MMS History

In the 15 years prior to the appointment of our current CEO, Chris Smylie, we have had just two managing partners, each serving three consecutive terms in the post. That stability of leadership has ensured that the firm has evolved and grown over the period not just in terms of size and turnover, but also in sophistication and commerciality. Since 2000 we have completed four mergers with smaller law firms, acquired two subsidiaries and have moved to new premises in three of our four UK locations - including opening an office for the first time in Aberdeen. All of this has been achieved with minimal fuss and disruption, with each venture smoothly incorporated into the firm's operation. Reassuringly, given all of these new arrivals over the period, in 2009 we were re-awarded Investors in People status, a standard we first achieved and which have retained continuously since 2000.

Our history stretches back much further than that of course. Maclay Murray & Spens was founded in 1871 in Glasgow as the first legal firm in Scotland set up specifically to service the requirements of commercial organisations. We would like to believe that the spirit of innovation inherent in the firm in the late 19th Century has not faded in the intervening years and will stand us in good stead as the firm emerges from the recession under Chris' leadership.