Macdonald Henderson

Macdonald Henderson is an award-winning boutique challenger to Scotland’s largest commercial law firms, dedicated to serving Scotland’s SME owner-managers, entrepreneurs and family businesses.

Over 35 years since its formation, the firm has boldly asserted itself as one of the top performers of Scotland’s professional advisor community and is known for being energetic, savvy, capable and friendly in its approach.

It is regularly instructed on mergers and acquisitions, investments and management buyouts, both domestically and internationally.

Shortlisting in 2023

One of two corporate law firms shortlisted for “Corporate Team of the Year” at The Herald Law Awards of Scotland 2023 alongside MBM Commercial.

Double shortlisting in 2021

In 2021, Macdonald Henderson was shortlisted in two leading Scottish corporate awards along with major corporate law firms in the sector:

One of three corporate law firms shortlisted for “Legal Advisor of the Year” at the Scottish Business Insider Deals & Dealmakers Awards 2021 alongside Addleshaws Goddard and Burness Paull; and

One of three corporate law firms shortlisted for “Transactions Team of the Year” at The Herald Law Awards of Scotland 2021 alongside Shepherd & Wedderburn and MBM Commercial.

The Times Best Law Firms

In 2021, Macdonald Henderson’s award-winning team was recognised for the first time in The Times Best Law Firms.

The MH team is one of only eight Scottish firms to be featured for its work in mergers and acquisitions, alongside global/UK regional giants and large Scottish heavyweights.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/best-law-firms-2021-9kh6q236r

Corporate: The firm’s corporate team advised on over 45 disclosable deals in the financial year 2022/23 (a doubling of deal activity on the previous year) (including unreported deals), ranking us as one of the most deal active corporate teams in Scotland.

In its guide for 2024, The Legal 500 again ranked the corporate team among the top tier Scottish corporate law firms, commenting:

‘Practical, to-the-point advice without burdening the client with the legal minutiae’.

‘Really strong team that care about their clients, very solution-driven’.

‘They have experience in dealing with small clients, from start-ups or university spin outs through to larger organisations on the SME spectrum’.

‘Key strengths are responsiveness and attention to detail’.

‘Commercial and efficient- a combination of broad experience and strong legal knowledge’.

‘Exceptional’.

Property: Our property team is one of the busiest commercial teams in the market providing a comprehensive range of commercial property services to a national and regional client base drawn from both the private and public sectors.  We provide advice across all areas of commercial property for landlords, occupiers and developers.

Commercial and intellectual property: Recognised as respected advisors in the field of commercial law, we advise in all areas from drafting contracts to protecting intellectual property.

Dispute resolution and corporate recovery: Our team advises on all aspects of commercial dispute resolution and is highly active in delivering insolvency and restructuring advice to both companies and insolvency professionals.

Employment: Our team provides a highly proactive client service and is experienced in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law and employee option schemes and benefits.

Private client: Our private client team advises on all aspects of residential conveyancing, wills and executory work on behalf of our individual clients.