Burness mulls over Aberdeen expansion

CENTRAL Belt law firm Burness is aiming for expansion into Aberdeen as the practice looks to build on this year’s 14 per cent rise in profits.

The Edinburgh-based firm, which already has an office in Glasgow, is considering whether to make an acquisition or build its own office from scratch in the Granite City.

Chairman Philip Rodney said: “Aberdeen is an obvious market for us to move into. We’re definitely looking at it. Having invested in the quality of the firm, we cannot afford for any new offices not to meet the same standard, whether they are acquisitions or openings. You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find the right one.”

Running the rule over Aberdeen forms part of Burness’s next five-year strategic review, which will be kicked-off at a partners’ meeting on 11 November.

The firm already has clients in the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors in the North-east, including London-listed SeaEnergy.

Opening an Aberdeen office would place Burness in the footsteps of Edinburgh-based rival Brodies, which moved into the city in January. But all firms coming into the area face stiff competition from established players, including Ledingham Chalmers and Paull & Williamsons.

Rodney, who has been chairman of the firm since 2005, said the review would also re-open the debate about whether it needs a London office.

“Not moving into the London market has served us well so far,” argued Rodney. “It means we’ve been able to concentrate on building the quality of our Scottish offices and has given us a good relationship with English firms because we’re not direct rivals.”

November’s strategic review will not only concentrate on geographical spread but will also consider the areas of law in which the firm practices and the services offered to its clients.

Rodney added: “As a litigator, I’ve seen a switch in the way we work. Instead of just representing a client for a court action, we’re going and offering them advice, sitting in on board meetings rather than just taking instructions.”