Burges Salmon sets up Scottish-based team with three partner hires

UK law firm Burges Salmon has announced the hire of three partners from Scottish practices as it prepares to open its new Edinburgh office next month.

Danny Lee, a corporate partner at Shepherd & Wedderburn, Robert Forman, a commercial property partner at Brodies, and Craig Whelton, planning law partner at Burness Paull, will lead the new team which will be based in Atria One in Morrison Street, the building that also houses the Law Society of Scotland.

Other solicitors joining the new base are Joanna Monaghan from Shepherd & Wedderburn, and Claire MacLean and Lynsey Reid from Burness Paull, along with relocating Burges Salmon senior associate Lynette Purves and associate Emma Shearer.

Burges Salmon has had a Scottish practice in its Bristol headquarters, from where along with its London office it serves UK and international clients. Managing partner Roger Bull said that practice had built up "a good client base", and having a permanently staffed Edinburgh office was "a new evolution to our model".

The launch would enable the firm to support its "growing client base and longstanding Scottish practice", and provide "plenty of opportunity to grow the office here". The firm would be seeking to recruit to cover further practice areas.

Alison Atack, President of the Law Society of Scotland, commented: "It’s great to see Burges Salmon open their new office in Edinburgh and add to the vibrancy of Scotland’s legal services sector. The sector has undergone significant change in recent years, bringing both challenges and new opportunities, and there are more Scottish solicitors practising than ever before.

"This new venture demonstrates the firm’s commitment to their existing Scottish client base and confidence in their future growth in Scotland. I wish them every success for the future."