Burges Salmon

Burges Salmon is one of the UK’s last remaining big-hitting regional independents. Up until very recently it operated from a single office in Bristol although much of its work came from outside the South West region.

It did finally put its feet down properly in a new location in 2019, opening in Edinburgh with three partners, and has been investing there since, with corporate finance, planning, real estate, banking and employment lawyers now working there.

The firm was for many years Bristol’s leading player, with Osborne Clarke its nearest challenger, although the growth of the city as a legal hub has since seen numerous London firms attempt to muscle in to the market. A move from the city centre to a custom-built office opposite Temple Meads station was delayed somewhat due to the 2008 recession but did eventually go through.

Peter Morris took over as managing partner in 2010. Under his leadership, turnover grew by 43.3 per cent from £60.7m to £87m, while profit per equity partner (PEP) increased from £414,000 to £523,000. He stepped down in 2018 to be replaced by head of employment Roger Bull.

Its reputation as Bristol’s pre-eminent firm allowed it for many years to run a “Sardines/Salmon” recruitment campaign, which contrasted London commuters packed into a Tube carriage with the West Country’s open spaces. The firm also played on its name with salmon-pink notepaper and fish-themed branding.

	Managing partner	Senior partner
2007		Stephen McNulty
2010	Peter Morris
2011		Alan Barr
2017		Chris Seaton
2018	Roger Bull