The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Duo step up to new roles leading law firm growth
Handover: Solicitors build on strong track record as new generation at top
Scottish law firm Burness Paull has announced that two solicitors at the helm of the company will step down later this year.
Current chairman Philip Rodney and managing partner Ian Wattie, who have served more than 12 years in their respective posts, will be replaced in August by Peter Lawson and Tamar Tammes respectively.
Both trained at Burness Paull, and the firm says each has a proven track record.
Mr Lawson currently leads the company’s corporate department, while Ms Tammes is head of the firm’s property and infrastructure department.
The pair will lead a three-year growth plan, building on the firm’s business in Scotland, the UK and internationally.
Mr Rodney will leave the firm to pursue a number of personal projects, while Mr Wattie will remain at the company in a strategic consultancy role for the next 12 months to help finalise the delivery of a number of key projects.
The handover follows a year-long shadowing pro- cess which the company says was designed to ensure a “seamless transition with clarity of succession for both clients and staff ”.
Mr Lawson said: “Philip and Ian have led the firm through a transformational process and will leave their roles with the firm in great shape. It is an exciting time for the firm, which has a very clear growth strategy.
“Our absolute focus is on delivering success for our clients. We have an outstandingly talented team at Burness Paull and Tamar and I will look to empower a new generation of leaders within the firm as it enters the next chapter in its development.”
Ms Tammes added: “It has been an exceptionally busy year so far. The firm has been named the top dealmaker in Scotland three years running and we have won awards in our IP, tech and employment practices in the past 12 months. Over 40% of our work is now international, and we have recently become the sole UK-headquartered member of Lex Mundi – the world’s leading network of independent law firms. That puts us in a unique position to ensure our clients get the best possible advice and support for their businesses. Peter and I are incredibly fired up about leading the team and embracing advances in technology and working practices to deliver further success.”