The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > Scotland > Corporate and commercial: Edinburgh and Glasgow

‘Brodies is extremely efficient in ensuring that acquisitions are completed in a timely manner.‘

‘At Brodies, lawyers always go the extra mile for clients.‘

‘Brodies is not only a law firm but also works with a commercial and flexible approach, providing expert advice. The corporate team provides first-class direct access and expertise in a number of disciplines; it definitely delivers on its tier one status.‘

‘The individuals at Brodies provide and deliver a first-class level of service and advice, not to mention their speed of response. The confidence and expertise provided is of the calibre expected and required. They understand clients’ individual needs and this is what sets them apart from their competitors. Their ability to react and manage expectations, as well as the depth and width of expertise is the reason for the firm’s success.‘

‘Euan Tripp is concise and clear in his correspondence making it easier for foreign investors to understand the legal process undertaken. Additionally, he has a certain level of patience which inspires confidence.‘

‘Shuna Stirling is a thoroughly experienced lawyer and has fantastic people skills. She explains the process in plain English and is always available if the clients have any questions.‘

‘David Lightbody has always been quick to advise, and is an indispensable asset in dealing with investor relations and general corporate management.’

‘The culture of the firm, including that of the corporate and commercial team, is the stand out feature. Not only does the firm demonstrate legal excellence across each of the departments but it does so in an approachable, customer-focused manner. The firm also ensures that additional areas of need are recognised and match those requirements to team members not only by capability and capacity but by personality, helping to create a positive working partnership. In terms of individual deals, the team quickly understands the rationale, execution strategy and guides clients proactively through to completion.‘

‘Mark Ellis is the key contact and has demonstrated excellence in several transactions. He has become a trusted adviser not only on corporate work but in terms of advising the company on other areas of its growth strategy. Mark has also managed the relationship extremely well when the company requires advice outside the corporate team. The ability to look beyond the myopic view of an individual partner to the overarching requirements of clients, will enable the firm to continue taking market share.‘

‘Down to earth and easy to deal with. The team is available at all times and works hard to see deals complete.‘

‘The high-quality team provides clear and concise advice, and is not afraid to give an opinion.‘

‘Barry McCaig is good at seeing the situation from the client’s perspective. He provides the legal view but translates it into a commercial view too.‘

‘Knowledge is backed by strong practical advice that understands that businesses have decisions to make and don’t want lawyers who just try and tell you what you can’t do.’

‘Excellent knowledge of AIM regulations and working with listed companies.‘

‘Jonathan Kirkwood (legal director) is extremely thorough and very easy to deal with.‘

‘Excellent legal knowledge coupled with a commercially pragmatic edge.’

‘The firm has regard to commercial considerations in not over-lawyering matters, and always pays attention to protect their client’s interests’.

‘John Morrison is excellent.’

‘This is a very commercially strong team with an outstanding understanding of the private equity investments marketplace.‘

‘Addleshaw Goddard’s corporate and commercial team provides excellent client-focused advice. Its lawyers are practical, and give sound commercial input alongside a strong grasp of the client’s legal position, risks and opportunities.‘

‘David Anderson is first class and always puts the client’s interests at the heart of the advice. He is energetic and a real pleasure to work with.‘

‘Legal director Laura Falls has a calm, clear client approach and an effective way of setting out alternatives.‘

‘Dentons’ truly diverse team works in a highly collaborative manner to deliver a great client experience.‘

‘Iain Sutherland provides excellent partner-led personable no-nonsense advice.‘

‘The team provides commercial, dedicated and sensible advice.‘

‘Response times are excellent and partner availability is second to none.‘

‘Donald Smith delivers outstanding service and really sets the bar in terms of proactive client support.‘

‘The strong team is able to pull on UK-wide Dentons expertise where required.‘

‘The team at Harper Macleod is very commercially focused and provides commercially valuable as well as technically competent legal advice.‘

‘The experience with Harper Macleod is nothing but positive. The team stands out for its speed of response, enthusiasm, friendliness, problem-solving approach and its openness to making connections with its extensive network. It is keen to make a difference and prepared to do pro-bono work to help start-up businesses.‘

‘James MacGregor and Donald Munro co-ordinate advice from the property, employment and commercial advisory teams, which is not as common as one would hope.‘

‘Paula Skinner genuinely cares about clients and their business. She creates valuable and long-lasting relationships.‘

‘Anderson Strathern’s wealth of experience and knowledge is invaluable. Clients can always feel safe in the knowledge that the advice they are given is correct.‘

‘The corporate team at Anderson Strathern is defined by attention to detail, quick responses when required, value for money and terrific knowledge of a wide range of legal requirements.‘

‘Ewan Regan and Bruce Farquhar are hugely efficient and helpful at all times.‘

‘Colin Young is invaluable. He is always on hand to offer his advice and ready to look further into any issue no matter how tricky.’

