More industry consolidation: Law firm reveals merger with agency

Legal firm Anderson Strathern has announced a merger with Lerwick-based Neil Risk Solicitor and Estate Agent.

The Shetland firm's practice areas focus on residential property, private clients, commercial property, crofting and other commercial work. 

Anderson Strathern, whose present offices are in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Haddington, has an existing client base in Shetland and across the north of Scotland.  

Established by principal Neil Risk in 1995, his practice has a current headcount of eight. Risk himself becomes a partner at Anderson Strathern and head of the firm’s Shetland office, with plans to expand the team in Lerwick over the next 12 months.

Risk says: ”We've worked well with Anderson Strathern over the last couple of years, including via referrals, and when the opportunity to join the firm came up we were convinced by the strategic rationale for a merger. Anderson Strathern's various practices strengthen our offering to clients in Shetland and across the region, and we are also now actively looking to recruit in Lerwick over the next year."

Murray McCall, Anderson Strathern's managing partner, adds: "There are strategic reasons for expanding our footprint in Scotland. A northern Scottish presence supports our strategic objective to be the independent Scottish law firm of choice. 

“Strengthening links in the north of Scotland, and the island communities in particular, will be much easier with an office and local presence in the region."