Burges Salmon, the Bristol-based law firm, has made up three new partners in this year’s promotions round, taking its total number of partners to 79.
The promotions reflect continued growth in the firm’s energy and environment-related work, plus an increasing emphasis on work in international markets.
The new partners are Suzanna Harvey, James Phillips and Nick Churchward.
Suzanna is a specialist in international tax and trusts work with substantial experience of advising non-UK domiciliaries on the income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax implications of UK residence, and about international estate planning.
She also provides trust advice to numerous international trust companies and individuals, including drafting trust documentation, advising on general trust law issues and advising on policy documentation.
James and Nick are from Burges Salmon’s market leading energy and environment team, demonstrating a continued commitment to delivering high-calibre work in some of the firm’s key sectors.
James joined Burges Salmon as a trainee in 2001 and now provides regulatory and commercial law advice to developers, utilities, funders and government bodies in respect of a wide range of projects across the renewable energy, nuclear and oil and gas sectors. He is also an experienced environmental law specialist and his clients include International Nuclear Services, Seagreen and Meygen.
Nick Churchward is an energy projects specialist who works in the waste and environmental sectors advising funders, developers, local authorities and large energy users. His specialisms include advising on energy supply and power purchase agreements and he has pioneered the development of direct PPA structures. Nick's clients include Estover Energy, New Earth Solutions, Wessex Water/GENeco and Marks & Spencer who he has advised on its award winning Plan A direct PPA programme.
Burges Salmon’s managing partner Peter Morris said: “We are delighted to welcome these three talented individuals to the partnership. James and Nick will play an integral role in the continued growth of our award-winning energy & environment team and Suzanna is at the leading edge of our international wealth structuring work.
“All three lawyers will make significant contributions to the success of the firm in the years ahead. I am pleased to see that another lawyer who joined us as a trainee solicitor, James, is among our promotions.”
The firm’s head of energy, Ross Fairley, added: "The energy and environment team has had a successful year in 2012/13 and by making up two new partners, we will be able to extend yet further the partner-led approach we offer to our high-profile portfolio of clients in this field.”
Catherine Hallam, the firm’s head of private client, added: “Suzanna will add further strength to our group of seven partners and more than thirty lawyers in the private client and wealth structuring team at Burges Salmon. She has the exceptional technical skills that are needed to look after the needs of our sophisticated international clients.”
Suzanna becomes the third female lawyer to make partner at Burges Salmon in the past 12 months following planning specialist Liz Dunn and family law specialist Sarah Woodsford, who were made up in 2012.
Pictured, from left: Nick Churchward, managing partner Peter Morris, Suzanna Harvey and James Phillips
