Burness Paull has appointed highly regarded renewables development lawyer Nicola Scott as a partner in its energy team, reinforcing the firm’s credentials in an area that continues to experience strong demand for expert legal advice in support of the energy transition.

Nicola advises clients in the renewables sector on real estate matters having spent her career working in both private practice and in house with a ‘big six’ energy company. Her experience includes acting for clients on all property aspects relating to the development and financing of renewable energy projects across onshore and offshore technologies. She also brings strong general commercial property expertise.

Her appointment will add senior bench strength to a practice area that has grown significantly to meet client demand, as investment in renewable energy continues to ramp up in the drive towards net zero.

The firm’s market-leading energy team has also been bolstered by Edwin Truesdale and Hilary Gordon, who joined the team as directors earlier this year and bring significant expertise across project development as well as corporate and financing activity in the renewable energy sector.

Nicola is the latest in a number a lateral partner hires and internal promotions made by Burness Paull in recent years, as the firm extends and further enhances its ability to advise those operating in the energy sector across the full range of legal specialisms required during the life cycle of renewable energy projects.

Peter Lawson, chair at Burness Paull, said: “Our energy sector clients are at the forefront of the transition. We are committed to supporting them with the full spectrum of expert legal advice required to deliver the clean energy projects and associated infrastructure that are critical to meeting future energy demand.

“Nicola’s appointment will bolster our cross-specialist energy team and is the latest example of our ongoing investment in consistently enhancing the quality of our offering. She is an excellent lawyer with the strong technical skills, personal attributes, and commitment to clients and colleagues that we look for in all our people.”

Nicola Scott added: “Burness Paull operates at the top of the market and I am looking forward to this next step of my career, working alongside so many talented colleagues in support of the firm’s international client base.”