Skip to main content

Major lateral hire spurs leading law firm’s Finance Group

Walker Morris appoints acclaimed Yorkshire lawyer, and former Partner at Pinsent Masons, to lead growing Banking team

Walker Morris has appointed Philip Scott as Partner and Head of Banking following a string of lateral hires across the firm since the start of 2021.

Philip joins the team from Pinsent Masons where he led the Yorkshire Banking team. Described as a leading Individual by The Legal 500, Philip brings more than 20 years of experience in the Yorkshire and national markets, specialising in high value, complex, international financings.

Having acted for a wide range of banks, debt funds, equity houses and corporate borrowers, Philip is recognised as a specialist in corporate and property financing work for national clearing banks and local corporates.

This latest announcement directly follows two other major lateral hires by Walker Morris, with George Bacon joining as Partner in the Real Estate Group and Simon Slade joining as a Director in the Tax Team. These appointments are the newest in a raft of additional senior hires and promotions across the firm in the last six months, including the landmark 21 internal promotions announced in Q2 of this year, which saw the appointment of four new Partners, five Directors and an additional 12 Senior Associates.

Commenting on Philip’s appointment, Michael Taylor, Partner in the Banking team at Walker Morris, said:

“Attracting and retaining the best people is at the heart of our growth strategy and Philip’s appointment as Head of Banking further reinforces this, as well as demonstrating our commitment to strengthening our expanding financial practice.

“Because our lawyers have experience in the business restructuring environment, they also have a deep understanding of the pitfalls that can trip up the unwary and the commercial capability to structure transactions to minimise such risks; without interfering with the underlying commercial realities of the deal. Philip shares this unique skillset and his vast experience in the market means he’s a perfect fit for this leading role within the Finance Group. I am confident he’ll help the team reach new heights this coming year.”

As part of the wider Finance Group, Walker Morris has developed a banking practice that offers the legal skills and the shrewd business judgement to enable the most complex of financing deals to be transacted smoothly and safely.

The Walker Morris Banking team is one of the largest in the region, comprised of lawyers specialising in acquisition and structured finance projects, property finance, asset-based finance and restructuring work covering the full range of corporate funding requirements. The broad and detailed understanding of these various elements of banking and finance enables the team to guide its clients between the theoretical problems and the real issues – and to differentiate between the two.

The team regularly advises on some of the biggest deals in the region, having previously advised EVO Business Supplies Limited in connection with its £90 million syndicated multi-currency asset-based lending facilities from a club of Asset Based Lenders, and Marshall’s plc on its £90 million revolving credit facility.

Philip, newly appointed Partner and Head of Banking added:

“I’m excited to be joining one of the UK’s leading independent law firms with a top-notch Banking team. Along with its unique position as a one-site firm located in Leeds, Walker Morris’ entrepreneurial philosophy, breadth of expertise and commercial flair give it a distinctive edge and I am looking forward to taking on a leading role within the team.”

Walker Morris has followed a strategy of investing in the full spectrum of commercial legal expertise including specialist practice areas such as competition law, financial services and consumer finance which, typically, are reserved for City firms. While Walker Morris works with a number of Yorkshire clients, it also works with national and international clients, with a fifth of its clients headquartered overseas.

Click here to read more about Walker Morris’ Banking Team.

Philip Scott Walker Morris