A new legal firm launched this month in Edinburgh and Glasgow is already making history after recruiting some of the biggest names in the sector to help change the way the industry operates.
Gilson Gray is thought to be the largest new full-service practice to open in Scotland in more than 100 years.
With new offices in Rutland Square and West George Street, it has attracted a significant team of market-leading specialists from across the Scottish legal, property and financial sectors to front the business.
The senior figures are Glen Gilson – dubbed one of Scotland’s leading private client lawyers and previously part of the senior management team at HBJ Gateley – and Matthew Gray, former head of Property and Legal Services and member of the management board at Pagan Osborne.
Gilson Gray’s launch follows nearly a year of planning and negotiation, which has seen the firm hire an expert team of nine solicitor partners and four other senior executives to lead and develop the business’s legal, property and financial services divisions.
Gilson said: “It’s the first time in Scotland a new firm of this size and capability has been launched, bringing together a team of skilled partners already established at the top of their respective fields.
“We understand that clients want their lawyers and advisors to be have a ‘can do’ approach as informed specialists in their field. We also believe that our clients deserve straight talking, friendly advisors that understand and care about their objectives.
“We will provide the same full service technical expertise as any of the largest law firms in Scotland. We believe, however, that we can offer a more cost effective solution.”
Gray added: “We are delighted to have assembled such an impressive team for our launch, and to have already secured a high level of support from the Scottish business community.
“We believe discerning corporate, commercial and private clients are keen to see a major new full service firm enter the market, offering high quality legal, financial and property services which are neither impersonal nor impenetrable.
“Our partner-led teams include accredited specialists and award winning individuals, committed to providing an excellent client experience. We strive to be reliable, honest, strong and approachable.”