Communities

The Foundation's key objective is to promote the charitable work of the firm on a collective basis as well as the individual efforts of employees - making financial awards to help them fundraise for worthwhile causes of their choice.

There are 14 trustees who run the Foundation, supported by Foundation Manager Jackie Robertson.

From Movember moustaches to marathons, swimathons to charity discos, employees have stepped up and taken on challenges to support a staggering 239 charities and counting.

As well as individuals raising funds for causes close to their heart, our team spirit means there are always group fundraising activities on the go too.

From Back to School appeals in each of our three office locations and Wear Red to Work Day to support the British Heart Foundation, or more unusual challenges such as our Easter art competition or Garden Wildlife & Environment Week scavenger hunts, there’s plenty to get involved in.

The Burness Paull Foundation has a longstanding partnership arrangement with Street Soccer Scotland, a truly inspirational organisation providing training and personal development opportunities for socially disadvantaged groups across Scotland using the positive power of football. As well as financial support, we have teamed up to host tournaments with players and clients, held Street Soccer Business Club events in each of our offices and colleagues have gone along to volunteer at training sessions and fundraisers such as the annual Gala Dinner.

We are very proud sponsors of the Street Soccer Scotland men's and women's teams at the Homeless World Cup.

In September 2022, Street Soccer Scotland organised the first Nations Cup in Dundee, and we were delighted to  once again sponsor and cheer on the teams. This follows on from the first Four Nations Tournament held in 2021, where we also supported Team England, made up of players from Street Soccer London.

Being part of our community means getting involved and helping where we can, not just through financial support but lending a hand where we can make a difference.

Access to nature and outdoor spaces has proven health and wellbeing benefits, and its important we protect these places for our communities. Volunteering with the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, members of our team regularly get involved in projects to maintain the parks and pathways so many enjoy.

As part of our work for housing provider Sanctuary, some of our Glasgow team got involved mentoring a group of five P6/P7 primary pupils from Gowanbank Primary School. We welcomed the children to our office to let them see what the ‘world of work’ is really like, giving them a tour of the office and facilitating participation in a mini legal process.

For all of the pupils this was the first time that they’d been in an office-based environment, and it’s safe to say that they loved it. Our favourite quote from the day: “I know I’m definitely working here when I’m older.” We can’t wait to see them back as an employee in the future!

With “Connected” as one of our Human & High Performing pillars, it feels natural that we should form partnerships with like-minded organisations, those who are as passionate about creativity and giving individuals the space to perform just as we are.

We proudly support Scottish Ballet as their innovation partner. As one of the most innovative national dance companies in the world they push creativity and explore new styles. This reflects our commitment to nurture creativity and tackle problems from a fresh perspective.

TEDx is recognised internationally as a grassroots initiative, bringing TED’s original mission to spread “ideas worth sharing” to local communities around the globe. Being part of the innovative, exciting and inspirational TEDx events sparks a raft of new perspectives and ways of thinking. We have partnered with TEDx Glasgow for a number of years and in 2021, were amongst the first partners of the inaugural TEDx Aberdeen.

We are committed to providing pro-bono support to a number of initiatives where we can make a difference.

The Lifescape Project is a groundbreaking charity with a mission to “catalyse the creation, restoration and protection of wild landscapes”. Bringing together science, technology, law, economics and communications, the Landscape Project team have set ambitious targets to drive change, build support for rewilding and species reintroduction, and utilise “natural assets” to achieve ESG and financial return benefits. We are proud to be their Scottish Law Firm Pro-bono partner, advising on the varied and innovative projects they undertake to make a tangible difference to the environment and those who rely on it.

Several of our lawyers are engaged in initiatives with The Chancery Lane Project, a pro bono initiative that brings legal professionals together to collaborate and rewrite contracts and laws, in order to support communities and businesses in fighting climate change and achieving net zero carbon emissions. We have also adopted some of the clauses produced by CLP in our own business.

We also act for pro bono client Treeconomy, a nature-based carbon removal organisation who are utilising remote sensing technology to guarantee high-quality, measurable, and attributable carbon offsets to their buyers. As part of their work, Treeconomy connect rural landowners to the global carbon offset market, shrinking the carbon supply chain and providing a strong financial incentive for responsible woodland creation.