This week, we’re handing over the blog to Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP as Member of the Week! With 165 years in business and 150 employees, we’ll be celebrating their exciting recent developments and plans for the future.
Read below to find out more about WJM’s beginnings, their people, and their plans for Member of the Week.
165 years of client driven service
Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP is a full-service, independent Scottish law firm, with a history spanning over 165 years.
Operating from a network of offices across Scotland, WJM boasts a wide range of expertise, including private client, family business, commercial property, conflict resolution, construction, contracts and tax.
With an impressive client base throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK, WJM is well placed to offer joined up and pragmatic advice, whatever your industry. Our firm’s sector knowledge is wide-ranging, with outstanding individuals in the firm recognised as specialists in their field.
WJM – which has a network of five Scottish offices – is also part of the world’s largest network of independent legal and multi-disciplinary firms – GGI Global Alliance – meaning we can also assist clients on any business they conduct outside of Scotland.
We opened our Inverness office in 2011 and the last decade has been one of the most significant periods in our firm’s history, with a series of mergers and acquisitions, including three in Inverness – a merger with MacArthur & Co in 2016, the acquisition of Calum I Duncan Corporate Lawyers in 2019, and the recent merger with Macandrew & Jenkins WS.
Further cementing our commitment to growth, we also recently announced the proposed investment in WJM by a leading legal and financial services firm Irwin Mitchell. WJM currently employs 150 people including 33 partners, with ambitious plans for further expansion across Scotland.
Meet Angus Macleod, Partner and Head of Inverness Office:
I grew up in Inverness and after a period working in Glasgow came home in 2011 to open our office here. I’m a corporate lawyer by trade, and my role includes leading our business in the Highlands & Islands and looking after our clients across the region. I’m a fluent Gaelic speaker and for the last 6 years have chaired the board at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the national centre for Gaelic language and culture in Skye.
Putting People First
We’ve adopted more mobile technology allowing our lawyers and support staff to work more flexibly from office or home, which has supported our business model throughout the pandemic and beyond.
This allows our team members to work seamlessly from anywhere, ensuring uninterrupted communication and productivity. Additionally, we’ve optimised our systems to be mobile-friendly, enabling us to serve our clients efficiently, whether in the office or on the go. This shift not only enhances our operational resilience but also aligns with the evolving needs of our clients in an increasingly mobile-centric world.
In order to enhance the wellbeing of our team members following a challenging few years, we also launched an internal Wellbeing Group which meets regularly to discuss initiatives aimed at creating a happier and healthier work environment at WJM.
Member of the Week plans
We are delighted to showcase a number of recent milestones within our firm. By featuring as Member of the Week, we hope to share our journey of growth, while emphasising our dedication to serving clients not only in the Highlands but also across Scotland, England, and Wales and via our international networks.
It is with great faith that we will continue to expand our offerings and services to a diverse range of clients in a variety of sectors in the years to come.