Paula Skinner
Partner
Paula is head of the entrepreneurial team at Harper Macleod that focuses on advising entrepreneurs on all legal aspects of their business. Her personal specialism is advising entrepreneurs on corporate transactions such as investments (including equity crowdfunding), acquisitions/disposals and restructures. She works with businesses at all stages of their life cycle – from inception of idea to funding to exit. Paula previously worked in-house at a venture capitalist and within the investment team at Scottish Investment Bank. Her team completed over 186 transactions over the past 3 years, 74 of them being equity investments and 27 being M&A transactions. You can review some of the deals Paula and her team have been involved in at our up-to-date corporate deals table.
Paula is recommended as a "Leader in the Field" in corporate law in Scotland where she is described as having "a particular specialism in advising start-ups, entrepreneurs and investors." She is recognised for her expertise in crowdfunding, and a market insider reports: "There are no gaps in her knowledge or understanding of the market." (Chambers UK). The Legal 500 regards her as a "Next Generation Partner" and a "Recommended Lawyer" in Corporate & Commercial. The Law magazine listed her in the Hot 100 of Lawyers for 2015 across the UK (the only lawyer from a Scottish firm to be listed).
Paula has in the past participated in an entrepreneurship course by Babson College at the University of Strathclyde.
Qualifications: LLB Dip LP
Qualified: 2002
Joined the firm: 2005
Paula is noted for specialising in advising entrepreneurial businesses. Clients state: 'Paula Skinner is an excellent source of advice and practical solutions’ and 'I trust Paula Skinner’s judgement and know that she genuinely cares about me and my business’. Legal 500 2021
Paula Skinner is noted for her broad corporate practice. She has particular expertise advising entrepreneurs on investments and sales. "Paula is very thorough and fully understands the needs of her clients, working hard to achieve their objectives." Chambers UK 2021
Paula has a wide-ranging corporate practice, with a particular specialism in advising start-ups, entrepreneurs and investors. She is lauded for her "knowledge, experience, friendliness and approachability." Chambers 2020