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Dundas & Wilson CS LLP’s energy practice is ‘excellent at understanding what the client wants’, and has particular strength in wind farm financing. Mark Brumwell heads the team, which acted for Beatrice Offshore Wind on consent matters regarding its wind farm.

McGrigors LLP’s Bob Ruddiman leads an energy team of ‘true specialists who know the business and regulatory environment well and have an excellent client orientation’. In 2010, the team advised AES Wind Generation on its acquisition of Your Energy Limited from Mistral Energy. Euan McVicar is ‘a very talented, remarkable and reliable professional, with deep knowledge of the energy sector in general and of the renewables business in particular’.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s cross-departmental energy practice ‘puts the client first, understands the industry and its specific requirements, has quick response times, and is very easy and uncomplicated to work with’. Highlights in 2010 included advising Cairn Energy on its $8.5bn proposed sale of shares in its Indian subsidiary to Vedanta Resources plc. Practice head James Saunders is recommended, as are Liz McRobb and Kevin McGrory, who ‘are extremely valuable due to their long industry experience’.

Biggart Baillie LLP’s renewables team is ‘very knowledgeable about government carbon reduction projects, and has good awareness of other issues which affect the energy industry’. In 2010, the firm advised ScottishPower on a £200m outsourcing partnership with Eaga plc. Practice head Wayne Lawrence has an ‘excellent manner (both with clients and third parties), and good awareness of commercial influences and interests’.

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP’s transactions-focused renewable energy practice is headed by David Cruickshank, who joined from Barclays Capital in 2010, while Michael Dean heads the energy regulatory group. The energy group as a whole exhibits ‘good industry knowledge, and seeks to be innovative while remaining commercial’. In 2010, it advised The Combination of Rothes Distillers on a biomass plant in Morayshire. Brian Moore has ‘a very user-friendly and commercial manner, and is an excellent sounding board on corporate M&A activity’.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s energy practice ‘consistently delivers very good levels of service’, and has an impressive record in renewables matters. In 2010, the team advised new client John Wood Group on its acquisition of a significant equity stake in SgurrEnergy Limited, a Glasgow-based renewable energy consultancy business. Paul Rice and Alastair Morrison co-head the practice.

Anderson Strathern’s practice head Bruce Farquhar in 2010 advised e-Gen on the establishment of a £50m renewable energy fund. Gavin Thain is acting as lead solicitor to the Crown Estate on the development of the world’s first commercial wave and tidal electricity project. Alastair McKie is recommended for his planning law expertise.

Neil Collar heads the team at Brodies LLP, which has displayed notable commitment to the renewable energy sector, and ‘inspires a strong degree of confidence’. The Co-operative Bank, which is the leading lender to the renewable sector in the UK for projects valued up to £25m, is a key client. Project finance specialist Keith Patterson is also recommended.

Burness LLP’s diverse practice covers wind and hydro energy, with energy from waste a particular strength. James Forbes heads the team, which in 2010 advised Bruichladdich Distillery Company on its combined heat and power biomass project, and Lloyds Banking Group and BNP Paribas as lenders for the £32m, 22MW Glenkerie Wind Farm development.

Penelope Warne heads the team at CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, which advised Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Artemis Intelligent Power. Timothy Pitt is an expert in real estate and energy.

Gillespie Macandrew LLP’s energy team provides an ‘exemplary level of service’. The firm has formalised its renewable energy expertise under practice head Kirsty MacPherson, noted for her ability to ‘see the bigger picture and not get lost in the detail’. Derek McCulloch is also recommended, for his ‘years of experience in the field of hydro electricity development’.

Alan Shanks heads the energy practice at HBJ Gateley, which earned new instructions from Scottish Power Renewables, and advised Burcote Wind on the development of land to be used for renewable energy generating stations. Andrew Ley is also recommended.

Nick Jones’ energy practice at MacRoberts LLP has steadily built a reputation in the market, and has ‘good industry knowledge’. It has a strong onshore wind offering but has been developing its profile beyond that sector, and in 2010 it advised UK Hydro on several low head hydro schemes.

Brechin Tindal Oatts’ energy practice acts ‘professionally, swiftly and correctly at all times, and shows great knowledge and expertise’. It typically handles developer and funding mandates in the wind, hydro and biomass generation sectors for new projects with a build cost of up to £15m. Ralph Riddiough displays ‘exceptional knowledge and efficiency’ and co-heads the practice with the ‘personable and very capable’ James Dickson.

Gareth Parry joined DLA Piper Scotland LLP from McGrigors LLP in 2010 to head up the engineering and construction team. Project finance partner Andrew Fitchie advised EMEC on expanding its marine renewables offering.

David Bone was appointed as Harper Macleod LLP’s head of energy and natural resources in 2010, and provides a ‘high level of business knowledge and experience with a clear customer focus’, advising on real estate matters relating to wind farm developments; his clients include The Forestry Commission. Pamela Todd is also recommended.

Ledingham Chalmers LLP remains an active figure in renewable energy projects, and enjoys strong client relationships in the energy services sector across the north and northeast of Scotland. Clients include Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group.

Morton Fraser provides ‘sensible, not flashy’ advice, and has a niche focus on nuclear energy for clients such as the UKAEA. Litigation head Ewan McIntyre leads the energy team.

Richard Leslie leads Tods Murray LLP’s energy team, which has ‘impressive knowledge of the wind power market’.

Andy McFarlane leads the renewable energy team at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP. Clients include RWE npower renewables.

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