The firm has been named ‘UK Law Firm of the Year’ and ‘Energy and Infrastructure Team of the Year’ at The Legal Week British Legal Awards 2020.
IN 2018, building on an already strong foundation, Burges Salmon’s new leadership team rolled out an ambitious three-year growth strategy, maintaining its independence underpinned by a distinctive culture.
Through the firm’s relentless focus on client delivery and the 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), creating a unique client proposition in Scotland, innovating around client service, delivering a client-led international model, driving responsible business, prioritising diversity and inclusion and focusing on talent-development.
Roger Bull, managing partner of Burges Salmon, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been named UK Law Firm of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2020.
“I would like to thank all of our wonderful people. Without their passion, drive, determination and certainly, this year their resilience, we simply wouldn’t have been able to deliver on so many of our key strategic objectives. We’ve been doing brilliant things at the firm for many years and perhaps in the past this has gone under the radar. So to receive this award, which recognises the commitment of everyone across the firm to make a real difference, is great.
“I would also like to thank our clients for giving us the opportunity to work in partnership with them and to demonstrate our relentless focus on exceptional client service.
“Our current strategy – to build a sustainable independent UK law firm fit for the future – has delivered strong growth, a fantastic new office in Edinburgh and has put our approach to responsible business and diversity & inclusion at the heart of our firm. We are therefore proud to have received this award, which reflects the positive progress that we’re making.”
Energy and Infrastructure Team of the Year
The firm has been recognised 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 Transport and Infrastructure 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.
Alexia Course, rail operations director at TfW says: “I’ve been working with Burges Salmon for a number of years now. I’m therefore absolutely thrilled for Brioney and the whole team at Burges Salmon for their recognition for their work on this incredible project.
“During the course of the project, Burges Salmon deployed a really experienced team with strong UK railway commercial and regulatory expertise including experience of working with many of the key industry stakeholders, which we needed to deliver this project effectively.
“So it’s a big thank you from me and well done to everyone involved. Congratulations on a thoroughly deserved award.”
This year’s awards were held as an online virtual event and winners were announced at a ceremony that took place on Thursday 19 November.