Significant Expansion at Gilson Gray following Groundbreaking First Year

Gilson Gray , Scotland’s fastest growing new law firm, has built on a record first year by swooping to recruit a raft of big hitters from the Commercial Dispute Resolution Team at Morisons Solicitors LLP.

At a time when the Scottish legal sector market is being defined by cutbacks and mergers, Gilson Gray is bucking trends by expanding its talent and resources following a first year that exceeded even its most ambitious expectations.

`In 2014, Gilson Gray opened as the largest full service law firm launch in Scottish legal history, with a portfolio of talent poached from the leading firms in Scotland – opening simultaneously in Glasgow and Edinburgh with a radical client-focus strategy that offers a cost effective alternative to the top ten firms in the country.

Gilson Gray – who picked up a series of top awards in the last 12 months – is now heralding the acquisition of the Head of Litigation at Morisons Solicitors LLP, together with their entire Commercial Dispute Resolution Team, and also a key figure for their Insolvency team, as evidence of the firm’s determination to maintain its growth plans.

Managing Partner Glen Gilson, said: “We are extremely proud what we have achieved in our first year of trading and sincerely thank the Scottish business community for their ongoing support.

“The appointment coups to our Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Insolvency Teams position us as one of the most compelling and experienced dispute resolution groups in Scotland. It means we have award-winning experts covering multiple disciplines, including commercial and private client litigation, arbitration, international arbitration, adjudication, insolvency, Solicitor Advocacy, mediation and other forms of dispute resolution.”

Joining Gilson Gray, is Alex Garioch formerly Head of Litigation at Morisons. Alex, who brings with him Morisons’ entire Commercial Dispute Resolution Team, is an a Solicitor Advocate with substantial experience, who specialises in contentious construction disputes as well as Commercial Dispute Resolution. Over the past decade, he and his team have been involved in numerous high profile Court actions with a high degree of success.

Another distinguished name to join the firm is Rosie Walker, Partner, who does so just days after acting for Alistair Carmichael MP in Scotland’s first Election Trial for 50 years, making Scottish legal history when broadcast live across the UK in a British television first.

Alex Garioch said: “I am excited about the prospect of becoming part of Gilson Gray, given their impressive dynamism and approach to client service. In my mind there is no doubt that Gilson Gray is quickly establishing itself as one of Scotland’s leading full service law firms, such is their skill base and ethos.

“My team has always taken great pride in the quality of our representation of client interests, and, within Gilson Gray, there is clearly the same approach. It seems to me the Gilson Gray story will be one of success and I am proud to be part of it.”

On joining Gilson Gray as a Partner, Rosie Walker said: “I am thrilled about bringing my clients and our team to Gilson Gray. The partners have impressed me enormously with their enthusiasm and commitment to outstanding customer service and to achieving great results. I am very much looking forward to working with the existing wider team at Gilson Gray, which already has incredible strength and depth.”

Iain K Clark, Solicitor Advocate, Partner and Head of Litigation & Dispute Resolution at Gilson Gray, said: “We are delighted to attract top lawyers such as Rosie and Alex to our expanding Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team.

“Their breadth and depth of experience compliments the services we provide to our existing clients and affords us the opportunity to become the ‘go to’ team in Scotland for complex litigation and dispute resolution.”

Keith Anderson also joins Gilson Gray from Morisons, as an Associate in the Insolvency Team. Keith has had a number of high profile instructions in recent history including being lead solicitor to BDO prior to, and during, the successful 12 month administration of Heart of Midlothian football club. He was also in-house legal counsel (on secondment) for Rangers Football.

Keith Anderson said: “I firmly believe Gilson Gray have some of the very best and most passionate people in law. I look forward to working with existing contacts and growing the client base and sectors with whom I am currently working.”

Steven Jansch, Solicitor Advocate, Partner and Head of Insolvency at Gilson Gray, said:

“The additions to the team help us build on the solid progress already made at Gilson Gray. We have an exciting opportunity to continue on that development path. We are committed to offering leading insolvency services and Keith’s appointment reflects that.”

In its first year, Gilson Gray has firmly established itself in virtually every field of Law while the Gilson Gray Property Services side of the business, led by the renowned Matthew Gray, has secured an expert team and is developing a strong industry reputation.

Glen Gilson said the firm’s impressive first year financial results, during which the firm posted seven figure profits, and its many award wins, are a positive endorsement of its client-focussed business strategy, which is firmly directed on changing perceptions on how legal services should be delivered.

He added: “We provide a transparently and persuasively priced service. We also only employ partners and staff that know how to engage properly with clients to make the service exceptional and wherever possible enjoyable. We wish to break from the perception that lawyers are detached and unapproachable.

“We hope to announce further senior appointments over the next few weeks, and continue to encourage the very best of Scottish talent to join us.