Possessing a team of ‘highly commercial and pragmatic lawyers’ who are ‘real catalysts to delivering successful deals’, Addleshaw Goddard has consolidated its strong position in the Scottish market through the hire of former Dentons duo Derek McCombe and Iain Sutherland towards the close of 2023, who bring established expertise in M&A, private equity, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. The pair join the practice, which is renowned for its leading private equity and capital markets offering, as well as its broad sector focus that includes a significant volume of healthcare, tech, food and drink, and energy mandates. David Anderson leads the team and is well placed to advise on an array of cross-border instructions, especially in the tech and fintech space. Murray Jack‘s practice straddles M&A and private equity and sees a steady stream of instructions from investors engaging with the pharma sector. ‘Stand-out partner‘ Laura Falls chiefly focuses on private equity deals, while David Kirchin has recently been active on retail, consumer and financial services transactions. Anna Brown handles PE investments, secondary placings, and joint venture agreements, and Andrew Ley is noted for his work in the food and drink and energy sectors. Sarah Dick is ‘a fantastic lawyer who continually delivers ahead of expectations’. Maeve Wright and Kevin Beattie are also recommended for their support on a range of deals.

Lauded for providing ‘an outstanding level of advice to clients’, Brodies LLP is equipped to advise on key domestic and international mandates, with extensive activity pertaining to M&A in the financial services, tech, life sciences, and food and drink sectors. The firm also handles a range of investment deals, fundraising and investment rounds, conversions, and disposals and exits. Group lead Neil Burgess is ‘exceptional’ across the full gamut of corporate and commercial work, handling substantial M&A, PE, joint ventures, and corporate governance and restructuring instructions. William Mcintosh is the primary contact for many of the firm’s European and US buyout house and fund mandates, and Derek Stroud counts Scottish Enterprise as a key client. David Lightbody has a proven track record in M&A and PE transactions in the food and drink and healthcare sectors. Duncan Cathie is widely praised for the ‘expertise, dedication and communication skills’ he displays throughout the lifecycle of a deal, while Alasdair Dunn‘s venture capital and early start-up work is a growing feature of his broad practice. Shuna Stirling is noted for her corporate real estate expertise, and Paul Breen focuses on company law.

‘Clearly experts in the field’, Burness Paull LLP helms high-profile deals for a mix of leading clients. Corporate instructions remain at the forefront of the group’s portfolio of work, chiefly multi-national restructurings, acquisitions, investments and disposals, with a notable focus on the financial services and tech sectors. The firm’s deep bench of advisers is headed up by Mark Ellis whose deep expertise in private equity deals is frequently sought out by a range of investors and portfolio companies. PE specialist David Davidson and capital markets expert Chris Gotts are key advisers to both public and private companies, while Peter Lawson‘s UK-wide practice spans significant internal restructurings and major public takeovers. Catriona Macallan oversees complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions in the healthcare sector, whereas Edward Hunter demonstrates activity in the hospitality, leisure and sport spaces. Walter Clark brings a ‘pragmatic’ mindset to a variety of M&A, PE and joint venture mandates with the ability to ‘always quickly get to the crux of the matter’. Paul Scullion adds further venture capital capabilities and has a notable roster of private equity clients. Robert Burns handles a range of corporate transactions for business and family offices, and Caroline Stevenson lends key financial services regulatory acumen to deals.

Frequently instructed by global energy conglomerates, international funds, and multinational tech giants, Pinsent Masons LLP excels in the energy sector, particularly oil and gas mandates, where the team handles substantial acquisitions, disposals, investments and joint ventures, often spanning multiple jurisdictions. Real estate and financial services work is another key facet of the group’s recent activity, as well as initial seed capital and angel investing-related mandates. Barry McCaig, who chairs the practice, is consistently sought out by private equity houses and target companies for his expertise in investor and investee-side transactions. Rosalie Chadwick’s practice is concentrated on the oil and gas sector, where she oversees complex, multifaceted M&A deals, as well as capital markets work; and the ‘forensic’ Alan Diamond is praised for his approach to the full gamut of corporate mandates. Kevin Devanny is well positioned to act on M&A and PE deals in the infrastructure and real estate sectors, and Graeme Stapleton focuses on the technology and energy sectors. Heather Hutcheon and Jennifer White also come recommended.

