Gilson Gray continues expansion with acquisition of Edinburgh firm MHD Law

Full-service legal firm Gilson Gray has further strengthened its position in Edinburgh with the acquisition of MHD Law. 

The deal represents the group’s second takeover deal of 2024. MHD has a 100-year history and, over that time, has established a strong local reputation for delivering legal services across property, estate agency and conveyancing; private client services; and family law, including associated court work. 

A team of 17, including Kieran Fitzpatrick, Chris Benson and Raymond Fairgrieve, will now join Gilson Gray’s Edinburgh office.

The deal will see MHD’s clients gain access to the full spectrum of legal, property and financial services offered by Gilson Gray across the UK, including corporate and family business support, litigation, debt recovery, lettings, as well as the expertise provided by its financial services arm, Gilson Gray Financial Management.

Last month, the firm boosted its footprint in Dundee and Angus with the takeover of Bowmans Solicitors and added a further 11 staff to its team in the Tayside area. With offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, East Lothian, Aberdeen, Lincoln, and Forfar, Gilson Gray is one of the fastest-growing law firms in the UK.

Glen Gilson, Chair and Managing Partner of Gilson Gray, said: “MHD is a firm of rich tradition and a long-established feature of the Scottish legal market. We are honoured to welcome the MHD team and their loyal client base to Gilson Gray. The takeover is aligned to our ambitions for growth during 2024, as we look to consolidate and capitalise upon the multi-regional expansion of recent years.”

Kieran Fitzpatrick, Partner at MHD, added: “Joining forces with Gilson Gray marks the start of an exciting new chapter for MHD and our clients. For them, the only thing that will change is the ability to access new legal services under the same roof. 

The working practices, culture and attitude of the staff and leadership at Gilson Gray are well aligned with the business we have built at MHD and we see it as a perfect opportunity. The firm has achieved significant growth but still retains the welcoming, personal, client-first values.”