Scottish commercial law firm, Burness Paull is optimistic about the future, as it makes a raft of appointments and partner promotions that underpin its ambitious strategy.

Jody Crockett joins as partner in the firm’s dispute resolution team. A former Burness Paull associate, Jody spent the last six years working with London-based magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Jody is qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales, and Scotland, and focusses on litigation, resolving cross-border corporate/ commercial disputes. He is also experienced in international arbitration and mediation.

Five internal partner promotions include Joanna Fulton, who specialises in product liability, where Burness Paull is seen as a leading firm. Qualified in Scotland, England and Hong Kong, Joanna also advises on cross-border disputes and plays a key role in driving the firm’s international strategy with a particular focus on developing business in China.

Lindsay Wallace is promoted to partner and also becomes the firm’s first general counsel. A corporate lawyer who has worked in both private practice and in industry, Lindsay has a wide range of experience in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, commercial contracts, intellectual property and the resolution of material contract disputes. Lindsay was previously Burness Paull’s director of knowledge and risk management.

Graeme Bradshaw, a key member of the property team also becomes partner. Graeme has considerable expertise, knowledge and relationships within the commercial development and retail/leisure sectors. With a particular interest and focus on the opportunities and challenges that technology will bring to the retail environment, he will drive this growing area of business.

Andrew Christie becomes a partner in the firm’s banking and funds practice. The 20+ strong funds team is Scotland’s leading private funds practice. With extensive experience of fund structuring, establishment and closing, Andrew will play a key role in advising private equity houses, City and US firms, and other international clients. He will also continue to build on his significant fund finance experience driving Burness Paull’s relationships with both borrowers and lenders and City and overseas firms in relation to fund finance transactions.

Graeme Palmer is promoted to partner. With a UK-wide profile in public procurement and state aid law. He has extensive experience in advising public and private sector bodies on a wide range of procurement and state aid law matters – including major wins on recent procurement challenges. Brexit and the free trade deals which the UK Government is intending to secure will increase complexity in a rapidly changing legal environment. In an already busy practice area, Graeme is seeing increased demand from clients seeking specialist advice to address emerging issues.

Other appointments also see Claire Macpherson joining the firm’s private capital team as director. Claire brings with her extensive experience in tax and succession law, focusing on estate planning including inheritance tax, capital gains tax and income tax for UK and international clients.

Burness Paull chairman, Philip Rodney said: ’Our recent promotions demonstrate the depth of talent that is being nurtured through our leadership development programme and our ability to attract top talent from other firms. Each of our new partners will play a key role in developing their own areas of expertise, as well as in the firm’s ambitious growth plans.’

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