As ‘one of the top corporate and commercial practices in Scotland’, CMS manages and negotiates a range of transactions including M&A, PE, venture capital and capital markets work. The firm has a UK-wide portfolio of deals, handling the investment, operation and exit pieces of blockbuster deals, as well as possessing a specialist commercial practice that regularly works in tandem with the corporate offering. Frank Fowlie heads up the practice from Aberdeen, and Helen Gillies and Jack Letson handle proceedings from Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively. The ‘stand-out’ Gillies is praised for her ‘strong business mind and strategic perspective’ across a range of industries and is well-equipped to handle M&A, management buy-outs and venture capital transactions, while Letson brings further expertise in cross-border joint ventures and public company takeovers. Bruce Harvie works for a wide variety of investment vehicles and early-stage venture capitalists, whereas Kate Darracott is chiefly noted for her equity capital markets and US securities acumen. Robbie Somerville is also key name to note. Graeme Bruce retired in 2023.

Shepherd and Wedderburn combines a wide corporate offering with a broad sector approach, handling M&A, public company takeovers, PE work, reorganisations and restructurings, and business scheme transfers and employee incentive plan variations. Some of the firm’s high-profile deals have been centred on the tech sector, while continued activity in the energy and food and drink space is also evident – the latter of which is an area of expertise for ‘pragmatic and professional’ team lead George Frier. Stephen Trombola has extensive experience handling M&A and equity capital markets work, as well as investor and investee-side PE transactions. John Morrison notably receives instructions in the renewables space, whereas Tom Swan stands out for his work on company petitions. Rodger Cairns provides further capabilities to the firm’s offering through his executive compensation and corporate governance skills.

BTO Solicitors LLP demonstrates notable activity across M&A, PE issues, management buyouts, fund raisings, and capital markets work, as well as handling a solid volume of Employee Ownership Trusts mandates. Energy and property developers form a core component of the firm’s varied client roster, and the group has seen a notable uptick in inbound and outbound cross-border instructions. Scott Wyper leads the group and is noted for his engagement with M&A, investments, joint ventures and shareholder exits, especially within the renewables space. Jeremy Glen possesses similar experience working for shareholders and also has corporate restructuring expertise. Emma Barclay is highly valued by corporates, investors and funders due to her balanced corporate, commercial and financing practice. Michael Cox and Hilary Malone take supporting roles across an array of matters.

Burges Salmon LLP‘s corporate and commercial offering is ‘very good at working across different legal disciplines and teams within the firm’, and is a consistent player in the energy, tech and food and drink sectors, with increased work in the life sciences space. The firm has established connections to a multitude of local authorities, as well as PE houses and multinational corporates. Danny Lee heads up the practice and is a go-to name for energy and infrastructure developers and investors on M&A, investments and disposals. Malcolm Donald is another practitioner of note for renewable energy and energy transition mandates, and underpins corporate expertise with key commercial and regulatory acumen. Joanna Monaghan‘s wide sector offering ensures she is sought out by a multitude of clients and is well positioned to act on both buy-side and sell-side M&A. Katie Carter also comes recommended for her varied practice. AJ Venter joined from Travers Smith LLP in May 2023.

With an ‘experienced and timely’ team that provides ‘practical advice and strong knowledge across sectors’, Dentons is experienced in handling a variety of premium cross-border and UK mandates that requires M&A, PE, venture capital and joint venture counsel. The practice has expanded its remit with listed funds and asset managers, and works with clients on a growing portfolio of impact investing and major company takeovers. Team leader Brian Moore has an extensive track record in cross-border instructions, as well as public and private M&A and equity capital markets work. Claire Armstrong is a go-to name for investment funds and oversees investments in a multitude of sectors, especially the energy, infrastructure and financial services industries. Adam Knowles is equipped to act on private M&A and private equity matters, and Owen McLennan is another name of note for funds work. Diana Mennie is recommended for her ability to advise on early-stage venture capital transactions and is well versed in the tech sector, while Paul Flynn has a strong transactional and advisory offering. Iain Sutherland  and Derek McCombe left the firm to join Addleshaw Goddard in October 2023.

Private equity deals remain the cornerstone of the corporate and commercial practice at DWF, with a seasoned team catering to a diverse client list comprising specialised investors, asset managers, and investment and national development banks. Notable sectors of focus encompass the technology, consumer goods, sports, and financial services industries. Paul Pignatelli acts on M&A and private equity transactions and maintains close contact with a number of premium domestic sporting bodies. Gary MacDonald is an active presence across the firm’s key sectors, and Gemma Gallagher is the chief contact for asset managers. Graham Tait and Siobhan McKenna handle M&A, PE, capital markets and joint venture deals, and Hope Donnachie is a crucial supporting presence across a broad array of client instructions. Jonathan Kirkwood has added further energy-focused M&A expertise since joining from Pinsent Masons LLP in January 2024.

