Firm Profile > Brodies LLP > Edinburgh, Scotland

Agriculture and estates Tier 1

Brodies LLP's team of 'industry leaders' represents rural landed estates, farming and rural businesses, lenders, developers and public sector organisations on both sides of large land transactions, while also handling contentious matters such as disputes between tenants and land owners and the defence of compulsory orders to give up land. Clive Phillips has particular experience with windfarm options, leases and joint venture arrangements, areas in which he acts for both domestic and international clients. Odell Milne  advises clients including large farming businesses and poultry producers on development options, clean energy schemes, sales, acquisitions and commercial projects.

Banking and finance Tier 1

Brodies LLP's banking and finance team has recently undergone significant growth at the non-partner level, expanding on the existing strength of the highly regarded partner group, which is led by Bruce Stephen. The practice is noted for its infrastructure, renewable energy and oil and gas finance work, real estate finance issues and corporate and acquisition finance matters. Also key is its strength in the marine finance space, where it acts on numerous new construction and vessel acquisition financings at a global level; this expertise is led by Neal Richardson and is particularly strong in the pelagic fishing, cargo vessel, emergency response and rescue vessel, and passenger ferry markets. Other key practitioners include Michael Stoneham, who leads the energy and infrastructure practice; and real estate finance specialist Chris Dun.

Charities and not-for-profit Tier 1

Brodies LLP's charities practice acts for private trusts, grant-giving bodies, social enterprises and corporate structures looking to invest in the third sector. As the sole legal adviser to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), the team is frequently instructed to advise charities on compliance issues and help new bodies set up Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIOs). The firm also provides exclusive advice to a range of large trusts and grant-giving bodies on a range of matters including GDPR, tax and development for charitable purposes. Practice head Alan Eccles is regarded as 'one of the leading advisers in the sector'.

Commercial litigation Tier 1

Brodies LLP fields an 'excellent' team, which is frequently involved in many of Scotland's most high-profile disputes, most notably those arising from food and drink sector contracts, oil and gas contracts, debt and asset recovery and the international supply of goods and services. The team led by Stephen Goldie is equally well versed in handling corporate disputes and has a strong alternative dispute resolution offering. 'Litigation heavyweight' Joyce Cullen and Iain Rutherford, who also handles high-value arbitration claims, are recommended, as is 'bright' professional negligence expert Tony Jones QC, who joined the firm in June 2018 from BTO Solicitors LLP, and associate Monica Connolly, who has particular expertise in high-value IT disputes.

Commercial property: Edinburgh and Glasgow Tier 1

The commercial property team at Brodies LLP has recently been active in the emerging build-to-rent sector; it also has notable expertise in the investment, development, hotel, retail, leisure and housebuilding industries. Recent highlights include finance work, private equity investments, hotel management agreements, construction issues and licensing mandates. On the retail side, the group regularly acts for tenants and has expanded its client roster to include Tim Hortons, Waterstones, Pandora and Under Armour; the group has also gained new foreign investor and domestic developer clients. Johane Murray heads up the real estate practice and Colin Morrison leads the hotels and leisure group and the retail team. Managing partner Nick Scott also contributes to the practice, as does James Roscoe, who focuses on investment matters. Elaine Petterson in Glasgow recently made partner.

Commercial property: elsewhere in Scotland Tier 1

Brodies LLP has been notably active in the emerging build-to-rent sector while also maintaining its strong presence in the investment, development, hotel, retail and leisure, housebuilding and alternatives spaces. Glasgow-based practice head Johane Murray has a track record advising the government and industry bodies, while Aberdeen head Tracey Menzies has a particular focus on office developments, housebuilding issues and build-to-rent mandates. Also notable is Clive Phillips, who is an expert in agricultural law and leads the rural property team. Colin MacLaren retired.

