his insistence on adherence to the highest professional and personal standards at all times. It is no coincidence that his eight years as chair saw the longest and most sustained period of growth in the firm’s history.

“The impact he has made on our business will never be repeated, and I know I speak for many, many members of the Thorntons team when I say that he has been a uniquely positive influence on my own career. We are all looking forward to his ongoing, valuable contribution in his important new role.”

As well as his decades-long leadership position within Thorntons, Mr Graham also served as chair of RSPCC Dundee, treasurer of the Ninewells Cancer Research Appeal, captain of Dundee High School FP Rugby Club and as chair of NHS Tayside Primary Care Disciplinary Panel.