Ms Piper brings more than 30 years of advising businesses on corporate and commercial work. Qualified in Scotland and England, she acts on behalf of founders, investors, start-ups, scale-ups and established owner-managed businesses, from formation and funding to restructuring and exit. She also tutors on the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow.

Mr Connolly joins the employment team, with his previous work spanning disciplinary and grievance procedures, unfair dismissal, discrimination claims, TUPE and business immigration. He regularly represents clients at employment tribunals and is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, previously sitting on its Scotland steering committee.

The two partners join a wider round of hires in Glasgow this year with Vicky Ward joining the corporate team as an associate and David White appointed as Thorntons’ first dedicated private client hire in the city.

Aimee Gibbons, partner in Thorntons’ commercial property team and head of its Glasgow office, said: “Our Glasgow team has grown fast this past year, and that reflects both the strength of the market here and the ambition we have for the city. Fiona, Stephen, Vicky and David are all exceptional lawyers who each bring a strong reputation in their field.

“Clients increasingly want specialist expertise delivered by a firm that can act for them across everything, from corporate deals to employment and private wealth. These appointments let us do more of that from Glasgow.”

Lesley Larg, managing partner at Thorntons, said: “Glasgow is now one of the few places clients can get full-service legal advice, for both businesses and individuals, from a single Scottish firm.

“We’re investing across the firm to strengthen the practice areas our clients rely on, and to support them wherever they are in Scotland. That investment is being driven by demand, and by the strength of our people.”