Dentons has experience working with financiers and borrowers, demonstrating a ‘very wide range of expertise’ and a ’commercially aware and pragmatic’ approach towards transactions. Cross-border deals continue to be a major aspect of the group’s work, as well as real-estate centred mandates; the team attract instructions from notable corporates and global investors. Stuart Fitzsimmons heads up the practice and excels at asset-based lending and investment trust work. Susan Kelly is a seasoned adviser across a wealth of sectors and acts for a host of clearing banks and notable industry players. James Wilson is a key contact for real estate finance work, active on leveraged finance, fund finance, and restructuring mandates, as well as Shariah-compliant structures. Lorna Henderson has recently focused on borrower and lender instructions in the food and drink and real estate sectors, while Kirsty McBirnie works alongside real estate investors and investment trusts. Pamela Gilmour joined from Pinsent Masons LLP in November 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The practice has sufficient depth and strength that it can cope with all our requests. But at the same time is not so huge so we are just another client. We have built up a relationship with our key contacts.'
  • 'The team at Dentons has a very wide range of expertise. They are technically strong, commercially aware and pragmatic in their approach.'

Key clients

  • The 1887 Company Limited
  • Permian Industries Limited
  • Card Factory plc
  • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
  • Sigma Capital Group Limited
  • Scottish National Investment Bank plc
  • Abrdn Global Private Markets Fund
  • HSBC Bank plc
  • 3i Group plc
  • Harwood Private Capital

Work highlights

  • Acted as lead counsel for The 1887 Company Limited in relation to its refinancing with a club of banks.
  • Advised Scottish National Investment Bank on providing additional funding to Aberdeen Harbour Board in connection with its development of new port facilities in the north-east of Scotland.
  • Acted in relation to the acquisition and partial refinance of jam maker Mackay's Limited by Canadian company Permian Industries Limited.

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.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Stuart Fitzsimmons

Other key lawyers

Susan Kelly, James Wilson, Lorna Henderson, Kirsty McBirnie, Pamela Gilmour