Firm wide

Legal 500 2006

'... arguably Scotland’s premier firm, recommended highly across a broad range of practice areas.'

'The firm remains one of Scotland’s very best full-service firms, with few rivals, especially in corporate finance.'

Chambers 2006-2007

'One of Scotland ’s Elite, Dundas & Wilson commands respect. As its City branch gathers momentum, it is fast cementing its profile as a dynamic national presence. London is at the centre of the firm's strategy, as it aims to replicate its Scottish success here.'


Banking / Finance

Legal 500 2006

'... first-class ... has few rivals.'

Chambers 2006-2007

'Clients choose this firm because of “the quality of their people, the advice they give and their ability to cut through time-wasting issues.” Clients also said they get “consistency and good service at a fair price.'

People

Stephen Phillips
'A trusted adviser, Stephen Phillips "knows what points will and will not be acceptable to the bank." He has a calm, laid-back style that enhances his negotiations: "He is good at explaining the issues and walking us through them in layman terms," concluded clients. Chambers 2006-2007

Caryn Penley
' "Professional, friendly Caryn Penley has a commercial attitude and gives quick responses,"...' Chambers 2006-2007

David Morton
'... while colleague David Morton provides highly commercial advice that some clients feel gives them a competitive advantage.' Chambers 2006-2007

Michael Stoneham
'... is a popular figure in the marketplace, well known across the breadth of the finance spectrum ...' Chambers 2006-2007

Ross Caldwell
"Technically-minded, " Ross Caldwell was said to be straightforward in his approach.' Chambers 2006-2007

Darren Craig
' "Laid-back yet conscientious at the same time," associate Darren Craig was pinpointed by clients as a star of the future. Winning commendation for "working through the night to get a deal done," he was also valued for his "good sense of humour.".' Chambers 2006-2007


Commercial Property

People

Iain Doran
'... who is considered by some to be ‘a star of the property world.' ' Legal 500 2006

Allan Wernham
' ’Technowizard’ ...' Legal 500 2006


Construction

Chambers 2006-2007

' Clients praise this "switched-on" construction and engineering unit for "delivering on all fronts" - combining deep industry know-how with up-to-date market insight. A penetrating understanding of the wider business world and a profound interest in the furtherance of its clients' ambitions provides the team with even greater value. It boasts an impressive pedigree in non-contentious matters, ...'

People

Lindy Patterson
'D&W’s construction team, headed by first-class solicitor advocate Lindy Patterson ...' Legal 500 2006

'Headlining the operation is "big hitter" Lindy Patterson. Dynamic, hands-on and practical, she focuses on contentious issues, boasting experience of all forms of dispute resolution.' Chambers 2006-2007

Andrew Renton
'... , an energy and utilities specialist, is praised by clients for his "high-class" service and eye for a business opportunity. ' Chambers 2006-2007

Rhona Holman
'... is considered ‘excellent’ by clients.' Legal 500 2006

Juliet Haldane
'Market sources highlight "go-getter" Juliet Haldane as a talented deal maker. ' Chambers 2006-2007


Corporate Finance

Chambers 2006-2007

' "A natural port of call" for clients, Dundas & Wilson continues to reign as one of Scotland 's premier firms.'

'Clients believe the project management skills of the group to be supreme: "Clear, uncluttered advice and attention to detail" have become hallmarks of the Dundas & Wilson brand. Interviewees appreciate the team's "willingness to do other things apart from legal advice, such as market analysis and creating deal opportunities." This unusual attribute has become a valued aspect of the corporate package offered, but it is still "first and foremost depth of legal ability" that attracts clients.'

People

Kenneth Rose
'... "provides good continuity and is knowledgeable on a broad range of matters.".' Chambers 2006-2007

Michael Polson
'... is an essential element in complex deals, which he approaches "with a mindset that facilitates transactions." His unassuming manner "commands respect" and interviewees are confident that "his abilities are more than enough to win the argument.".' Chambers 2006-2007


Corporate & Commercial

Legal 500 2006

' ‘The quality of the work has always been of the highest standard’ at D&W’s market-leading corporate practice.'