Harper Macleod LLP ‘has a tight knit team that works closely together to give a first-rate service’ to a broad range of large and listed businesses seeking counsel on domestic and cross-border M&A and other corporate transactions. The firm receives a steady stream of instructions from the public sector and has also seen an uptick of work in the tech, health, life sciences and finance sectors. Team lead Donnie Munro advises across M&A, PE, joint ventures and group reorganisations, while Paula Skinner is a leading figure in the firm’s early stage growth offering. Chris Kerr has wide sector breadth and is reputed for his family office work, while James MacGregor has recently been active on M&A, exits and reorganisations. Jo Nisbet provides corporate and commercial capabilities to high-growth companies, and Stephen Chan handles corporate and corporate finance instructions, while Scott Kerr acts on both M&A and IP mandates. Ross Hampsey, Rachel Miele and Paul MacDonald are also recommended.

As a ‘very strong team with comprehensive knowledge of both English and Scottish relevant law’, Morton Fraser MacRoberts is regularly sought out by multinational corporates and private equity outfits for its expertise in handling substantial M&A, corporate restructurings, and joint ventures. The energy, logistics, and professional services sectors are big generators of instructions, as well as the healthcare space, where the firm has received an increased stream of equity investments and M&A deals. Team lead Alan Kelly is a trusted adviser and ‘safe pair of hands’ for a variety of public and private entities and is equally proficient across corporate and corporate finance mandates. Paul Geoghegan has recently been particularly active in the professional services sector, and Michael Kelly and Gary Baines have focused on sell-side and buy-side M&A, respectively. David Wylie heads up the firm’s healthcare group and regularly engages with M&A and PE deals in this space, while Bonar Mercer was promoted to partner in 2023.

Praised for its ‘strength in-depth’ and ‘knowledge in its specialist sectors’, TLT has a wide offering that is particularly well geared to act on employee ownership transfers and transactions in the energy sector. The firm is also active on overseas investment deals into the Scottish real estate and infrastructure market, as well as M&A, private equity, and joint ventures in the accountancy, retail and manufacturing spaces. Helming the practice is Damien Bechelli, who is active on the full range of corporate and corporate finance matters as well as extensive venture capital work. Douglas Roberts – who joined the practice from Lindsays in February 2023 – ‘offers fantastic guidance’ to a broad roster of clients and is singled out for his expertise in employee ownership transactions. Kirsty Smith presides over domestic and cross-border M&A and private equity deals.

‘Service focused, always accessible and very focused on building long term partnerships’, Anderson Strathern acts for a substantial roster of private equity houses and angel investors, which frequently seek out the firm for counsel on corporate investment transactions; the group also works for early stage and high-growth companies on capital-raisings and inbound investment mandates. Group lead Simon Brown is equally well equipped to handle corporate and commercial instructions, while Euan Tripp is the chief lead for investor clients and has a wealth of experience acting in the hospitality and real estate sectors. Bruce Farquhar‘s practice largely concentrates on energy-related transactions.

Davidson Chalmers Stewart has an extensive corporate offering, acting on a wide array of sectors for corporates, investors, and investee-companies on M&A, restructurings, and capital raises. Helming the practice is Craig Stirling, who demonstrates notable expertise in the healthcare and renewable energy sector where he advises on M&A and private equity transactions. Fiona Piper provides ‘exceptionally good advice and support’ to clients, particularly those in the early growth stage and seeking equity funding, while Arveen Arabshahi has recently engaged with a number of biotech and tech-related matters.

DLA Piper is routinely instructed by a strong roster of multinational corporates and investors across a variety of sectors, particularly the financial services, energy, tech and consumer goods industries. The firm has a broad corporate offering and has recently been active on global reorganisations, acquisitions and disposals, and equity fund rounds and debt refinancings. Head of the team Simon Rae regularly handles transactions that span the UK and beyond and is well reputed for his public and private M&A and private equity expertise. Promoted to legal director in 2023, Callum Swanson provides advice to clients regarding private equity, early stage financing, and fund raising matters, while Andrew Wardrop brings further capabilities in corporate reorganisations.

The corporate and commercial team at Lindsays attracts instructions from UK and international corporates, private investors and financial institutions, with a growing portfolio of early stage venture capital mandates, advising both active investors and companies seeking funding. Notable sectors of focus include the healthcare, tech, and professional services spaces. Practice head David Wood has a core focus on M&A, while also regularly engaging with commercial mandates pertaining to IP. Peter Tweedie is well regarded for his strength acting on M&A in the retail and hospitality sectors, whereas Ian Mitchell is particularly accomplished at private equity and venture capital transactions. Nick Howie, who joined from Anderson Strathern in September 2023, is ‘excellent at dealing with tricky or complex issues’. Alastair Smith is also recommended.

