This week, we’re celebrating Thorntons Law LLP, who recently marked 1 year since opening their permanent Inverness office in Kintail House, Beechwood Park! Since then, the team has almost doubled in size – read more below:
Thorntons has been supporting clients across Scotland for more than 150 years. With 12 offices nationwide and over 600 staff, including 77 Partners and 143 solicitors, it is one of Scotland’s largest independent full-service legal firms.
Since opening it’s doors in 2024, the office has almost doubled in size as its portfolio of work has expanded.
Thorntons’ growing client base includes landowners and developers in the renewable energy sector, housebuilders, commercial property businesses, landed estates and farmers, corporates, and private clients requiring support with wills, powers of attorney, and executries.
The firm has also seen a notable rise in immigration enquiries across the Highlands, reflecting Inverness’s increasing popularity among those resettling from Ukraine and US citizens with Scottish heritage.
Meet Paul Adams
Paul Adams, Partner and Head of Thorntons’ Inverness office, leads a team of 21 staff based within the Inverness office. Speaking about the decision to open the Inverness office and the growth of the team ever since, Paul said:
“There was a notable gap both in Inverness and the wider Highland and Islands market for an experienced law firm which can handle a wide variety of complex and largescale legal matters, and we have created a team that can confidently undertake and deliver on this type of work.
“Thorntons is one of the country’s largest and most adept independent law firms, which acts as an accelerator for clients and for Scotland. There are outstanding opportunities for growth in the local area, and after building up a strong presence in the marketplace in our first year, our focus is now on developing our team further and nurturing our network to drive forward progress.
“As locally based advisers, we take great pride in seeing the impact of our work on a daily basis. It’s really rewarding to know the wind turbines we have been involved with are supporting the production of clean energy, or to visit a café which our team has assisted. It’s an incredibly exciting time for the Highlands and the diverse legal services we offer can help the region to thrive.”
Inverness is emerging as one of Scotland’s most economically dynamic cities, with growth across sectors including tourism, hospitality, satellite technology, logistics, and imports. In response, Thorntons has expanded its range of services within the Inverness team to support clients in seizing these emerging opportunities.
With a booming property market in Inverness, the firm recently appointed Emma MacLaren, who has over a decade of experience, to become its first estate agent based in the city. Thorntons is now marketing its first Highlands homes from Inverness.
Also boosting the team is corporate solicitor Scott Kenyon. Scott, who joined Thorntons’ Inverness office in March 2025, specialises in corporate law and advises businesses on a wide range of legal matters, including mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiations, and corporate governance.
A view to the next 12 months
Over the next 12 months, the focus will be on supporting the local community with legal services for business and life and continuing our growth journey. Launching with a team of 13 just over one year ago, our Inverness office now employs 21 people, including three partners and nine solicitors, delivering a full range of legal services ranging from residential property sales to renewable energy advice.
Thorntons’ commitment to the Highlands reflects rising investment in the local economy. With some of the largest projects in Scotland taking place in the region, including the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport which is estimated to attract £3bn in investment, Thorntons has assembled a team of highly experienced, locally based experts to help maximise growing opportunities in the north.
As the firm grows its presence it has also increased its community focus, supporting and engaging with local charities including the Highland Hospice and Mikeysline.
Thorntons is ranked as a top 100 UK law firm by The Lawyer (2024) and reported a 16% increase in gross income for the financial year ending May 31, 2024. The firm was also named Innovative Firm of the Year at the Legal 500 Scotland 2024 Awards, in recognition of our progressive approach to emerging technologies, and we significantly boosted our rankings in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners Guide last year.
Top tips for maximising Chamber Membership
We value the opportunity to meet other businesses and grow our professional network across the region.
Our team regularly attends Chamber events and through that we have built some strong relationships and connections with other Chamber Members.
With recent staff additions and an expanded service offering at our Inverness office, featuring as the Chamber’s Member of the Week is a great opportunity for our team to introduce themselves to fellow Chamber members and explore how we can support businesses across the region.
Our top tip would be to attend as many events as possible. The connections made through networking can lead to lasting and valuable relationships.
