National player Bond Dickinson is to expand its Scottish presence with a second office, in Edinburgh. The firm, which already has a presence in Aberdeen, will open an office with around two or three partners and up to 20 staff.
The Edinburgh office will be based in Princes Street in the city, with a particular focus on energy, financial institutions and real estate. Bond Dickinson’s Aberdeen office is focused on oil and gas.
Commenting on the launch, Jonathan Blair, managing partner at Bond Dickinson said: ‘We wanted a second office in Scotland to support our clients and Edinburgh was a natural choice, being at the heart of Scotland’s central belt.
Blair (pictured) added: ‘The firm’s growth strategy includes increasing our presence in both domestic and international markets where the opportunities to do more work for our clients exist. Our approach to growth and investment has always been in response to client demand. Over the past year we have heard from more and more clients that they are keen that we have an Edinburgh presence, so that we are on hand when they need us.’
Last year saw mid-market firm Bond Dickinson secure an exclusive alliance with full-service US firm Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice. The deal means that Womble Carlyle will refer all UK work to Bond Dickinson and vice versa.
In December 2014 Bond Dickinson entered into its first strategic alliance with German firm Redeker Sellner Dahs as part of a growing international strategy.
The firm saw both its turnover and profit per equity partner (PEP) dip by 3% for the financial year 2015/16.
Turnover stands at £104m, down from last year’s figure of £107m, while PEP is £275,000 compared to £284,000 for the financial year 2014/15. The firm said the figures are a result of investment in the business and people in order to be in the best position for long term growth.
kathryn.mccann@legalease.co.uk
