Headcount across its five offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Elgin and Lerwick also increased to 466 from 446 in the previous year, a 43% rise since 2014, as the firm saw more demand for its services. In the last two years, it has recruited 38 trainee lawyers making it in one of the largest recruiters of legal graduates in Scotland.

The increase in turnover and headcount was consistent across all the firm’s specialisms and teams within its network, with increased demand across all service lines providing advice to individuals, businesses, public and third sector clients.

Highlights for the year include being appointed to the Glasgow City Council legal services framework which complements last year’s similar appointments to the City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Government legal services frameworks. It is the only law firm in Scotland to be appointed to all six lots on all three of the largest legal services frameworks in the country. It also means Harper Macleod provides legal advice to central government and 28 out of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

The firm was also reappointed for a further two years to provide legal advice to Forestry and Land Scotland, the executive agency responsible for managing Scotland’s national forests and land. The relationship with FLS stretches back to 2008.

With a focus purely on Scotland, Harper Macleod is now the largest full service commercial law firm not to be registered to practise in England and Wales and only the ninth firm in the Scottish legal industry to break the £40m turnover milestone. It is also the largest solely Scottish law firm to be headquartered in Glasgow.

The firm attributes much of its success and growth to the consistency of leadership. Chairman Professor Lorne Crerar CBE FRSE established Harper Macleod in 1988. Chief executive Martin Darroch joined in 2002 as finance director before being appointed to his current role in 2006.

Mr Darroch said: “The last year has been one of growth, investment and achievement, and the results speak for themselves. The upward trend we’ve been on for the last 35 years, and we’re still relatively young in a very mature market, shows we’re committed to fulfilling our promise to be the standout legal advisor in Scotland.

“The Scottish legal market has evolved significantly in the last decade and won’t stand still. We’re continuing to invest in areas such as new technology and expertise to ensure we meet the changing requirements of our clients and our people.

“We’re established as an employer of choice for those looking to have long and fulfilling legal careers, or important areas such as professional development, and information technology and security. We are extremely proud to be a place of opportunity for all.”

In February, Harper Macleod was named Scottish Firm of the Year at the inaugural Chambers UK Awards. The award is based on rigorous client and peer group research. In making the award, it was said about Harper Macleod that “Clients praise its clear and practical advice and its ability to explain complicated legal concepts in simple terms.”

Professor Crerar said: “We’re entering a new phase, underpinned by a strong financial foundation, and confidence in our abilities to deliver.

“We are bigger than we have ever been, providing acknowledged outstanding legal advice via multiple service lines across Scotland. We are optimistic for the future, drawing on the milestones we’ve reached in a relatively short space of time to adapt to economic conditions and client needs as they evolve.

“This year has been particularly satisfying, not just for the financial performance, but evidenced by colleagues achieving their own personal goals as part of a collective aim to be the best we can be in supporting clients across Scotland.

“As we start the next chapter of our journey, it is with great pride we can evidence the significant impact Harper Macleod has made in delivering legal services since our very small beginnings in 1988. Being innovative, imaginative and different, while continually focussing upon evolving client needs will continue to underpin our ambitious strategy to be the employer of choice and the outstanding legal services supplier across Scotland.”