Welcome to Burness Paull.
Proudly based in Scotland, we work with leading organisations across the UK and internationally.
Clients tell us they appreciate the breadth of our legal expertise, the depth of our talent and, crucially, the down-to-earth personality of our people.
It is our single most important point of difference - a human and high-performing culture that permeates all that we do.
As a truly independent law firm operating in a fast-moving and challenging global landscape, we have complete license to shape our culture and determine our values in a way that sustainably supports the needs of our people, our clients, our wider community and the environment.
Surpassing expectations is what drives us more than any other benchmark.
We look forward to exceeding yours.
Leadership
Peter Lawson - Chair
As chair of Burness Paull, Peter Lawson leads the firm’s strategy board in addition to advising clients on complex corporate transactions.
Peter directs Burness Paull’s successful strategic growth plan and international strategy. He is a passionate champion of client listening and drives the firm’s response to client service and ESG agendas.
His client-facing role sees Peter provide valuable commercial guidance to boards and business owners on sophisticated public and private M&A work.
Peter’s outstanding track record in deal-making is reflected in his listing as a member of the Legal 500 Hall of Fame and band 1 ranking in Chambers Legal Directory
Mark Ellis - Managing Partner
Mark is Burness Paull’s managing partner. Together with the chair, he sets and leads the delivery of the firm’s ambitious growth strategy.
He is a leading private equity and M&A lawyer who advises investors, management teams and corporates.
Mark trained with the firm and worked in the City of London with Hogan Lovells and Travers Smith before rejoining us as a partner. He is recognised as a leading individual by Legal 500 and ranked band one by Chambers & Partners.
Our Ethos
Our Human & High-Performing culture celebrates the individuality, openness and sustainability at the heart of the firm, and creates an environment in which everyone is able to do their best work. We use our individuality and diversity as strengths, values which are at the very heart of shaping how we do business.
The qualities that create our Human & High-Performing culture:
INDEPENDENT
Our independence means we have complete license to shape the culture of the firm. It gives us the ability to support our clients, our people, our communities and the environment in ways that deliver genuine value.
ADAPTABLE
Always open to new ways of working that best serve our clients and people, we are a firm that always seeks to go above and beyond - not just offer the same old answers.
MINDFUL
We’re aware of our impact on the world and each other. This means a commitment to maintaining a culture in which everyone is encouraged to play their part in making Burness Paull a respectful, inclusive and diverse place to work. We strive to achieve the highest standards of conduct, professionalism and ethics.
CONNECTED
We’re not just connected internationally, we use technology and the partnerships we have formed across industry sectors and communities to ensure we have our fingers on the pulse at all levels.
PERSONABLE
A distinct people quality. We are talented and high-performing, but always down-to-earth, unpretentious and a pleasure to work with.
TENACIOUS
We believe in a personal commitment to excellence, driven by a desire to be the very best. In seizing opportunities and spotting problems where others don’t - an environment where genuine commercial advice and relationships are championed.
Responsible Business
We have a responsibility to our people, our clients and our communities, and we take that seriously.
It’s a given that we comply with all applicable laws as well as the professional obligations we have as a firm of solicitors. But we go much further.
Our focus is on delivering success for our clients. In doing so, we strive to achieve the highest standards of conduct, professionalism and ethics.
We have achieved ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus certification and actively participate in the combat against money laundering through the strictest AML procedures.
We are committed to working with suppliers to our business who operate in a sustainable manner and this commitment is set out in our Sustainable Procurement policy and supported by our procurement policies and procedures. This policy outlines the requirement of staff to engage with suppliers on their environmental credentials and encourage environmental best practices.
We publicly declare our commitment to ensuring modern slavery and human trafficking are not occurring in our business or in our supply chain. Our Modern Slavery Statement is published every year, and can be found here.
Our Code of Business covers more detail on these standards and is publicly available.