People

Michael Polson
'... heads a group that ‘works hard at being pro-active, and establishing good working relationships.’ ' Legal 500 2006

Kenneth Rose / Donald Cumming
'... are commended for their ‘depth of technical knowledge and commercial awareness.’ ' Legal 500 2006


Employment

Legal 500 2006

'D&W’s employment practice is ‘absolutely outstanding in all aspects' ...'

Chambers 2006-2007

'Praise showered the 25-strong employment team for “their terrific cutting-edge advice” and “incredibly pragmatic approach” to a range of employment issues.'

'Here a “tireless team of advocates“ handles the employment aspects for public sector and SPV clients.'


People

David Walker
'... the consummate lawyer David Walker ...' Chambers 2006-2007

Eilidh Wiseman
'Sensitive senior level executive terminations are just one cog in the legal wheel of the “highly strategic” Eilidh Wiseman, who heads the employment and pensions team.' Chambers 2006-2007

Lisa Clark
'One leading expert on TUPE and PFI / PPP is Lisa Clarke, a “sharp, professional and affable” lawyer who “cuts to the chase.”.' Chambers 2006-2007

Mandy Laurie
'... discrimination expert Mandy Laurie was a significant boost for the team ...' Chambers 2006-2007


Energy: Onshore

People

Donald Cumming
'... "works at the sharp end of the energy industry" and his name was repeatedly mentioned to researchers as an example of a true energy specialist. ' Chambers 2006-2007


Environment

People

Mark Brumwell
'... continued to put D&W’s practice on the map ' Legal 500 2006

Gordon McCreath
'... lawyer who impresses with his "ability to see the wider context and offer tactical advice as well as detailed knowledge”.' Chambers 2006-2007


Franchising

Chambers 2006-2007

'Dundas & Wilson boasts a "good stock" of mainstream franchising, licensing and brand exploitation work, much with a decidedly international flavour.'

People

Eric Galbraith
'Galbraith impresses with his understanding of the client business as well as his "personable, straightforward and commercially incisive" advice.' Chambers 2006-2007


Immigration

Chambers 2006-2007

'This small, yet “solid, respectable and adept” business immigration unit ... is particularly lauded for its “vast” experience ...'

'Clients praise the team’s ability to come up with “creative solutions when the more traditional options have been exhausted,” including working holiday visas and dependent-relative visas.'

People

David Walker
'The “remarkable and talented” David Walker elicits praise for the “innovative and meticulous” strategies he employs.'


IP / IT

People

Laurence Ward
'The team led by Laurence Ward, is held on ‘high regard’ for its ‘acumen and responsiveness’...' Legal 500 2006

'Clients believe that “service-orientated” Laurence Ward is “very aligned to business needs: while he knows black-letter law, he’s also pragmatic and gets deals done.”.' Chambers 2006-2007


Insolvency / Corporate Recovery / Restructuring

People

Ian Cuthbertson
'The esteemed ...' Legal 500 2006


Investment Funds

Legal 500 2006

'... ‘the level of service and targets set for work have always been met’ by the very popular group ...'

People

Colin Lawrie
'... ‘technically very able and innovative’ ... ' Legal 500 2006

Philip Mackay
'... ‘pragmatic and proactive’ ...' Legal 500 2006


Litigation: General Commercial

Legal 500 2006

'... first class litigation practice ...'

People

Colin Macleod / Lindy Patterson / Andrew Renton / Alistair McLean
'... all enjoy excellent reputations.' Legal 500 2006

Colin Macleod
' “Top of the tree at Dundas & Wilson ” is Colin Macleod. Clients and peers alike offered multiple examples of his visibility in the market and the aplomb with which he handles disputes." Chambers 2006-2007

Lorna Sibbald
'As one satisfied client noted: “She stands out from many lawyers by not just hiding behind the law but looking beyond it for sensible solutions.”.' Chambers 2006-2007


Litigation: Medical Negligence

Legal 500 2006

'... D&W – praised for its ‘considerable experience’ and ‘high quality of service’ ...'

People

Laura Donald
'Clients enthuse over her pragmatic approach: "The work can often be emotive and she can handle any issue delicately.".' Chambers 2006-2007


Litigation: Personal Injury

People

Laura Donald
'... and her team of seven fee-earners at D&W are rated for ‘impressive response times.’ ' Legal 500 2006


Litigation: Professional Negligence

Chambers 2006-2007

'The group ... is praised for its “pragmatic approach to resolving disputes.”.'

