Blackadders achieves Glasgow base with Boyle Shaughnessy merger

Tayside based legal firm Blackadders is to establish a Glasgow base with the acquisition of local practice Boyle Shaughnessy.

The merger, with effect from 1 April 2016, will give Blackadders a presence in the four main Scottish cities as well as Perth, Arbroath and Forfar. The combined practice will have 25 partners and more than 250 staff and will trade under the Blackadders banner.

Boyle Shaughnessy has particular expertise in the fields of private client, commercial and residential property. The enlarged firm will offer a full service capability for business and private clients.

Paul Devine and Colin McCulloch, directors at Boyle Shaughnessy, will become partners with Blackadders.

Johnston Clark, Blackadders' managing partner, commented: “We are delighted to be strengthening Blackadders by joining forces with Boyle Shaughnessy, a well-known and respected law firm in Glasgow. This will give the firm a strong presence in the major centres of Scotland, offering a full range of services from our Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Perth and Glasgow offices. Our growth into a national firm will create increased strength and depth of client service.”

Mr Clark said the merger with Boyle Shaughnessy was motivated by a desire to establish a Blackadders office in the west coast of Scotland to service its existing client base and to develop new business within the region.

Mr Devine added that there was a "clear fit" between the firms. "The merger allows us to provide a wider range of services to our existing and future clients, who we would normally have to refer on to others if we did not have the relevant expertise in-house. Joining with Blackadders gives us the ability to provide our clients with the complete legal service.”

Blackadders recently acquired the Edinburgh practice of Colin Blaikie and the long-established Perth firm Condies.