In a matter of weeks, Glasgow will host the much anticipated United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26, 1-12 November). It will bring together leading political, business and scientific minds in the collective hope of steering the world on a cleaner, greener path that fully exploits more sustainable technologies for the benefit of all.

If society at large can feel distant from such weighty, macro level climate and geopolitical manoeuvring and discussion, from a legal perspective there is much to consider.

In Scotland, the landscape of our cities is steadily transforming as forward thinking business leaders, planners, developers and scientists embrace this vision for achieving cleaner, greener energy efficiencies and new ways for citizens to live and work.  Leading law firms, like Shoosmiths are very much part of this step-change. 

As a responsible business, Shoosmiths is signed up to the Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative and has a stated firm-wide aim for our operations to be carbon neutral by 2025. It’s no coincidence that sustainability was also integral to our thinking when leasing new office space at The Garment Factory in the popular Merchant City Central Conservation Area of Glasgow city centre.

New build developments can achieve very high EPC and energy efficiency ratings and there are some notable examples of state of the art new Grade A buildings in the city. However, wider sustainability criteria also influenced our choice of building.

Prior to its redevelopment in 2016, The Garment Factory had lain empty for several years.  It’s now a stunning example of how sensitive restoration, retaining original features yet also incorporating modern, energy-efficient office space can successfully rejuvenate and repurpose a historic building. Little wonder the development received the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Award for Conservation and Climate Change in 2018.

As a firm which can trace its roots back to 1845 there was also a synergy with the life of the building itself. Everyone likes to visit and work in amazing spaces,  which our new office certainly is. I like the fact that we have set up shop in a former factory; a traditional place of industry, where people and technology worked in unison for over 100 years to produce a high quality product of which the city could be proud.  That’s exactly what Shoosmiths will be doing there from 2021 onwards.

In my opinion, buildings like The Garment Factory are testament to how Scotland's largest city is successfully achieving a positive transformation of its skyline and streets as new greener housing, energy efficient offices and transformed public realm areas take shape. It’s a proud, ‘dear green place’ in more ways than one.

Significantly, Shoosmiths decision to expand our footprint in Glasgow also comes at a time when Glasgow City Council has firmly underlined its intent for a greener future with the recent launch of its 'Greenprint for Investment'.  A highly ambitious document, the city that will soon host COP26 has plans for circa £30bn of investments, including for key greener infrastructure projects.  It’s a portfolio designed to give a significant boost to the city's target to reach net-zero by 2030.

Glasgow is transforming; Shoosmiths too is ambitious in the west of Scotland. With an enlightened way of providing legal services, at Shoosmiths in Glasgow we aim to embed ourselves in the hearts and minds of the city’s business leaders and decision makers.

As clients like Watkins Jones, Graham’s the Family Dairy, Robertson Residential Group and Amey can attest, we offer existing and potential new clients the benefit of engaging with skilled, approachable lawyers who speak in plain English and who across real estate, banking, corporate, employment and litigation offer invaluable in-depth cross sectoral knowledge. We aim to be an invaluable extension of your team and hopefully you will wish to be a part of ours.

Today, as our ever-expanding team of 15 lawyers settle into their new office space at the Garment Factory, you can engage with me directly and experienced real estate colleagues Lauren Miller and Collette Gibson who already advise on some of the city’s new key development projects.

Depending on the brief, we can also call upon the expertise of planning colleagues Geraint Hughes and Fraser Mitchell (head of planning in Scotland) or on the insight of banking partner Fiona Cameron to advise on funding to secure new strategic initiatives.  Our Glasgow based colleagues now also include legal director Tom Maxwell and his team for corporate and M&A advice while Michael McLaughlin, head of employment and Jennifer Wright manage stimulating and challenging briefs in employment matters.

Of course, as a legal firm with 13 offices UK-wide, we also work collaboratively with our colleagues near and far, including Edinburgh, Belfast, Leeds and London to name a few. As a result, our clients always have the reassurance of access to a highly talented, engaged team of lawyers to support the delivery of a project.

As the head of Shoosmith’s Glasgow office, I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss your requirements and to introduce other members of our team.  I’m certain we can add value to your business and hopefully you will quickly consider Shoosmiths as an invaluable part of your team.  If you’d like an informal discussion or to find out more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at our new home in The Garment Factory.  

Barry McKeown is a real estate partner and head of the Glasgow office for Shoosmiths in Scotland. 

Email: Barry.McKeown@shoosmiths.co.uk

Tel:  03700 868163