People

Colin Macleod
'Clients attest that the team’s strength comes from its leadership; Colin Macleod is a leading light in professional negligence work. He is “absolutely tremendous, very proactive, and a good legal brain,” who “always considers the economic issues of a case.' Chambers 2006-2007


Litigation: Real Estate

Legal 500 2006

'Clients note the firm’s ‘effective resolution of disputes’.'

Chambers 2006-2007

'The hallmark of this strong, blue-chip firm is “getting results in a commercial, effective and focused way.” Given the team’s “great track record, impressive clientele and strong commercial landlord and tenant know-how,”.'


Local Government

Chambers 2006-2007

'A long history in the public sector and the commitment of vast resources combine to make this practice “a major force for local government work in Scotland .” According to commentators, the team possesses an “impressive track record for education PPPs.'


Media & Entertainment

Legal 500 2006

'... ‘excellent knowledge of the media sector’ ...'

Chambers 2006-2007

'Market sources describe the group as “knowledgeable in a way that’s immensely practical. The lawyers know at the end of the day that there’s a deal to do and so don’t grandstand on small points.”.'

People

Graham Sibbald
'... wins respect as “a good and sensible lawyer who is great in negotiations and knows how to close.”.' Chambers 2006-2007


Parliamentary & Public Affairs

Chambers 2006-2007

' "Second to none for statutory process," ... Interviewees were quick to praise a team that "will burn the midnight oil through to the completion of a project.".'

People

Ann Faulds
'... who clients described as "a strategic mastermind.".'Chambers 2006-2007

Trudi Craggs
'... a senior associate, ... already very highly regarded in the parliamentary field, with multiple interviewees singing her praises.' Chambers 2006-2007


Partnership

Chambers 2006-2007

'... "first-rate" partnership ...'

'Clients are appreciative of the fact that the firm "always makes the effort to understand our business," a quality which they believe is also underpinned by its ability to "take a commercial as well as a legal view.".'

People

Colin Lawrie
'The "sharp and switched-on" Colin Lawrie is the head of the department ... Clients praise him for providing a "pragmatic and knowledgeable" service.' Chambers 2006-2007


Pensions

Legal 500 2006
'D&W’s practice is recommended for its ‘business acumen’. '

Chambers 2006-2007
'Dundas & Wilson undertakes all aspects of pensions advice in a “timely and thorough” fashion.'

' “We’ve found Dundas & Wilson to be really proactive in bringing forward solutions,”.'

People

David Knox
'The arrival of new group head David Knox ... has considerably strengthened the team.' Legal 500 2006


Planning

Legal 500 2006

'... attracts praise for its ‘knowledgeable advice’.'

Chambers 2006-2007

' “Fast and consistent,” Dundas & Wilson ’s planning team “cuts through the nonsense” to give clients what they need.'

People

Ann Faulds
'The “queen bee” of the Scottish planning market, Ann Faulds stands out for her mammoth experience as a dedicated planning project and inquiry lawyer. “She has a brain that goes twice as fast as any lawyer I’ve ever met,” marvelled one satisfied client.' Chambers 2006-2007

Stephen McNaught
'Clients have ‘total confidence’ in Stephen McNaught, and his ‘first class’ three-strong team at D&W.' Legal 500 2006


Projects / PFI

Legal 500 2006

'...‘ D&W has the most experienced team on schools PPP in Scotland, and possesses all the skills required in sufficient depth to allow for staff turnover. I don’t think that we could have obtained better support than we did.’.'

' ‘They have good industry knowledge and a sense of where the market is moving’ ...'

People

Alan Campbell
'… is an “impressive and reasonable chap.” Chambers 2006-2007

Michael McAuley
'... is “extremely experienced and it shows.”.' Chambers 2006-2007

Amanda Methven
'... “though a relative newcomer, is making a good name for herself.”.' Chambers 2006-2007

Anne Gilkinson
'... is also respected for her broad range of skills ...' Chambers 2006-2007


Sport

Legal 500 2006

'D&W's ‘excellent and reliable‘ team ...'


Tax

Chambers 2006-2007

'She is well regarded by her contemporaries as a "capable and technical" practitioner who is adept at complex corporate and commercial transactions.'