Construction Tier 1

Covering a broad field of construction work, Brodies LLP regularly assists blue-chip companies, contractors and sub-contractors with matters arising from large-scale construction developments, including regeneration and student accommodation developments, as well as transactional and contentious issues; Manus Quigg and David Arnott are highly regarded in the contentious space, while Alistair McLean  heads up the non-contentious construction team. Senior associate Christopher Duff is recommended and specialises in the resolution of construction and engineering disputes.

Contentious trusts and probate Tier 1

Brodies LLP's broad client range comprises executors, beneficiaries, administrators and trustees, as well as shareholders and solicitors. The team is notable for its expertise handling complex contentious matters, including legal rights claims, disputes arising from the death of family members intestate, and disagreements concerning inheritance tax between executors and beneficiaries. The dual-qualified Mark Stewart, who sits as Convenor of the Law Society of Scotland's panel for trust law, handles the full range of estate, succession and tax planning matters. Recently promoted partner Angela McCulloch has a niche in advising financial institutions on trust and executry disputes.

Corporate and commercial: Edinburgh and Glasgow Tier 1

The corporate team at Brodies LLP is spread across Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen and advises its stellar client base on domestic and international transactions across a wide range of industry sectors. Already recognised as an established staple in the Scottish corporate space, the Brodies offering recently expanded its senior ranks through the promotion to partner of David Lightbody in Edinburgh. Shuna Stirling leads the team, which also includes Julian Voge and William Mcintosh.

Corporate and commercial: elsewhere in Scotland Tier 1

Brodies LLP 's Aberdeen offering has expertise across the full range of corporate matters, advising private and public companies and institutions, high-net worth individuals and the third sector. The corporate team is able to support clients in virtually all sectors of key importance to the Scottish economy, including oil and gas, fishing and maritime, property, education, funds and financial services and technology. Over recent years the firm has strengthened its ranks in Aberdeen with a number of relocation and hires, including Tom Boulton-Jones and Douglas Crawford. Senior associate Shona Tennant specialises in IT and complex commercial contracts.

Corporate tax Tier 1

Brodies LLP fields corporate tax experts such as Isobel D’Inverno and Glasgow-based Heather Gibson as part of its dedicated group. The practice advises businesses on complex transactions, but also acts for the individuals behind the businesses - both investors and management - on their personal tax affairs. This can range from effective remuneration and investment structures, to exit strategies and protecting wealth and assets for the next generation.

Crime: fraud Tier 1

The 'well informed and approachable' Paul Marshall heads up Brodies LLP's 'highly experienced and efficient' corporate crime and investigations practice, which is particularly active in the oil and gas, banking and financial services, food and drink, life sciences, construction and public sectors and assists clients with investigations into fraud, bribery and corruption. Competition and trade law expert Rod Lambert moved to Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in April 2018.

Debt recovery Tier 1

Brodies LLP routinely handles debt and asset recovery work for banks and other financial institutions, debt purchasers and debt collection agencies as well as utility providers. Stephen Goldie and Iain Rutherford jointly head the 'very professional' team.

Education Tier 1

With a fine reputation for its broad education sector offering, Brodies LLP's 'responsive' team regularly advises higher and further education sector clients as well as local authorities and government agencies on various governance structures, including new governance arrangements and sensitive reputational matters, sector-specific employment, immigration and corporate issues. Led by the 'fantastic' Brenda Scott, the group also receives frequent instructions on various contentious and non-contentious student matters.

Employment Tier 1

Acclaimed for its proficiency in employment law, Brodies LLP provides its clients with wide-ranging 'practical and prompt' advice including transactional support as well as assistance with investigations and Employment Tribunal claims. Its expertise spans various sectors including the public and third sectors alongside the finance, education, manufacturing, transport, oil and gas industries. The 'extraordinary' Tony Hadden heads the team which includes recommended industrial relations expert Joan Cradden and 'very smart' director Brian Campbell, who has extensive litigation expertise. Paul McMahon left the firm in December 2018 to work as employment judge. Elaine McIlroy, joined the team from Weightmans in August 2019, bringing expertise in immigration.

