88-08 - 20 Years of Innovation from Leading Scottish Law Firm, Harper Macleod

Leading Scottish commercial law firm, Harper Macleod LLP is celebrating an important milestone in 2008 - its 20th anniversary.  The first Scottish commercial law firm built entirely from scratch in the last 20 years, Harper Macleod enjoys an enviable reputation for its partner-led, innovative and solutions-focused approach to the law. 

Throughout its 20 year life, Harper Macleod's entrepreneurial style has resulted in many industry firsts and accolades:

• Harper Macleod was the first Scottish commercial law firm to establish a practice group structure to support clients.  Its business experts now operate across 23 different disciplines, ranging from agriculture to sport. The firm first established a Sports Practice Group (PG) in 1992, the first Scottish commercial law firm to do so, and this team is now ranked as a leader in sports law by independent authority, the Legal 500 (2007).  The firm is also highly successful in its tender reappointments with many Scottish government departments, reflecting its strength in the public sector.
• In 2006, Harper Macleod won Law Firm of the year at the Law Awards of Scotland and Scottish Legal Awards, one of only 2 firms awarded the title twice in the same year.  In 2007, the firm received the accolades of Commercial Property Team of the Year and CSR Initiative of the Year. 
• Following the firm's management restructuring in 2006, Bank of Scotland voted Harper Macleod's newly appointed Chief Executive, Martin Darroch (notably from outside the legal profession), Young Finance Director of the Year.  This is the first time in the Award's history that an individual from a professional services firm has been recognised in this way. 
• Harper Macleod people are valued thought leaders within Scotland's business community and their opinions actively sought by government in shaping policy.  Chairman, Professor Lorne Crerar was invited by the Scottish Government to investigate the external scrutiny of public services, resulting in the publication of September 2007's "Crerar Review".  Professor Crerar also chaired the committee that recommended introducing a single survey, which will revolutionise and simplify the house-buying and selling process in Scotland and is now incorporated in statute "The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.  He has authored several books and is a recognised authority on banking law.
• Humble beginnings above a Glasgow sandwich shop have evolved to Harper Macleod's current locations in Glasgow's legendary Ca'Doro building, Edinburgh and Inverness, making it the first central belt commercial law firm to expand into the Highlands. 
• In 2007, Harper Macleod was the first Scottish law firm to become "carbon neutral", building on its existing commitment to corporate citizenship and reducing its impact on the environment.  The firm proudly received Bronze status in 2008 for its efforts in promoting "Healthy Working Lives" to its employees across each of its three locations. 

Chairman Professor Lorne Crerar commented, "Our goal is to create a dynamic firm that is a workplace of opportunity for our employees and a compelling, cost-effective business proposition for our clients.  The fact that many of our early clients have remained with our firm for our entire 20 years to be joined by many others is a fitting testament to our people and evidence of our successful, solutions focused, capabilities.  Our 20th anniversary year programme encompasses special sectoral events, charitable fundraising, a new pro bono scheme for voluntary organisations and themed guest lectures at leading educational institutions.  And, whilst we're delighted to be celebrating our first 20 years as one of Scotland's leading commercial law firms, we're already planning and looking forward to the next 20". 

Established in 1988, Harper Macleod has 40 Partners, 115 Fee Earners and a complement of 230 staff.  The firm is renowned for its expertise in Public Sector & Housing, Sports, Recoveries, Corporate, Real Estate, Litigation, Banking and Employment and includes The Scottish Government, The Child Support Agency, The Scottish Premier League, Whitbread, William Hill, BP, Airtricity, Optical Express and Tulloch Limited in its impressive list of clients.