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Paull & Williamsons LLP dominates the transactional market in Aberdeen and is ‘greatly valued’ by clients. It further strengthened its offshore oil and gas capability by hiring Helen Dickson from Shepherd and Wedderburn’s Aberdeen office. In 2010, the corporate team advised Lime Rock Partners on its NOK50m investment into Reelwell AS, a Norwegian technology company. Kenneth Gordon heads the practice, in which Scott Allan is a ‘very strong performer’.

Ledingham Chalmers LLP’s corporate team displays ‘strong legal knowledge’ and ‘good overall service levels’. Jody Mitchell was promoted to partner in 2010 as part of Malcolm Laing’s six-partner team in Aberdeen and Inverness. Highlights included advising Flexlife Group regarding a £5.5m equity and debt investment from Maven Capital Partners and Simmons Parallel Energy Fund.

McGrigors LLP’s corporate offering in Aberdeen remains a prominent presence in the oil and gas sector, and in 2010 the team hired David McEwing from Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace. The group advised Superior Energy Services on its £103.5m takeover of AIM-traded Hallin Marine Subsea International. UK-wide corporate head John Rutherford is recommended.

Stronachs LLP’s primary focus is on the oil and gas sector, with recent highlights including advising Petrofac Energy Developments International Limited on its equity investment in Gateway Storage Company Limited. Other clients include Global Energy and Nautronix Limited.

Blackadders LLP has ‘sufficient strength and depth within the team to advise on issues of complexity’, with practice head Campbell Clark highlighted for his ‘great attention to detail’. In 2010, the practice advised CJ Lang & Son Limited on the sale of its retail, food and catering equipment operations in Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth to a large London-based company.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s clients appreciate ‘the level of service and global offering’ that the firm provides. With a strong energy sector focus, it acts for clients such as BP, most recently on its $7bn sale of international assets to Apache Corporation. Practice head Frank Fowlie offers ‘solid support throughout industry deals’. The team was recently joined by Gregor Kennedy from Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace.

Harper Macleod LLP’s Christopher Kerr splits his time between Glasgow and Inverness, and is recommended for his specialist advice to family-owned and employee-owned businesses – clients appreciate his ‘amiable approach’.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP maintains an active presence in Aberdeen through a three-partner team, which recently advised on PTI Group’s sale of Production Testers International. Roy Roxburgh is recommended. Former head of the firm’s corporate group Alastair Wyper left to set up his own firm in 2010.

Keith Napier heads the corporate team at Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace.

The Commercial Law Practice’s Keir Willox has a focus on the oil services sector.

Dundee-based Michael Royden heads Thorntons Law LLP’s corporate group, and has a particular focus on corporate and commercial matters in the healthcare sector.

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Legal Developments in the UK

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  • Immigration update May 2012

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