Legal PR experts help tell dynamic young law firm’s acquisition story

THE PSM Law Group, one of Scotland’s most dynamic legal firms, has secured a major coup by recruiting to its ranks the former senior partner of one of the country’s best-known legal and estate agency firms, Warners.

Brian Warner, along with his wife, Jean, founded Warners in the 1970s and the company still carries his name. Along with Hunters-PSM – the property arm of PSM Law Group, which has major interests in both Edinburgh and Fife – Warners is considered one of the “Big Six” solicitor-estate agents firms in Edinburgh.

Mr Warner, who has joined the company as a Partner, acknowledged that moving to another firm at this stage in his career might surprise some in the profession.

He said: “I am proud of what I have achieved during my career with Warners and proud of the reputation that it now enjoys.  Many people may have expected me to enjoy the fruits of my labour by slipping quietly into retirement, but I am not ready to retire yet.

“There is obviously a certain amount of sadness in walking away from the company which has my name above the door, but I am looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead.”

Although established only 12 years ago, the PSM Law Group is enjoying rapid growth, due in the main to its philosophy of building a dynamic legal practice combining the best of traditional values with modern business solutions.  The company recently underwent a major reorganisation to focus on the development of its four main divisions and Mr Warner will be involved in all areas.

They include Hunters-PSM, one of the most successful property and estate agency businesses in Edinburgh and Fife, and PSM On-Line, which provides fast and efficient volume conveyancing services in the booming re-mortgages market, acting for many of the UK’s leading lenders.

The two other divisions are PSM Legal, handling residential conveyancing, including the contract for the Scottish Executive’s Mortgage to Rent scheme and PSM Wills, which provides a complete executry service, including a unique on-line wills service.

Since it was founded in 1990 the PSM Law Group has developed rapidly, winning plaudits from customers as well as a string of industry awards. An important key to the company’s continued success has been its attention to customer service and a willingness to embrace modern technology.

But Mr Warner’s knowledge and expertise will be most keenly felt with Hunters-PSM, where he will join forces with fellow partner Wilson Hunter, another stalwart of Edinburgh’s property and legal scene, who ran his own property company – Hunter’s – before joining the PSM Law Group earlier this year.

Both men were instrumental in setting up the Edinburgh and Lothians Property Guide last year, a full-colour, weekly guide for the capital and surrounding areas. It is a vehicle for properties being sold by the six biggest solicitor property firms in Edinburgh and has proved a huge success with househunters.

Mike Maloco, partner and co-founder of PSM, which now employs 65 people, said the entire team were delighted with the appointment of Brian Warner.

He added: “We try to emphasise quality in everything we do and to put in place quality people throughout the business – so to attract someone of Brain’s calibre is extremely gratifying.

“We have worked incredibly hard for the success we are building here. This is a young, dynamic company and attracting people like Brian, with his unrivalled knowledge and contacts, makes sure we also have a superb blend of experience to offer to all our clients.

“The property sector is very buoyant at the moment, most notably in Edinburgh and that is having a rippling-out effect across Fife and the Lothians. We are now uniquely positioned on both sides of the Forth Bridge to take advantage of that.

“Brian reinforces the strength-in-depth of the PSM Law Group, which is essential to our continued growth and success.”

Attracting Mr Warner to join them is also the latest in a long line of impressive achievements for the PSM Law group, which collected four awards last year, including Best Small Company at The National Business Awards 2002. It has also been re-accredited with the coveted Investors In People status.

Last month the firm also completed a major refurbishment of its hi-tech head office at High Street, Dunfermline. It also has modern property shops at 6 Bonnar Street in the town and at 76-80 Morningside Road in Edinburgh.

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