One of the north-east oil and gas industry’s top lawyers, Bruce McLeod, has become a partner in the Aberdeen office of legal firm Pinsent Masons.
He has joined the firm from Burness Paull and previously worked for Granite City-based Paull & Williamsons – before its merger with Burness, creating Burness Paull.
Prior to joining Paull & Williamsons in 2003, the oil and gas specialist acquired eight years’ commercial and legal experience with energy giant BP.
He is an extremely well-regarded and hands-on lawyer in the oil and gas space.”
Melanie Grimmitt, global head of energy, Pinsent Masons.
Mr McLeod started his legal career with Ledingham Chalmers, becoming an associate of the Granite City-based firm, after graduating from Aberdeen University.
His move to Pinsent comes just a few months after the firm lost the services of another leading Aberdeen-based oil and gas lawyer, Bob Ruddiman, to Burness Paul.
Meanwhile, renowned dealmaker Rosalie Chadwick recently became Pinsent’s new global head of oil and gas, replacing Mr Ruddiman.
‘Crossroads’
Announcing Mr McLeod’s appointment, Melanie Grimmitt, Pinsent’s Leeds-based global head of energy, said: “The oil and gas sector is at an important crossroads as the world transitions to a low-carbon future.
“With his sector approach and international outlook, Bruce brings the right expertise and know-how to effectively help our clients navigate this journey.
“He is an extremely well-regarded and hands-on lawyer in the oil and gas space, and has worked on some very complex transactions that complement our portfolio well.”
Mr McLeod said: “Energy transition is transforming the global energy landscape. Some are becoming more broadly-based energy companies, increasing investment in wind, hydrogen, solar and carbon capture projects, and divesting some of their existing oil and gas assets.
“Others are acquiring those assets and providing the investment required to bridge the gap between global energy demand and what can be supplied from renewables.
UK industry’s ‘key role’
“And from a UK perspective, the industry has a key role to play by investing in platform electrification and developing domestic production, thereby reducing the incremental emissions generated by importing oil and gas. ”
He added: “Pinsent Mason’s global energy team has an excellent reputation across M&A (mergers and acquisitions), capital markets, financing, and projects.
“That breadth and scale is becoming increasingly important to clients as they structure and deliver the deals required to enable these investments.”
A great asset
Richard Scott, partner and head of Pinsent’s’ Aberdeen office, said: “Bruce’s reputation as an oil and gas heavyweight is not restricted to just the UK continental shelf, but extends across many of the international energy hubs where our lawyers are most active.
“His commercial and legal experience is a very welcome addition to our established team, and he will be a great asset in supporting our energy sector clients, whether it be in traditional oil and gas projects or with investments in energy transition and the broader energy sector.”
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