In 2018, Burges Salmon’s new leadership team rolled-out an ambitious three-year growth strategy. Through the firm’s relentless focus on client service and the rigorous implementation of its sector approach, Burges Salmon has over the past year been appointed by some of the UK’s largest organisations as well as receiving multiple awards and accolades.
The first two years of this strategic plan have seen the successful delivery of a number of the firm’s key goals including increased revenue (from a range of key sector groups and core practices), the opening of its Edinburgh office, significant growth of international work and also progress in relation to various critical people-focused projects.
It is against this backdrop that the firm is delighted to have been shortlisted in the following three categories at the forthcoming Legal Week British Legal Awards 2020:
1. UK Law Firm of the Year
This category is open to UK-based law firms and to be shortlisted, firms were required to demonstrate to judges in their entries that they are not only leaders in their chosen markets, but that they have made significant progress over the past 12 - 18 months.
In its submission, the firm demonstrated evidence of its strategic vision, legal expertise & innovation, client successes, client care, employee development, sustainable improvements in financial performance and a commitment to CSR/Responsible Business.
Managing Partner, Roger Bull, says: 'To be shortlisted in this category is a significant achievement, which is recognition of the efforts of all our people. It is fantastic to receive industry acknowledgment of this calibre, particularly at this time, and I would like to thank all of our people for their ongoing commitment and hard work that has made this possible.'
2. Energy and Infrastructure Team of the Year
The firm has been shortlisted in this category for its work advising Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government on the transfer of the Core Valley Lines railway network from Network Rail to TfW, and the installation of Amey/Keolis as its new infrastructure manager.
Led by Infrastructure and Transport sector partners Brioney Thomas and Philip Beer, the team advised on all legal aspects of this ground-breaking project including rail regulations, commercial contracts, real estate, pensions, employment, health & safety and environmental issues.
TfW’s Rail Operations Director, Alexia Course, comments: 'Burges Salmon deployed a very experienced team with deep UK railway, commercial and regulatory expertise, including experience of working with many of industry stakeholders. This expertise spanned: property; projects; contracts; litigation; regulation to infrastructure management. Their experience enabled the identification and active resolution of various key commercial and legal issues, and for TfW and WM to be fully appraised of risks throughout the transfer process. Burges Salmon were able to add value through rapidly deploying experienced lawyers to address the numerous complexities in successfully negotiating the various commercial agreements, including providing TfW with industry insights to enable value-for-money solutions to be agreed.'
3. Private Equity Team of the Year
This shortlisting has been awarded through the firm’s Private Investment Funds team advising on the establishment of a new UK-based private equity/venture capital investment manager and twin funds, focused on assisting commercialisation of the UK’s Life Sciences and Medical Sciences sector.
This year’s awards will be held as an online virtual event and winners will be announced at a ceremony taking place on Thursday 19 November.
For more information, please visit The British Legal Awards website.