A LONG-STANDING law firm with branches throughout East Lothian has more than doubled its staff.

Garden Stirling Burnet (GSB), one of the county’s oldest and largest legal firms, has grown its team from 17 in 2022 to more than 40 this year.

As it approaches the second anniversary of its merger with Friends Legal, the firm, which has branches in Dunbar, Haddington, North Berwick and Tranent, has reflected on its success.

Tony O’Malley, GSB managing director, said: “On day one of the merger, we promised to bring an enhanced service and an exciting new chapter for a trusted brand.

“We’re well on our way to doing this and have attracted some top talent through the door to bolster an existing team that had a well-earned reputation in the region.

“The offices are bustling again, which is helping to create a vibrant culture.

“As well as increasing access to qualified solicitors, we have also placed a strong focus on customer service, something that we feel is too often overlooked by the sector.

“As a result, we have introduced dedicated client care colleagues across all aspects of the business, whose remit is purely to ensure customers are kept informed and looked after throughout the process.”

The takeover has resulted in investment across departments, including estate agency, private client and commercial law.

When Friends Legal acquired GSB in September 2022, it said it would retain the Garden Stirling Burnet name, which dates back to 1999.

Mr O’Malley added: “Our growth is not just about numbers; it’s about enhancing our ability to deliver outstanding legal services.

“We are dedicated to maintaining fair pricing while ensuring the highest standards of client care.

“Our expanded team is a crucial part of this commitment, enabling us to handle more cases and provide better support to our clients.”