Legal market sees return of Simpson & Marwick name
Simpson & Mar wick is splitting from global law firm Clyde & Co and relaunching its longstanding name five years after its merger.
The “mutual and amicable” de -merger sees a 26 -strong Simpson& Mar wick team move into dedicated new offices where lawyers will continue to focus on the “buoyant” property markets in Edinburgh and East Lothian.
The firm has one of the best recognised names in the Scottish capital’s residential property market and traces its roots back to 1886.
The residential property division was a niche area of the legal practice when Simpson & Marwick as a whole merged with and changed its name to Clyde & Co in 2015.
Since then the merged firm has focused on the growth of its core specialisms of dispute resolution, professional liability, insurance, commercial property, healthcare and employment law.
Following the break away, Clyde& Co will no longer include residential property as part of its offering in Scotland.
Simpson& Mar wick will become part of the Aberdeins Group, with its founder, Rob Aberdein, joining the Edinburgh operation as managing partner.
Partner Richard Loud on, who steps up to chairman after 41 years with the firm and intends to continue for several more years, said: “We move with the full support of Clyde &Coast he services we offer are not part of their global core areas of expertise.
"The time is right, for both Clyde& Co and ourselves, to de -merge our residential property division.
“I am delighted that we can continue to protect the legacy of the Simpson & Marwick brand established in 1886.
“We will take it forward into a new era, unlike so many well established and respected Edinburgh law firms that have disappeared in recent years.”
As well as Loudon’s continuing leadership, the firm will be spearheaded by the existing team.
Solicitor director Bobby Fife will work with property directors Louisa R aistrick, Katie Macdonald and Di Jennings, who offer decades of combined legal and estate agency experience.
Two high profile lateral hires will be announced shortly, the firm added.
Fife said: “This is an exciting move for our entire team. The new firm will be traditional in terms of a relentless focus on client service, while also making use of cutting- edge technology.”
Simpson & Marwick’s Edinburgh team will be moving to a new office in the city’s west end while its East Lothian office will remain at 88 High Street, North Berwick.
Jennings, who is based at the North Berwick office, added: “Our experienced teams in East Lothian and Edinburgh are enthused by the exciting opportunities this offers to grow the brand and our offerings to clients.”
VikkiMelvil le, managing partner at Clyde& Co Scotland, said :“We thank the residential property team for all their hard work and service to the firm over the years and we wish them all the very best in their new home.
"We are proud that the Simpson& Marwick name will live on .” Clyde & Co operates globally and has 440 partners ,1,800 lawyers, 2,500 legal professionals and 4,000 staff in more than 50 offices.