Advising on high‑value, cross‑border transactions from Edinburgh and Glasgow, Brodies LLP handles significant M&A, investments, and disposals across the technology, energy, life sciences, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors. Its deep bench of practitioners provides corporate and commercial support to public institutions, multinationals, and high-net-worth individuals. Neil Burgess heads the practice and expertly handles the full spectrum of corporate and commercial transactions for a range of domestic and multinational clients. William McIntosh has a strong track record in large-scale, multi-jurisdictional PE deals, while Shuna Stirling is a key name for M&A and joint venture mandates. David Lightbody and Derek Stroud have longstanding experience advising on buy-side and sell-side deals across a multitude of sectors. Paul Breen is noted for his M&A, PE and commercial contracts expertise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The practice has excellent partner relationships running throughout. This allows clients to tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience across a range of specialty fields.’
‘I work closely with Derek Stroud and Alasdair Dunn - both are excellent to deal with, personable, honest and conscientious, a credit to their profession.’
‘Extremely responsive. Consistent partner involvement. Creative problem solvers - finding solutions rather than reasons not to do things.’
‘Responsive. Common sense approach. Also able to explain difficult legal/commercial concepts in plain English - which is a definite differentiator.’
‘It's not often you get exactly what you're looking for when you appoint lawyers. I really valued the weekly updates and strong communication as this gave me what I needed to feel in control of what would otherwise have been a very stressful transaction. Brodies delivered what we needed - the smooth and successful sale of our business and provided us with an all-round solid team.’
‘Derek Stroud is the only person we considered appointing to advise us when selling our business. He is calm, considered and unflappable; his robust advice and professionalism always manages to allow for genuine care for clients'.
‘The corporate and commercial team have demonstrated an exceptional ability to coordinate complex and time sensitive projects involving wider teams including commercial property, banking and compliance. Their ability to look after client interests, bring focus to issues and to bring projects to a timely conclusion is second to none.’
‘Our team has been headed up by Liz Bruce who has developed an exceptional understanding of our business and needs, and whose level headed and focused approach has been pivotal to the successful completion of several large transactions with short timescales.’
'Brodies were very adaptive to the needs of our team, and support where individuals on our side had lower levels of transaction experience, clearly communicating issues in ways they could be understood.'
'David Lightbody, the lead partner, was very cool and pragmatic throughout. Extremely available, and pro-active in communication.'
Key clients
- Vinci Airports SAS
- Chanel BV
- Ocean Science Consulting
- Master Sistemas Automotivos Ltd
- AICO Software / Mercur Solutions
- Menissez
- Eneus Energy Holdings Limited
- ProServ Holdings Limited
- Datavant Inc
- Scottish Enterprise
- Edrington
- Last Mile Infrastructure Group
- Maven Capital Partners LLP
- Accel-KKR
- Associated Seafoods
- Warwick Acoustics
- Verint Systems Inc
- Scottish Woodlands
- GoFibre Group
- ACS Clothing Limited
Work highlights
Advised global airport provider, VINCI Airports, on the £1.27bn acquisition by VINCI Airports of a majority stake in Edinburgh Airport from - and joint venture with - Global Infrastructure Partners.
Advised Scottish Enterprise supporting on deals which involved equity investments, convertible loan notes, conversions and exits in relation to more than 60 Scottish businesses.
Advised Master Europe Automotive Systems Limited on the acquisition of EBS Aftermarket Group Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
William McIntosh
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Shuna Stirling
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
David Lightbody
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Neil Burgess
Other key lawyers
William McIntosh; Shuna Stirling; David Lightbody; Derek Stroud; Paul Breen; Duncan Cathie; Asadair Dunn; Liz Bruce