Burness Paull appoints six new partners

Burness Paull has announced a raft of appointments and partner promotions that it says underpin its ambitious strategy for the future.

Alongside five internal promotions, Jody Crockett joins as partner in the firm’s dispute resolution team.

Mr Crockett, a former Burness Paull associate, spent the last six years working with London-based magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

He is qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales, and Scotland, and focusses on litigation, resolving cross-border corporate/ commercial disputes. He is also experienced in international arbitration and mediation.

The internal partner promotions are Joanna Fulton, Lindsay Wallace, Graeme Bradshaw, Andrew Christie and Graeme Palmer.

Ms Fulton, a product liability specialist, is qualified in Scotland, England and Hong Kong, advises on cross-border disputes, and plays a key role in the firm’s international strategy with a focus on developing business in China.

Ms Wallace, a corporate lawyer, becomes the firm’s first general counsel. She has a wide range of experience in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, commercial contracts, intellectual property and the resolution of material contract disputes. Ms Wallace was previously Burness Paull’s director of knowledge and risk management.

Mr Bradshaw, a key member of the property team, has considerable expertise, knowledge and relationships within the commercial development and retail/leisure sectors. With a particular interest and focus on the opportunities and challenges that technology will bring to the retail environment, he will drive this growing area of business.

Mr Christie, partner in the firm’s banking and funds practice, has extensive experience of fund structuring, establishment and closing and will play a key role in advising private equity houses, City and US firms, and other international clients. He will also continue to build on his significant fund finance experience driving the firm’s relationships with both borrowers and lenders and City and overseas firms in relation to fund finance transactions.

Mr Palmer has extensive experience in advising public and private sector bodies on a wide range of procurement and state aid law matters – including major wins on recent procurement challenges. He is seeing increased demand from clients seeking specialist advice to address emerging issues like Brexit and future free trade deals.

The firm has also appointed Claire Macpherson to firm’s private capital team as director. She brings with her extensive experience in tax and succession law, focusing on estate planning including inheritance tax, capital gains tax and income tax for UK and international clients.

Philip Rodney, chairman of Burness Paull, said: “Our recent promotions demonstrate the depth of talent that is being nurtured through our leadership development programme and our ability to attract top talent from other firms. Each of our new partners will play a key role in developing their own areas of expertise, as well as in the firm’s ambitious growth plans.”