Bristol-headquartered national law firm Burges Salmon is to open an office in Edinburgh next month having secured three high-calibre partners from top-quality independent Scottish firms.
The firm, which also has an office London, said the move recognised and responded to the needs of its clients and also aligned with its focus on key sectors.
It also said it demonstrated its continued commitment to the Scottish market and supported its long-standing Scottish practice.
Joining the office will be corporate practitioner Danny Lee, who arrives from Shepherd & Wedderburn as a partner in its corporate finance team.
Described by Burges Salmon as a ‘heavyweight’, he is an experienced operator in the Scottish market and brings a wealth of experience in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity with a particular focus on the renewable energy, food and drink, and technology sectors.
Robert Forman, a leading commercial property lawyer, joins from Brodies as a partner in its UK-wide real estate team. He is well known in the real estate sector and has a broad range of experience in investment acquisitions and disposals, commercial leasing, property development and secured lending. Robert also has experience advising on the property aspects of rural business.
Prominent planning law specialist Craig Whelton re-joins Burges Salmon from Burness Paull as a partner in its planning team, having previously worked for the firm for nearly five years in Bristol.
He has extensive experience in all planning related matters and has specialist expertise in consenting major energy, housing and infrastructure projects. His focus will continue to be on energy projects, in particular onshore and offshore wind projects, and housebuilding, and wider regeneration projects.
Danny will initially be joined by senior corporate director Joanna Monaghan from Shepherd & Wedderburn, who will continue to work together at Burges Salmon, and Robert will be reunited with senior real estate director Claire MacLean from Burness Paull.
Making up the additional team of five lawyers will be solicitor Lynsey Reid (planning) and two of the firm’s existing Scottish qualified real estate lawyers; senior associate Lynette Purves (who is currently on a client secondment in Edinburgh) and associate Emma Shearer (who will relocate from Burges Salmon’s Bristol HQ).
All the new hires will work with the firm’s wider practices, sector groups and existing Scottish law team, led by partner Euan Bremner.
Burges Salmon managing partner Roger Bull said: “The launch of our Edinburgh office is exciting and will enable us to support the firm’s growing client-base and long-standing Scottish practice.
“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit such talented lawyers into our new office and would like to welcome our new recruits to Burges Salmon. Their appointment in our Edinburgh office responds to the needs of our national and international clients and enhances our ability to continue providing wide-ranging sector advice across the UK.”
Burges Salmon chief operating officer Emma Dowden, who led the team responsible for the Edinburgh office design and fit-out, said: “Our aim is to strengthen further our offering by attracting exceptional people to work in our growing Edinburgh office, which offers a high quality, collaborative working environment.”
Burges Salmon employs around 750 people in its Bristol headquarters and London office. Bristol-headquartered national firm TLT also has an office in Edinburgh.
Pictured, Burges Salmon managing partner Roger Bull, far left, with the Edinburgh hires: Joanna Monaghan, Craig Whelton, Danny Lee, Lynette Purves, Robert Forman, Lynsey Reid, Claire MacLean, Emma Shearer and Emma Dowden
