Key facts
Performance
These are tough times. But Burness LLP has delivered a solid performance in an uncertain economic climate. Whatever the conditions, we stay committed to delivering a service that meets our clients’ needs.
In the financial year ending 31 July 2011:
- Our turnover increased by 10% to £23.4 million
- Our net profit was up by 14% on the previous year’s performance
- We awarded a bonus of 10% to all staff
People
Who are we? Find out more in the People section – but here’s a quick summary.
- 34 partners
- 144 lawyers
- 250 people in total
Highlights
Over the last 12 months, we’ve provided a portfolio of legal services to our client base. In particular, we have seen increased activity in our employment and pensions, corporate finance, dispute resolution, and funds disciplines. This has all contributed to our strong performance.
In employment and pensions, our award-winning team had its strongest year to date – with new client wins including Gala Coral, Whyte & Mackay, ITN and Hallett Retail.
In corporate finance we have had a sustained period of significant deal activity and won a number of major new clients – bucking current trends. Deals include the Bluegem purchase of Liberty, Standard Life purchase of threesixty Services LLP, the sale of Howie Group Limited, management buy outs of Euro Environmental and M&C Energy and AIM listed SeaEnergy plc equity fundraising.
Our restructuring and insolvency team was appointed in one of the UK’s largest insolvencies - the Kenmore Property Group.
Our international litigation practice has been active - its prominent product liability practice has represented many global clients. As an example of our international capability, we are acting for Norwegian clients in a multi-jurisdictional claim - for tens of millions of dollars.
And our market leading funds practice has been at the forefront of developing the use of Scottish limited partnerships in fund and other structures and this year has continued to win mandates from UK and international fund managers, investors, and banks and law firms from outside Scotland.
Against the background of looming cutbacks in public sector funding, a large number of local authorities and other public authorities across Scotland are actively considering alternative models for the delivery of public services and Burness is at the forefront of developments in this field.
Our construction and projects practice was appointed sole provider of legal advice and consultancy services to the South East Territory hub, an important appointment in relation to new delivery models for NHS and local authority procurement.
Our energy and renewables practice is breaking new ground in its waste, biomass and community renewables projects which include UPM Kymmene’s 28MW CHP Biomass Project at their Irvine paper mill. Our vibrant on-shore wind team has been occupied on more than 50 sites across Scotland.
And our commercial property team continues to receive premier rankings in both Chambers and Legal 500.
A continuing trend has been a growing number of partners and junior lawyers coming to us with City training. This increasingly makes us the choice of many London magic and silver circle firms for referrals.
Awards
We received Employment Firm of the Year UK in the ACQ Law Awards 2010, Regional Law Firm of the Year UK in the ACQ Country Awards 2009 and National/Regional Law Firm of the Year 2008 Award by The Lawyer - the only Scottish firm to achieve this.
Structure
Our Operations Board is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business under the leadership of our managing partner, Ian Wattie. Our Governance and Strategy Board is led by our chairman, Philip Rodney, and is responsible for forward planning.
We always want to meet our clients’ needs. So we also have a Client Advisory Group, which includes senior figures from Standard Life, Shell, RBS, Cruden, and STV.