The ‘very knowledgeable and responsive team’ at Brodies LLP ‘provides an outstanding level of advice to clients’ and is trusted by investment companies, multinational corporates, financial institutions and service providers. Based out of Aberdeen, the group leverages its expertise and client base in the oil and gas industry to act on both buyer and seller mandates, complex cross-border mergers, and commercial advice pertaining to drilling, oil field operations, and well services. Wider engagement with renewables, real estate, and infrastructure mandates also features prominently in its book of work. Douglas Crawford has a broad practice that encompasses M&A and private equity, and he has been a leading figure on some of the firm’s most consequential management buyout instructions. Tom Boulton-Jones ‘consistently provides excellent advice to clients’ and has demonstrated activity in the real estate sector, often acting for foreign investors. The ‘superb’ Martin Ewan is roundly praised by clients for his ‘knowledge, expertise and commerciality’ and is noted for his energy and tech-related work, while David Millar specialises in private company transactions and private equity issues. Greg Costello is equally proficient across corporate and commercial matters.

CMS continues to be a dominant force in the Aberdeen energy market, utilising its ‘high-quality individual lawyers and incredible coverage across sector’ to handle an array of client instructions. The firm caters to a wide range of clients, including multinational energy corporations and leading oil and gas exploration companies, producers, and service providers looking to optimise portfolios through high-value acquisitions. Furthermore, the group assists clients in the renewables sector with restructurings, joint ventures, acquisitions and disposals, and equity investments in energy asset portfolios, particularly wind, battery storage, and hydrogen projects. Frank Fowlie helms the Aberdeen practice and is noted as a ‘really good corporate lawyer with a no nonsense approach and solution focused advice’, particularly in relation to M&A and corporate restructurings. Craig Wilson also comes recommended for his wide-spanning expertise in the renewables and oil and gas space.

Addleshaw Goddard has a deep bench of practitioners in Aberdeen who advise on a wide array of corporate and commercial matters, including M&A, disposals, joint ventures, and business restructurings. The team continues to make strides in the energy sector, regularly handling complex, cross-border transactions and engaging with a variety of energy transition and digital infrastructure assets. The group also demonstrates a strong track record in the pharma, retail and consumer, and professional services industries. Team lead David McEwing is an oil and gas specialist and is equally competent in inbound and outbound transactions and investments. Co-head Ross McKenzie is the go-to in the practice for commercial mandates, with expertise in tech and cyber issues, while Fiona Kindness handles M&A and equity investments in the energy space. Arran Mackenzie has recently handled a range of deals involving energy, food and drink, and transport sector clients.

Burness Paull LLP exhibits a strong Aberdeen offering, acting on a range of corporate and commercial matters that includes buyer and seller transactions, significant international restructuring deals, joint ventures, and fundraising rounds. The firm has a notable focus on the energy sector, and is regularly called on by major players in the oil and gas and renewables space for its ‘very good market knowledge’. Helen Dickson leads the practice and is singled out for her expertise in M&A and private equity transactions. Co-head Alasdair Freeman is active on a growing body of international work and combines his transactional capabilities with restructuring and insolvency acumen. Jennifer Rae plays a key supporting role across a range of mandates and is particularly skilled in multinational group reorganisations. Andrew Lyndon is also recommended for his knowledge of the oil and gas and renewables sectors.

Demonstrating a ‘depth of experience’ across a ‘range of specialisms’, Harper Macleod LLP has a corporate and commercial offering that spans Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Elgin, Thurso and Shetland. The ‘diligent’ team acts on both the buy side and sell side of an array of transactions with a growing focus on large and listed businesses, and also has a dedicated team focused on commercial contract and infrastructure instructions. Helming the practice is Christopher Kerr, who has a broad sector approach and an impressive book of cross-border work, handling in-bound private equity investments and management buy-outs. Craig McKerracher, who also serves as joint head of the firm’s healthcare group, offers private M&A experience and works alongside Kerr on the group’s most consequential transactions, while Stephen Chan‘s remit covers both corporate and corporate finance mandates as well as operating the China country desk; he takes the lead on a number of deals involving Asian counter-parties. Amy Mackenzie is also recommended.

With offices in Aberdeen and Inverness, Stronachs LLP has a ‘professional’ team that demonstrates a ‘remarkable level of detail’ on M&A and private equity transactions across a multitude of sectors, particularly healthcare, energy, and transport and logistics deals. Team head Ross Gardner generates a significant volume of work in Aberdeen and has recently presided over management buy-outs, majority shareholding disposals, equity investments, and joint venture transactions. Neil Forbes has close connections to engineering, construction, and energy services clients which rely on his expertise for large-scale deals, while Callum Armstrong, who was promoted to partner in June 2023, is noted for his depth of knowledge across various sectors.

With ‘knowledge, experience and professionalism coupled with a practical approach’, Aberdein Considine has recently strengthened its capabilities through the hire of Rod Hutchison in June 2023, who brings a wealth of corporate experience and particular expertise in the energy space. Hutchison joins the team, which regularly handles M&A, management buy-outs, and private equity and venture capital work, led by the ‘excellent’ Ritchie Whyte, who has a growing book of cross-border work. Danny Anderson has been a crucial supporting presence across the spectrum of practice mandates.

Blackadders LLP has a considerable corporate offering, acting on a wide array of sectors for high-end domestic and multinational clients on M&A and equity investments and disposals, while also possessing commercial capabilities particularly in relation to joint ventures and commercial contracts. The tech space continues to be a area of significant activity for the firm, with team lead and data protection specialist Kirk Dailly regularly instructed by video game entrepreneurs, digital infrastructure developers, and energy services providers. Campbell Clark has a broad offering split between corporate and commercial work, and has recently overseen contractual agreements between European, Middle Eastern, and African entities. Susan McFadyen has a similarly broad practice and is particularly familiar with the hospitality, food and drink, and real estate sectors. Suzi Low bolsters her corporate offering with expertise in banking and finance. Richard Wilson and Bethany Buchanan are also recommended.

The ‘very competent and capable’ team at Shepherd And Wedderburn attracts instructions from an array of sectors, including the real estate, life sciences, hospitality and leisure, food and drink, agriculture, and energy spaces. The firm’s client roster consists of public and private sector companies, SMEs, and early start-ups, as well as private individuals. Practice head Keir Willox has a broad sector focus and handles M&A, joint ventures, restructurings, and investments, as well as the full range of commercial issues. Fiona Kennedy relocated to Aberdeen from the Edinburgh office in October 2023 to add further corporate and clean energy expertise.