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.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Excellent, joined up thinking across all team members whether dealing with corporate transactions, structuring areas or employment related matters.'

  • ‘Very focused on getting commercial structures and challenges right ahead of working out how to document from a legal perspective. Helen Dickson, our client relationship partner is excellent at thinking through all permutations for each transaction.’

  • ‘Helen Dickson helped us with some corporate/banking work. She was very knowledgeable in a complex area and was more than a match for the City firm that we were up against. She was straightforward to deal with and had a no nonsense approach.'

  • ‘Good partner involvement in work. Very good market knowledge - particularly of Aberdeen oil and gas and emerging low carbon energy space.’

  • ‘Helen Dickson has a keen eye for detail, sound legal capabilities, deep experience and a very high EQ which sets her apart from many other partners operating in this space.'

  • 'Alasdair Freeman is very sharp and remarkably dexterous when asked to respond in a short timeframe.’

Key clients

  • ASCO
  • Baker Hughes
  • Weatherford
  • National Oilwell Varco inc
  • PLUG AS
  • Starn Energy Services
  • Sword Charteris Limited
  • Archer Assets UK
  • James Fisher and Sons plc
  • Highland Fuels
  • COFRA AG

Work highlights

  • Acted for the management of Zander Topco Limited in relation to the sale the company and the whole group to the private equity firm Endless.
  • Acted for Highland Fuels in relation to transferring shares to an employee ownership trust.
  • Acted for Baker Hughes in relation to the sale of its Montrose machining facility to AME International.

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.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Helen Dickson, Alasdair Freeman

Other key lawyers

Jennifer Rae, Andrew Lyndon