Inverness-based law firm Munro and Noble sees its Dingwall team more than double the number of local lawyers
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Leading North legal firm Munro and Noble is celebrating more than doubling its Ross-shire presence in just four years.
When it acquired local practice George Street Law four years ago, Munro and Noble had two solicitors working from its new Dingwall office. That figure has now increased to five, offering a range of different specialisms.
The linkup has been a success story with the volume of Ross-shire business more than doubling and nine people now working in the Dingwall base with further admin support being sought.
“We’re generating significantly more business because we have Munro and Noble’s range of expertise to call on,” said Alpin Stewart, who has been practising in the town since 1998.
“In addition, bringing the Munro and Noble Property Shop to Dingwall offers a greatly enhanced service to home sellers as it exposes them to the Inverness market.”
After training in Skye, Mr Stewan started in Dingwall when Ferguson, MacSween and Stewart, in which he was a partner, acquired the client files and papers of the old Dingwall firm of Duncan & Duncan, solicitors.
In 2010 he became managing partner in George Street Law, and following the 2018 merger he became managing partner of the overall Munro and Noble business.
“The nameplate on the Dingwall office front door has changed three times, but I’m still sitting at the same desk,” he smiled.
He often travels west to meet clients in places like Lochcarron, Applecross, Torridon, and Gairloch.
“There is much you can do by email, but firstly people prefer face to face meetings, so they know who they’re dealing with,” Mr Stewart said.
“Ross-shire clients – and we also have a number in Sutherland – much prefer to deal with us rather than travel to Inverness. We can thus offer convenience combined with a much enhanced legal resource.”
Joining Mr Stewart as solicitors working from the Dingwall base are Kathleen Sutherland and Susan Bird (crofting and conveyancing) and Alison Foggo and Katie Wright (wills and executry) while Janice Weir is a conveyancing paralegal.
“We’ve strengthened our team to meet rising demand,” Mr Stewart added. “Since Covid-19, people are more likely to see the need to make a will or power of attorney and to plan for their family’s future.”
Gordon McIntosh, practice manager at Munro and Noble, said:”We’re delighted that our strategy is paying off and the Dingwall business is doing so well. We’ve made significant investment there and are keen to support it going forward.
“The company policy has been to recruit, rather than contract, during the pandemic, which has provided the opportunity to extend the pool of quality talent in Dingwall – with the ability to call on colleagues in the main office in Inverness if needed.
“There are four more jobs in Dingwall than there were in the George Street Law days, and we’re looking to recruit an experienced legal secretary as we continue our growth policy.”