Environment Tier 1

Covering a broad field of contentious and non-contentious environmental law work, Brodies LLP's 'attentive, knowledgeable and practical' team handles frequent contaminated land-related instructions alongside energy, mineral, chemicals and waste sector matters, including various regulatory issues, environmental impact assessments and risk management. Philip Hunter is the main contact.

EU and competition Tier 1

Brodies LLP handles merger control, regulatory compliance and investigations, state aid, public procurement and contentious issues across the full spectrum of EU and national competition law. Being one of the only Scottish firms with a Brussels office, the team has been advising on Brexit queries over the past few years. Practice head Charles Livingstone sits in Glasgow and regularly collaborates with the firm's oil and gas practice to assist major clients with competition matters in the sector. In Edinburgh, experienced litigator and firm chair Christine O’Neill - the pre-eminent public law specialist in Scotland' - maintains close connections with the Scottish Government.

Family Tier 1

The 'top flight family law team' at Brodies LLP acts for high net worth individuals and private clients, with a particular emphasis on high value divorce cases, pre-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements. The large and widespread team, which is led by Shaun George, also handles the full range of child law matters, including international abduction, contact orders and child residence disputes, and regularly acts in multi-jurisdictional matters pertaining to financial provision and forum shopping. Scott Cochrane has 'excellent knowledge' of international family law matters, while Lisa Girdwood is a leading voice on child abductions and the implications of Brexit in this area.

Health Tier 1

With significant experience in the life sciences, medical devices and pharmacy sectors, Brodies LLP's 'pragmatic, responsive and very knowledgeable' multi-disciplinary team routinely advises on corporate, investment, IP, licensing and contentious matters, including proceedings against NHS boards. Jackie McGuire heads the team. IP expert Gill Grassie retired in July 2018.

Intellectual property Tier 1

Brodies LLP's dedicated IP team advises on advisory and contentious matters pertaining to commercial, regulatory and cross-border issues. The group also assists with issues across a range of sectors including the oil and gas, energy, IT, engineering and life sciences industries. Grant Campbell heads up the non-contentious practice while Robert Buchan now leads the contentious expertise following Gill Grassie's retirement. Other key individuals include Martin Sloan, who advises on IP issues relating to new technologies; and associate Shona Tennant, who has notable expertise in the education sector.

Local government Tier 1

Brodies LLP's multi-disciplinary team is recognised by clients and peers alike for its outstanding expertise in advising Scottish councils on major local government projects such as infrastructure, heat and power. Led by the 'well regarded' Jackie McGuire, the practice handles contentious and non-contentious procurement work, judicial reviews and statutory appeals and advises on governance, election law and local government finance matters. Its client base also includes Arm's Length Organisations. Managing associate Niall McLean is recommended; he handles a wide range of contentious and non-contentious issues.

Media and entertainment Tier 1

Brodies LLP represents a broad range of clients, including major broadcasters, publishing companies, private individuals, and social media companies. The firm has excellent knowledge of intellectual property law, ranging from acquiring IP rights, to advising on compliance and handling IP-focused acquisitions. Beyond this, the team advises clients on defamation risks through pre-publication reviews and pre-broadcast content reviews and manages data and brand protection for companies and individuals. Martin Sloan specializes in IP and technology, including contracts for the development of mobile apps and online affiliate advertising.

Medical negligence: defender Tier 1

Brodies LLP acts for a varied roster of clients including major healthcare providers and large insurers, defending complex cases often involving alleged breach of duty, such as those arising from deaths in custody, defective medical products, aesthetic surgery and ophthalmology. The strong team is led by the 'impressively efficient' Duncan Mawby, who has more than 17 years’ experience acting for the three major defence unions in Scotland. Mawby regularly advises the Medical and Defence Union of Scotland as one of the organisation's leading external panel solicitors, a relationship which has been strengthened by the recent secondment of associate Jill Harris  to the union's in-house legal team in Glasgow.

