A global ranking of the world’s most-active advisers on clean energy deals has again showcased the key role played by Bristol law firms in the sector.
Energy teams from two of the city’s largest law firms have appeared in the top three for several years, reflecting their standing as heavyweights in the fast-growing market. 
Burges Salmon has moved back into second place in the 2024 law firm table from third last year, reclaiming a slot it has occupied for most of the past decade.
TLT, which was second last year, swaps places with Burges Salmon to achieve third place – a position it held in 2022.
The tables are compiled by Clean Energy Pipeline, which provides news, data and analytics for the renewables finance industry.
They rank the top 20 global law firms that provided legal advice to developers, businesses and investors on transactions for global clean energy project developments, technologies, energy project finance and M&A deals over the previous 12 months.
This year’s table is based on deals completed in 2023, during which Burges Salmon acted on 57 with a total value of £518m.
This is an increase of five deals on 2022’s number, although the total value declined by nearly £200m.
Burges Salmon, which employs more than 1,100 people across its offices in Bristol, Edinburgh and London, ranked nineth in the Top 20 legal advisors by number of deals table for 18 transactions, totalling £936m.
Burges Salmon partner Camilla Usher-Clark, who leads its corporate energy merger and acquisitions (M&A) team, said: “It’s fantastic to see that our rankings in this year’s Clean Energy Legal League Tables – for both M&A and project finance deals – continue to recognise the size and strength of our clean energy practice.
“To feature so prominently, particularly given that we are up against some of the world’s largest law firms, is testament to the quantity and quality of the transactions the team advised our clients on last year.
“To be placed second on an aggregate basis for deal volume for more than a decade is terrific. We’re very proud to have played our part in advising on some of the largest, most innovative and complex clean energy and net zero deals across the UK, and overseas.”
Burges Salmon has more than 20 years’ experience in the clean energy sector and is regularly engaged in first-of-a-kind work across onshore and offshore wind, solar, BESS, biomass, hydrogen and geothermal projects.
TLT, which has more than 160 partners and employs around 1,600 people across its eight offices, acted as a legal adviser to clients on 54 renewable project transactions.
It also ranked eighth among the most active global law firms in clean energy project financing deals for 2023.
TLT corporate future energy team head Kay Hobbs said: “It is rewarding to see our team’s hard work and expertise once again recognised with a strong placement in Clean Energy Pipeline’s Legal League Table.
“It has, once again, been an incredibly busy year, which has seen us involved in some genuinely groundbreaking deals in the UK’s future energy sector, and this ranking demonstrates that we remain one of the leaders and go-to advisors in this space.
“We would like to extend our thanks to all our colleagues and clients and we look forward to continuing our work in another busy year ahead.”
