New generation takes the helm at Burness Paull

Burness Paull has announced a new management team as long serving chairman Philip Rodney stands down.

With effect from 1st August 2018, Peter Lawson will take over as chairman, while Tamar Tammes steps into the role of managing partner.

Both trained at Burness Paull, and each has a proven track record. Ms Tammes is currently head of the firm’s property and infrastructure division, the largest in the firm.

Mr Lawson, who gained three years’ experience at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, leads the firm’s corporate division, which recently topped the Business Insider deals table for the third year in a row.

Ms Tammes and Mr Lawson will lead an ambitious three year growth plan, building on the firm’s success in Scotland, the UK and internationally.

The new team replace current managing partner Ian Wattie and chairman Philip Rodney, who have served more than 12 years in their respective posts. Mr Wattie will be retained in a strategic consultancy role with the firm for the next 12 months to help finalise the delivery of a number of key projects, while Mr Rodney will leave the firm to pursue a number of personal projects.

The handover follows a year long shadowing process designed to ensure a seamless transition with clarity of succession for both clients and staff.

Ms Tammes said: “Philip and Ian have led the firm through a transformative process and will leave their roles with the firm in great shape. It is an exciting time for the firm, which has a very clear growth strategy. As part of that we will look to empower a new generation of leaders within the firm as it enters the next chapter in its development.”

Eight months into its 2017/18 financial year, the firm’s performance is significantly ahead compared with last year.

The independent firm also posted a record-breaking performance in the latest corporate deals table (published 15 March 2018), advising on 296 transactions with a total value of £42.8 billion. The volume of deals was more than twice the number of its nearest rival, and the cumulative value more than six times greater.

Mr Lawson said: “It has been an exceptionally busy year so far. The firm has been named the top corporate dealmaker in Scotland three years running and we have won awards in our IP, Tech and Employment practices in the past 12 months.

“Over 40 per cent of our work is now international, and we have recently become the sole UK-headquartered member of Lex Mundi – the world’s leading network of independent law firms. That puts us in a unique position to ensure our clients get the best possible advice and support for their businesses, both in the UK and internationally.”