Head of Banking and Financial Services & Partner

Bruce Stephen

Bruce has over 20 years' experience in all aspects of banking and finance work and leads the Brodies finance practice including regulated lending. Recent activity includes acting in a significant proportion of funds finance deals in the market for a range of lenders, advising in regulated industry financings such as energy and transport sectors and assisting in complex asset finance deals including advising a major European manufacturer in respect of its aircraft financing arrangements. A number of deals relate to assets and businesses which have particular strategic importance to the economy. The team have advised on large scale acquisitions and related financings including review and due diligence in respect of financial regulated businesses and products.

Bruce is relationship partner for a number of key client connections of Brodies including NatWest, JP Morgan, Hampden and DNB Bank and is a member of the operational board of the firm. He is co-author of Scottish chapters of ICLG 'Securitisation and security over receivables: an international handbook' published by Oxford University Press. Bruce was also involved in drafting Scottish secondary legislation relating to bank insolvency and bank administration pursuant to the Banking Act following the financial crisis. He has acted on advisory boards relating to law review projects undertaken by the Scottish Law Commission including in respect of the draft Moveables Transactions Bill.

Bruce is a member of the law society's banking and company law sub-committee and is one of the key contacts with Scottish Financial Enterprise and its membership. He is also English and Scots law qualified and leads the derivatives practice at the firm.

Living Brodies' values

Bruce cares about clients and their goals. He has a collaborative and balanced approach, identifying solutions and wins all party backing to overcome issues.

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Highlights

  • Head of Banking & Finance practice at Brodies, ranked tier 1 by the independent legal directories.
  • A member of Scottish Law Commission advisory boards associated with new legislation projects.
  • Heavily engaged with industry working closely with industry bodies such as Scottish Financial Enterprise.
  • Co-author of the Scottish chapter of The International Comparative Legal Guide to Securitisation 2023.
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Rankings

  • Ranked in the Legal 500 UK 2024 Hall of Fame for Banking & Finance. 
  • Ranked in Banking & Finance by Chambers UK 2024.
  • Ranked in the Top 50 Rainmakers in Scotland by Who’s Who.