ANDERSON Strathern has continued to build its private client practice with the hire of a partner from rival firm Balfour & Manson.

David Campbell, who has 25 years of experience advising on wills, trusts, tax planning, succession planning and powers of attorney, has joined the practice shortly after the firm acquired Glasgow-based private client firm Jeffrey Aitken and promoted Catriona Miller to partner.

At the end of last year practice head Colin Henderson said the firm would look to strengthen the practice further, with the uncertainties caused by Brexit and the potential of another Scottish independence referendum leading to an upsurge in activity from high-net-worth clients.

Speaking about Mr Campbell’s appointment, Mr Henderson said: “It is genuinely fantastic to have someone of the calibre of David joining us and bringing not only expertise in the full range of legal services needed by individuals and their families but a demonstrable talent for developing new business while at the same time being a thoroughly likeable and talented individual.”

Managing Partner Murray McCall said the hire was part of the firm’s strategy to achieve “planned and structured growth” through “key lateral hires, boutique acquisitions and ‘best friends’ arrangements”.

In terms of the latter, Anderson Strathern is in advanced talks with English firm Gateley regarding a deal that would see the two firms refer work to each other on a non-exclusive basis.

Gateley, which was the first UK law firm to list on a stock exchange when it was admitted to AIM two years ago, previously had an agreement with the firm that was known as Henderson Boyd Jackson but which traded as HBJ Gateley during their relationship.

HBJ Gateley was taken over by English firm Addleshaw Goddard on June 1, prompting Gateley to search for a new Scottish partner.