The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Legal firms reshaping specialist energy teams
One of the north-east oil and gas industry’s top lawyers, Bruce McLeod, has become a partner in the Aberdeen office of legal firm Pinsent Masons.
He has joined the firm from Burness Paull and previously worked for Granite City-based Paull and Williamsons – before its merger with Burness which created Burness Paull.
Prior to joining Paull and Williamsons in 2003, the oil and gas specialist acquired eight years’ commercial and legal experience with BP.
Mr McLeod started his career with Ledingham Chalmers, becoming an associate of the Granite City-based firm, after graduating from Aberdeen University.
His move to Pinsent comes just a few months after the firm lost another leading Aberdeen-based oil and gas lawyer, Bob Ruddiman, to Burness Paul. Renowned dealmaker Rosalie Chadwick recently joined Pinsent as its new global head of oil and gas, replacing Mr Ruddiman.
Announcing Mr McLeod’s appointment, Melanie Grimmitt, Pinsent’s Leeds-based global head of energy, said: “With his sector approach and international outlook, Bruce brings the right expertise and know-how.
“He is an extremely well-regarded and hands-on lawyer in the oil and gas space.”
Mr McLeod said: “Pinsent Mason’s global energy team has an excellent reputation across M&A (mergers and acquisitions), capital markets, financing, and projects.
“That breadth and scale is becoming increasingly important to clients.”
Richard Scott, partner and head of Pinsent’s Aberdeen office, said: “His commercial and legal experience is a very welcome addition to our established team, and he will be a great asset.”