Pinsent Masons appoints new head of Aberdeen office

Pinsent Masons has announced the appointment of employment law specialist Katie Williams to lead its Aberdeen office.

Ms Williams, who joined the firm in 2014, will become the first woman to lead the office when she succeeds Roger Connon in April.

Mr Connon, who is well-known in boardrooms across Aberdeen, will continue as a partner of the firm and will focus on promoting its regulatory compliance business, Cerico, and freelance lawyer service Vario.

Ms Williams is a well-respected figure in the Aberdeen business community and wider oil and gas sector, having advised leading energy and other companies on a range of complex employment issues.

The mother-of-two has championed the firm’s efforts to promote diversity both within and outwith the Pinsent Masons business and combines a successful legal career with a flexible working pattern.

The Aberdeen office, which includes 10 partners and 25 lawyers, works closely with the firm’s international network of 21 offices including energy-focussed hubs in Dusseldorf, Singapore, Qatar, Melbourne and Dubai.

John Cleland, managing partner, said: “Aberdeen is a critically important market for us given its position as a true global energy hub, so leadership and a well-executed succession plan is important.

“Roger has done an outstanding job and we were fortunate enough to have a deep pool of talent from which to select a successor. Katie stands out as an individual who is respected massively by our clients.

“She is a first-class lawyer but also a role model in terms of championing the firm’s culture and values.”

Ms Williams added: “Roger and the other partners have built an excellent platform in Aberdeen and I am delighted to take over the reins safe in the knowledge that he won’t be too far away, which can only smooth the transition.

“Our vision as a firm is to be recognised as an international market leader in the global sectors in which we operate and the energy market in particular is essential to that. We have been bucking the trend in Aberdeen during a period of challenging trading thanks to this focus, our international reach and also our commitment to innovation and efficiency. I look forward driving that forward and building on the fantastic offering developed so far.”