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Fee Earner Focus: Q&A – Laura McMorland (Corporate)
Laura McMorland (pictured below), joined Bermans in March 2023 and is a Senior Associate in our Corporate team. We spoke to her to learn more about her and her work.
- Can you give us a brief summary of your career so far?
I previously worked for 13 years as a corporate finance lawyer for two large Scottish based law firms in their Aberdeen offices. Working in Aberdeen meant I was mainly dealing with clients in the oil and gas industry and with an international focus. I moved to Manchester just over four years ago for a legal position in-house with a property investment company within the specialised supported housing sector. I decided to return back to private practice after missing the buzz of corporate legal work.
2. What area of the law do you specialise in and why?
Having previously carried out a mixture of banking, commercial and corporate work, my main specialism is now corporate work with a focus on M&A transactions. I also act on a variety of other corporate work and transactions, including, reorganisations, private equity and general corporate work.
Having secured a traineeship with large legal firm, corporate type seats (i.e. not acting for private individuals) were the only option I had. I enjoyed the transactional nature of corporate work and also the fact that it feels like you are constantly working as part of a team.
3. Is there a case or a particular piece of work you were proud to be involved with, if so why?
Whilst working in Aberdeen I worked for a client in respect of its acquisition by an American PE fund. The transaction was the largest value deal my then firm had ever worked on. The deal involved nearly all of the corporate lawyers in the division and we all had to pull together as a team to do a large amount of seller diligence and other work on the transaction. It made me proud to be part of such a great team and we did a successful job, as evidenced by the fact we retained the client post-acquisition.
4. Away from the law what are your interests and passions?
I am a bit of a culture vulture and am at my happiest when going to a gig, the theatre, the cinema or an art gallery. I also enjoy being outdoors in the countryside, going on bike rides and walks. I have a keen interest in current affairs and am a news junkie. As below, I also love sports although (probably thankfully for my knees) I don’t get as much of a chance to play sports as I used to.
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Sports & Teams Supported: I keep an eye on most sports and would love to be a sports presenter/commentator (think Hazel Irvine). I used to play football and a Rangers number 9 McCoist shirt was my prized possession aged 8. With Scotland’s fortunes on the international scene improving, I’m aiming for a trip to Germany next year! I also enjoy going to the rugby and used to be a season ticket holder for Murrayfield. I also enjoy watching tennis, athletics and have been to ice hockey and baseball games in Canada and the US.
Films (Top 3): True Romance, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Matilda (the Danny DeVito version)
Music (3 tracks/albums to take on Desert Island): Just to re-emphasis the fact that I’m Scottish….
Dougie MacLean – Caledonia, Frightened Rabbit – Poke and Belle and Sebastian – The Boy With the Arab Strap
Boxsets: Happy Valley, Luther and Line of Duty are my recommendations if you need some gritty drama in your life. The Great British Sewing Bee and The Great British Bake Off are the shows I’ll watch on catch-up if I miss them, slightly more sedate than my boxset recommendations!
Podcasts you listen to/recommend: The only podcast I listen to is The Rest is Politics with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart. It’s very refreshing to listen to two people from across the political divide being able to have reasoned and rationale debates and discussions.
Meal: I love eating out. Thai or Vietnamese food would be my cuisine of choice but you also can’t beat a good (Scottish) chippie tea!
Holiday destination: Italy. I love the food, the culture and the people.
Favourite book: I don’t have a favourite book as an adult. There are too many I still need to read. I do, however, have a collection of Famous Five books from my childhood which were a gift from my Mum and remind me how much I loved reading when I was a child
3 people for a dinner party and why? Ally McCoist – the only time I’ve ever been speechless was when I met him aged 12, hopefully I’d be able to find my voice when he attends my dinner party.
Kate Adie – I wanted to be a War correspondent when I was younger and have seen Kate speak at an event. She has some amazing stories to keep me and my guests interested.
Tim Minchin – to provide some laughs and musical entertainment.
ENDS.
Contact Laura
e: laura.mcmorland@bermans.co.uk
t: 0161 827 4608
w: Web profile