‘The team provides strong support and has extensive international offices.‘

‘Simon Rae manages the client relationship and his team very well.‘

‘DWF has excellent corporate and commercial teams in Glasgow and Edinburgh.‘

‘The firm’s corporate lawyers are personable, down-to-earth and know and understand the local business worlds of Glasgow and Edinburgh (and across Scotland). They provide their clients with sound, practical and effective advice.‘

‘DWF has the strengths and capabilities to resource and advise on every eventuality in the most professional and approachable way possible.‘

‘The ability to focus on each individual case and deal quickly and efficiently with any issues that might arise is what sets the team apart.‘

‘The proactive team identifies new ideas in the market and actively markets them to clients.‘

‘The team is always going above and beyond and clients can truly trust it to get the work done on time, and accurately. The corporate experts at Lindsays give sage advice when difficult choices present themselves and always communicate technical details in easy-to-understand terms, while also having a great understanding of specific industries.‘

‘David Wood is very professional in his dealings. He is great at not wasting time on minor issues but at the same time doesn’t allow them to become large issues.‘

‘Douglas Roberts is enthusiastic and creates opportunities for partners and clients.‘

‘Douglas Roberts and Nimarta Cheema are exceptional in their approach. They understand the personal stress created by the nature of deals and what needs to be done for each individual client.‘

‘Alastair Smith is a real pleasure to work with.’

‘The group stands out for its straight-talking plain English explanation and ability to get the job done.‘

‘The team is very aligned with clients. It has a great understanding of clients’ requirements and constantly checks back to see if the client is on track with what it is trying to achieve.‘

‘Michael Kelly is clear, concise, intelligent and always available.‘

‘Gary Baines (associate) powers through the work and is always available.’

‘Morton Fraser LLP appears to pride itself on providing the most risk-averse advice in Scotland: no “i” left undotted, no “t” uncrossed. This means their products may be more robust, but also more expensive, than average’.

‘The practice (asset finance and Corporate) is very well regarded. Morton Fraser is a large but independent Scottish firm with a very hands-on approach which helps to drive matters forward effectively. Very good and in-depth knowledge of the law together with a strong appreciation of the commercial backdrop/reality.’

‘Extremely quick and dedicated service. Great academic insight into the legal issues but tailored to deliver the right commercial result. Very solid and dependable service’

‘Strong partner leadership. Real interest in getting to understand your business. Advice born of relevant experience’.

‘Iain Young is an outstanding partner – unflashy but very sound. He works hard to understand the brief and engages with the other side, without irritating them’.

‘The team is approachable and quick to respond to client needs. The corporate experts are very service focused and have the ability to convey technical concepts in ways which clients understand.‘

‘April Bingham and Stephanie Farrell (senior associate) are helpful, reactive and extremely personable. Nothing is too much of a hassle for them.

‘The corporate lawyers at Shoosmiths are experienced, collegiate in their thinking, friendly, proactive and practical in their counsel.‘

‘The team is responsive and commercial and keeps things simple and effective. The drafting is always clear and easy to understand.‘

‘At Shoosmiths there is a very level and professional approach to getting the transaction done, but with a finely judged sense of when to push and when to move on.‘

‘Alison Gilson is a very impressive , measured and practical lawyer. She doesn’t panic under pressure and has a sharp mind.‘

‘Alison Gilson and Jen Paton (senior associate) both try to identify potential issues early on in any deal and explain them to the client and the adviser in straightforward terms to see if it is worth progressing or stopping straight away.‘

‘Turcan Connell stands out for its breadth of skills under one roof and unique knowledge of certain buyout techniques.‘

‘Mike Kane is fantastic. He is calm in all storms, with a great mind for insights that are really useful and save lots of time and money.‘