Former Burness Partner Joins Harper Macleod to Strengthen Banking Team / New Partner Promoted in the Real Estate Team

Harper Macleod LLP, one of Scotland's leading commercial law firms, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Steele as Banking Partner in the firm's Glasgow office.

Formerly an in-house solicitor in Corporate Banking at Bank of Scotland followed by seven years within the Banking Group at Burness, (two as Partner) Jonathan will join Harper Macleod, specialising in transaction based banking work, with a particular emphasis on property-backed lending transactions.

This appointment comes at an exciting time for Harper Macleod's Banking & Finance Practice Group, following the appointment of Fraser Hardie to the Group's Edinburgh office in September 2005.

October also sees the promotion of Philip Curle to Partner in the firm's Real Estate Practice Group.  Philip joined the firm in March 2005 and is involved in all types of property development related work, development funding for secured lenders, sales and purchases of large-scale institutional investments and commercial leasing.

His promotion is in recognition of the impact his presence has had on the Real Estate Group.  The Groups turnover has increased by a significant 38% this year.

Professor Lorne Crerar, Chairman, said: "We are delighted to welcome Jonathan Steele to the firm and are confident that his banking expertise will further strengthen the considerable ability which already exists in our Banking & Finance Practice Group. 

"Whilst the firm does not generally grow its practice areas by way of senior hiring, we recognised that in Jonathan's case, he complements and enhances our existing Banking offering perfectly.  He brings a breadth of expertise and experience in transactional banking that will be of considerable value to us and our clients. 

"It is also a great pleasure for the firm to evidence the development and promotion of Philip Curle. His success reflects the hard work, expertise and effort he has demonstrated in the firm."

The appointments supplement a very successful year for Harper Macleod, who were awarded the title 'Law Firm of the Year' by Scotland's two most prestigious law awards, The Law Awards of Scotland and The Scottish Legal Awards.  This makes the firm one of only two firms to have ever been awarded the title twice in the same year. 

Established in 1988 by Professor Lorne Crerar and Rod McKenzie, Harper Macleod has evolved into a firm with 34 Partners, 102 Fee Earners and a complement of 190 staff.  The firm is renowned for its expertise in Sports, Public Sector & Housing, Employment, Banking, Recoveries, Corporate, Real Estate and Litigation.