ONE of East Lothian’s oldest legal firms is expanding into Edinburgh.

Garden Stirling Burnet (GSB) already has offices in Dunbar, Haddington, North Berwick and Tranent.

Now, the company will have an office branch at Pure offices at the Bonnington Bond building in Leith.

As part of the move, the firm has recruited an estate agent and two conveyancers, and is in the market to add to its property experts around Edinburgh and bolster its footing in an established sector.

Tony O’Malley, managing director, felt that the move was the next logical step after the firm won a major conveyancing contract and doubled its headcount across its four locations in East Lothian.

He said: “This is a competitive market, but it’s one that we feel can benefit from a more personable, cost-effective and results-driven service.

“After a concentrated effort of reinforcing our offering in East Lothian, we feel now is the time to expand our presence in Edinburgh.

“Our new office will primarily focus on property, with a distinct emphasis in the east of the city.”

In September 2022, Friends Legal acquired Garden Stirling Burnet, while pledging to retain the name, which dates back to 1999.

Since then, strategic investments have focused on expanding the team and enhancing the firm's infrastructure.

It has resulted in Garden Stirling Burnet growing its team from 17 in 2022 to over 40 this year, with fee earners increasing in number from five to 18.