As ‘an excellent firm with a highly experienced corporate and commercial team’, Macdonald Henderson handles work for clients across a multitude of sectors, advising on M&A and management buyouts, partnerships and joint ventures, and investments and capital raises. Team lead David Beveridge is lauded for his ‘exceptional proficiency in navigating complex corporate transactions’ and showcases acute skill handling M&A, corporate finance issues and shareholder disputes. Co-lead Laura McKnight is ‘a highly capable corporate and employment lawyer’, providing excellent advice across M&A, corporate governance, and commercial contracts. Emily Glen-Hencher ‘is quick to get a commercial understanding of the transactions she gets involved in’ and supports a range of acquisitions, disposals and management buyouts, while Ryan Macready is noted for his well-balanced corporate and commercial practice.

MBM Commercial has a concentrated focus on high growth companies and investors, particular in the tech sector, and the team acts across early stage investments, development and operational issues, and exit instructions, with a growing portfolio of UK-wide and cross border mandates. Helming the practice is Tracey Ginn, who is a driving force behind the firm’s expanding US offering, working with a number of entrepreneurial clients on increased exposure and investment from North America. Stuart Hendry is a key name for M&A, PE investments, and capital raisings. Alexander Lamley and Laura Peachey were promoted to partner in August 2023, and Laura Donald supports a broad array of client instructions. Simon Hart has added experience working with funds on cross-border transactions since arriving from Shoosmiths in January 2024.

Providing an ‘excellent service’ with ‘attention to detail and commercial awareness’, Shoosmiths covers M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions across a range of sectors, with established strength in the tech, life sciences and sports sectors as well as continued engagement in the start-up community. Alison Gilson leads the team and is well geared to act on a variety of domestic and cross-border corporate transactions and capital raises. Kimberley Goh demonstrates ‘exceptional guidance’ when navigating clients through commercial negotiations and is lauded for her ‘granular attention to detail and measured and pro-active approach’, while Jen Paton, who handles M&A and venture capital deals, supports clients at a national level.

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP has a strong corporate and commercial offering, acting for established multinational corporates on M&A and joint ventures alongside PE outfits and angel investors on early-stage growth opportunities. The firm demonstrates a proven track record in the healthcare sector – an area in which team lead Colin Millar is particularly strong – and also receives a number of employee ownership transfer instructions. Ken Long is active in the tech sector and is sought out by corporates and angel syndicates, while Angus MacLeod is reputed for his M&A and commercial contracts work. Alison Marshall is praised for ‘going the extra mile’ for clients when advising on corporate and commercial instructions across the energy, healthcare, manufacturing and professional services sectors. Stephen Grant is valued for his tech and data protection acumen, while Emma Arcari is skilled in commercial contracts.

Bellwether Green provides a ‘first-class service’ to a multitude of industry players and private equity houses across a range of sectors, with a broad corporate and commercial offering that spans management and employee buyouts, mergers and de-mergers, and employee ownership trust transfers. As an ‘outstanding example of a strong corporate lawyer’, team lead and firm co-founder April Bingham ‘has built a solid practice with a demonstrable list of quality deals’, with notable activity handling M&A and PE transactions in the energy, engineering, and food and drink sectors. Stephanie Farrell focuses on corporate instructions for SMEs and is key adviser on start-up and capital raising mandates.

Blackadders LLP acts on a range of corporate and commercial matters, most notably M&A, restructurings, and fundraising rounds for food and drink and healthcare sector clients. Peter Duff heads up the practice from Glasgow and is well positioned to act on corporate instructions arising from the life sciences, healthcare and tech space, while also possessing the ability to handle commercial issues for an extensive roister of family-owned businesses. Alfonso Castro and Ethan Laing support on the firm's wide body of work.

Praised as ‘extremely thorough with exceptional attention to detail’, Gillespie Macandrew LLP has experience handling transactions, capital raisings and debt financings, and major corporate restructurings. Energy, rural and commercial property, and tech-related M&A and early stage investment mandates continue to be a core part of the firm’s book of work. Spearheading the practice is Chris Gibson who is active on both public and private M&A and has a roster of clients including both established corporates and early stage companies. Alan Gilfillan joined from Balfour+Manson LLP in July 2023 and is particularly active in the charity sector.

Weightmans LLP‘s team has an impressive range of corporate and commercial capabilities, handling M&A, management buyouts, equity investments, reorganisations, contracts and licensing agreements. The firm has a notable roster of clients in the healthcare sector, as well as a strong mix of corporates, funds, and financial institutions. Claire McCracken leads the team and is noted for her far-reaching practice that includes M&A, PE and general corporate work, often on an multi-national scale. Nicola Gonnella is the lead on commercial instructions and is particularly valued for her tech and sport expertise.