Oil and gas Tier 1

The oil and gas team at Brodies LLP is led by M&A expert Clare Munro and was recently bolstered by the arrival of Bryan Wilson from an in-house position at Total and Rhona McFarlane's promotion to the partnership. The dedicated group handles the full gamut of work in the sector, but also has expertise in several niche areas including third-party access agreements, FPSO contracts and decommissioning work alongside notable experience in the drilling sector. Sonia Love is also a key name to note for project development work.

Parliamentary and public affairs Tier 1

With superb reputation for its handling of all aspects of parliamentary and public affairs, including legislative drafting, public law litigation and EU public law matters, Brodies LLP receives frequent instructions from various public sector clients and commercial organisations. Its client roster includes the Scottish government, local governments, utilities, Scottish and UK regulators, colleges and universities as well as charities. The 'highly experienced and extremely responsive' practice is led by the 'highly regarded' Christine O’Neill and includes Charles Livingstone, who is recommended for his 'broad expertise'.

Personal injury: defender Tier 1

Brodies LLP handles a wide range of cases for major insurers and large companies, with a particular specialism in offshore accidents. The team defends class actions across a range of areas in the personal injury arena, including product liability and public liability, and also defends high value motor accidents, fatal claims and catastrophic injury claims. Tony Jones QC joined from BTO during 2018, adding considerable expertise to the practice. In 2017 partner Elena Fry spent two years as the head of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers in Scotland and was appointed as a member of the Scottish Civil Justice Council in late 2017.

Personal tax, trusts and executries Tier 1

Brodies LLP acts for a wide roster of trusts, wealthy families and individuals, with particular strength in the establishment of family investment companies and family limited partnerships and expertise in all areas of estate planning, succession planning and in structuring trusts in the most tax-efficient manner possible. Practice head Mark Stewart, a dual-qualified accredited trust specialist, sits as Convener of the Law Society of Scotland’s specialist accreditation panel for trust law. The 'personable and down to earth' Alan Barr is a leading tax specialist; he previously gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament on its enhanced tax powers in relation to land and building transactions tax.

Planning Tier 1

Providing full-service advice, the 'highly professional, knowledgeable and experienced' team at Brodies LLP has gained a reputation as a leading planning specialist involved in various key planning projects across Scotland, and was recently joined by former Burness Paull LLP planning head Elaine Farquharson-Black. The team has seen an increase in instructions pertaining to offshore energy, student accommodation and build-to-rent projects while onshore oil and gas and aquaculture projects are other key areas of expertise alongside infrastructure project-related compulsory purchase matters. 'Very knowledgeable' team head Neil Collar is highly regarded in the market.

Professional negligence Tier 1

Brodies LLP took on Tony Jones QC from BTO Solicitors LLP in mid-2018 and also increased its team's partner count during the year with the promotion of 'refreshingly frank' Louise Kelso, an accredited mediator and a specialist in solicitor negligence. The practice - which is led by Alan Calvert and Alisdair Matheson , handles the defence of some of the most important construction claims in Scotland on behalf of engineers, while managing a broader caseload which encompasses solicitor negligence, surveyor negligence and broker negligence across various sectors, including real estate and corporate, in addition to a range of disputes and employment claims relating to discrimination and equal pay. Jones is one of only three practising civil solicitor advocate QCs in Scotland.

Property litigation Tier 1

'Instilling a sense of confidence when resolving legal matters', Brodies LLP has impressive strength in the property litigation space. The 'professional, concise and commercial' practice represents real estate funds and property companies alongside local authorities, house builders, retailers and property developers in a wide range of commercial landlord and tenant disputes, high-value commercial development litigation and dilapidation claims. Stephen Goldie heads the practice, which also offers alternative dispute resolution strategies, and includes the 'extremely good, professional and commercially minded' Matthew Farrell; he is particularly experienced in commercial lease disputes and dilapidation claims.

Transport Tier 1

The 'excellent' team at Brodies LLP 'provides swift and accurate advice' and handles a broad spectrum of transport sector work. The 'very knowledgeable and proactive' Duncan MacLean is the key contact for shipping and marine work, which includes ship finance, transactional and chartering advice and assistance with continuous issues, Roger Cotton specialises in rail franchising matters while the 'experienced' Jackie McGuire and the 'extremely professional, knowledgeable and efficient' Odell Milne are well versed in handling road and rail-related issues.

