Top lawyers supporting Scotland’s oil and gas industry recognised

The report highlights the work of many of the top lawyers supporting the Scottish oil and gas industry.

Jamie Stark, who heads up the Aberdeen team at Burness Paull, is praised for his work with director Gary Chapman on Peak Well Systems’ acquisition of Xtreme Innovation, and also the sale of the combined business to Schlumberger.

Mr Stark also advised shareholders of north-east firm Ace Winches on a £10 million equity investment by Balmoral Group, of Aberdeen.

In another key oil and gas deal, Burness Paull’s Alasdair Freeman worked with others to advise Sterling Resources on the £127m sale of its UK subsidiary.

Frank Fowlie, of CMS, is hailed in the report for leading a team which advised FTI Consulting on the administration and sale of Iona Energy Company to Decipher Energy.

The report says Pinsent Masons has a “particularly strong offering” in oil and gas, with its team acting for clients including Zennor Petroleum, KCA Deutag, Superior Energy Group and DNO Norge.

It singles out Pinsent’s Martin Ewan for his work advising Baker Hughes on its acquisition of Caledyne, adding: “Legal director Jonathan Kirkwood is another name to note in the team, which saw Roger Connon step down as a partner to become head of oil and gas at the firm’s legal resourcing business, Vario.”

Blackwood Partners’ “particularly strong track record” in the sector and “outstanding reputation” in Aberdeen was thanks, in no small part to the efforts of managing partner Alastair Wyper and his team, the report says.

Richard Scott, partner and head of Aberdeen office at Pinsent, which received 21 “tier one” rankings across a range of specialist categories, said the Legal 500 report showed the north east business community was well served.