Immigration practice McGill & Co joins Burness Paull

Burness Paull has added a high profile immigration team to its ranks as Grace McGill and her team from boutique immigration practice McGill & Co join the commercial firm.

They combine with Burness Paull's immigration practice, established by partner Jamie Kerr three years ago this month. Ms McGill becomes head of Immigration as part of the move. McGill & Co has now closed for business.

Peter Lawson, chair at Burness Paull, commented: “A combination of geopolitical effects resulting from Brexit and the pandemic is remaking the immigration law landscape.

“It’s a global issue that requires experience, vision and flexibility to navigate, and Grace brings these qualities in abundance. 

“She is regarded as the top immigration lawyer in the market and her desire to join Burness Paull is a major coup for us.

“Grace’s strong international connections, particularly in Houston where she was based for a spell, are aligned to our own international objectives and will enable us to better serve the buoyant US markets we already have clients in.”

Grace McGill, who becomes Head of Immigration at Burness Paull, added: “With borders closed during the pandemic there was a significant impact on immigration instructions. The opportunities have not disappeared but are simply backed up, with changes to rules regarding movement of skilled workers also creating new opportunities.

“The way certain individuals and indeed entire industries work has changed significantly and we will see global migration increase at an accelerated rate as people start to move more fluidly for job opportunities.”