Energy (excluding oil and gas) Tier 2

Brodies LLP is noted for its advice on first-of-a-kind projects including private electricity networks, tidal stream power, greenfield district heating networks, construction portfolio finance structures and biomethane gas network projects. The team also handles power purchasing agreements, CfD projects and rural property rights issues. Jointly led by Keith Patterson and Kirsty Macpherson, the group is comprised of experts from a wide range of practice areas including real estate, finance and corporate. Sarah-Jane McArthur focuses on low carbon energy projects, and managing associate Claire Reid has expertise in the wind, hydro and anaerobic sectors.

Health and safety Tier 2

Brodies LLP acts for corporate clients alongside insurers across various industries with particular expertise in the marine and fishing, construction, oil and gas and leisure sectors. Noted for its full-service offering, the team routinely advises on regulatory issues and acts for clients in regulatory and internal investigations and subsequent court actions. Elena Fry heads the team, which includes professional negligence lawyer Tony Jones QC, who joined the firm in June 2018 from BTO Solicitors LLP.

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 2

Brodies LLP's contentious expertise was recently bolstered by the arrival of Tony Jones QC from BTO Solicitors LLP. The insolvency and restructuring team, led from Edinburgh by Rachel Grant, represents large corporates, SMEs, public sector and regulatory clients, high-profile retailers and construction companies. Peter Kelly leads the Glasgow-based group, and Bruce Stephen handles specialised insolvency processes.

Investment funds Tier 2

Brodies LLP's team, led by Andrew Akintewe, advises on all aspects of investment fund structures and terms including investment companies and unit trusts, offshore vehicles including protected cell companies, classic partnerships and LLPs. Karen Fountain is singled out by clients for 'using her knowledge in a pragmatic manner', and Paul McLaughlin specialises in the various uses of LLPs, general partnerships and SLPs.

IT and telecoms Tier 2

Brodies LLP is recognised for its work in the financial services and technology sectors acting on a variety of contentious and advisory mandates; the cross-departmental team has substantial experience handling major projects, audits and M&A transactions. The group also recently advised on matters involving new technologies including blockchain and online trading platforms. Grant Campbell and Martin Sloan jointly lead the practice; Campbell is a data protection specialist and Sloan is noted for his financial services technology procurement and outsourcing work and cloud issues. Gill Grassie retired.

Pensions Tier 2

Juliet Bayne's 'absolutely committed and professional' team at Brodies LLP puts significant emphasis on pension trustee work, advising on defined pension schemes and the transfer of existing schemes to master trust arrangements, while also providing corporate employers with transactional pension law support and assisting various public sector clients with sector specific pension law matters.

Projects Tier 2

Brodies LLP has expertise in public law, finance, and project procurement work in its projects group and advises on the full life cycle of projects, from early stage planning to investor exits. The team is jointly led from Edinburgh by head of infrastructure Drysdale Graham and head of energy and infrastructure finance Michael Stoneham.

Sport Tier 3

Brodies LLP' practice takes a commercial approach to sports law, advising companies, individuals, sports clubs and public service bodies on contractual matters such as sponsorship agreements and service partnerships, acquisitions and structural matters, including establishing charitable foundations and advising councils on the spin-out of their services to charitable bodies. The team has a particular interest in tennis in Scotland, acting for the Judy Murray Foundation in a range of work including sponsorship and organisation of the Scottish ATP Championship Tour. Practice head Andy Nolan advised OPG-4 on its acquisition of Dundee United Football Club during 2018.

Disputes Yearbook 2020

Briefing
Seeing litigation through many lenses (https://www.legalbusiness.co.uk/analysis/disputes-yearbook-2020/sponsored-briefing-seeing-litigation-through-many-lenses/)
Stephen Goldie discusses Brodies’ growing litigation practice and the increasing popularity of ADR