Amal Kaur has joined the commercial real estate team as a new dual-qualified partner. With over 14 years’ combined experience of Scots law and English law, Amal has an impressive track record and a wealth of experience within the real estate sector, acting on behalf of several high-profile clients - from larger funds to social enterprise bodies. As well as working within core real estate on matters such as landlord and tenant matters, asset management and sale and purchase work, Amal also has vast experience within the renewable energy sector, including combined heat and power (CHP), district heating network and solar projects.
Alex Smith, partner managing director of infrastructure and specialist markets, said “Amal is bringing a huge amount of knowledge and specialisms to the team. Her dual-qualification and experience means that, in addition to having a commercial understanding of the varying challenges our clients face in England & Wales and Scotland, we can seamlessly transact in both jurisdictions for our clients, cutting out the jargon and saving them valuable time and money.”
Andrew Whitehead, partner and head of our energy team, added “Amal’s experience of renewable energy compliments the diverse specialisms and services we already provide to our clients in this sector. The breadth and depth of our experience means we’re excellently positioned to support and help our clients, wherever they’re based”.
Read more about the real estate work we do for some of our energy clients; Last Mile Infrastructure Group and Statera Energy Ltd.
Scots law experience
As businesses increasingly expand their operations across the UK, we are frequently asked to advise our clients on Scottish and cross-border transactions. With Amal joining the real estate team as a dual-qualified lawyer, we are able to advise on Scots law commercial real estate, renewable energy and real estate finance transactions.
We’re welcoming Shakespeare Martineau (Scotland) LLP into the legal marketplace – authorised and regulated by the Law Society of Scotland. Although a separate legal entity, Shakespeare Martineau (Scotland) LLP very much shares the same purpose, vision and values as Shakespeare Martineau LLP; it’s all about collaboration and a real partnership ethos.
Our continued investment in our client services and national presence ensures that we are there working alongside our valued clients across the UK – helping them to unlock their potential in both life and business.
Getting to know Amal…
What has it been like joining a new firm during lockdown?
A challenge that many of us are encountering is the absence of the ‘coffee point conversation’. Not only is this a good way of building bonds with colleagues, it’s also a means of picking up on what’s happening work-wise for other people in the office. However, fully embracing the current situation, I’ve been the ’special guest’ on team video calls across all of our business areas.
Working remotely and being restricted in how we meet clients and referrers has certainly changed how we maintain connections with the business market. I have seen how we, clients and others can seize the opportunity to strengthen relationships by talking to each other more - rather than emailing!. To learn more about the people we work with will, in the long term, enable better understanding of our clients’ goals, requirements and growth opportunities, so that working relationships can thrive.
It is refreshing to see a law firm actively promoting individuality and the importance of being yourself. Lockdown has enabled us to prioritise our well-being, openly addressing mental health and ensuring that team meetings have a social element too.
What are the top two highlights of your career so far?
Obtaining my dual qualification and being able to adapt in practising across two jurisdictions - having previously worked in both Glasgow and London.
And obviously joining Shakespeare Martineau as a partner with the exciting role of growing our Scottish practice with my new colleagues.
What does a typical weekend look like for you?
Work is where it’s easy to be structured and organised, which is more than I can say for my weekends (I have a 3 year old and 1 year old to keep entertained!)
Our typical weekend outings have been restricted during lockdown, but it’s provided the opportunity to explore the nearby parks and become more creative with outdoor play – harking back to the days when I was a child!
