Scotland’s Legal Pioneers

At the Society’s Annual Conference, six inspiring members of the legal sector were announced as the inaugural winners of the Legal Pioneer Award.

Launched as part of the Society’s 75^th anniversary commemorations, the award sought nominations from solicitors and non-solicitors, past and present who have made a significant contribution to the Scottish legal sector.

When speaking to attendees in person and online at the Annual Conference in Edinburgh on Thursday, 31 October 2024, the Society’s Chief Executive Diane McGiffen reminded the audience how the Scottish legal sector is ‘dynamic, diverse and thriving’ and down to those in the profession who drive its success.

The sector and Society’s history have a number of legal pioneers who have made a significant difference to the profession, from Madge Easton Anderson in the 1920s through to present day.

As every decade has brought with it changes and challenges, the profession has adapted, helped by those willing to lead and inspire.

Society President Susan Murray presented the awards to the six well deserved recipients.

Barbara Bolton, Legal Director at JustRight Scotland was awarded for contributions to human rights law and improving access to justice for all.

Geraldine Kelm, Partner and Head of Vario Flexible Services at Pinsent Masons waa awarded for her contributions to legal freelancing, helping make it a sustainable career option for lawyers. Speaking to the Journal, Geraldine said:

“I am absolutely thrilled to have received the Law Society of Scotland Legal Pioneer award, launched this year as part of the Society’s 75^th Anniversary celebrations. When Pinsent Masons launched Vario back in 2013, legal freelancing in Scotland (outside locum roles) was virtually unheard of, so to be at the forefront of driving change in the alternative legal services market over the past decade has been both exciting and professionally rewarding. This award is fantastic recognition for the part that Pinsent Masons Vario has played in pioneering legal freelancing in the Scottish market, both as a go-to solution for clients, and a sustainable alternative career option for highly talented Scottish legal professionals.”

Alison Reid, CEO and Principal Solicitor at Clan Childlaw – awarded for her work championing the importance of legal representation for children and young people. Alison was recently interviewed by the Journal, for her work and her course with the Society, which you can read here: Protecting children's rights. Speaking of her win, Alison commented:

“Clan Childlaw is the only charity in Scotland that provides child-centred legal representation exclusively for children and young people. We empower others to support children and young people to use their rights and we influence children’s rights focused change to practice, policy and law. Clan has lead on several significant children’s rights cases heard by the Supreme Court.”

Professor Colin Reid, Professor Emeritus at the University of Dundee Law School – awarded for his contributions to environmental law which have been reflected in the development of legislation. On receiving his award,Colin commented:

“It was a great surprise and honour to be recognised in this way, especially as the only academic among those receiving an award. Over the length of my career, environmental law has developed into a major and pervasive area of legal activity, and it has been a pleasure to see many of those that I have taught going on to play significant roles in environmental regulation and practice. I have always valued the close connections in Scotland between the academic and practitioner worlds. Engaging with practitioners through writing and conferences is something that I have always seen as important, as well as being able to contribute through roles on Law Society committees and at Holyrood. 

“It should also be said that the real pioneers were those who led me into this area of work at the early stage of my career: in planning law Jeremy Rowan-Robinson and Eric Young, and more generally Frank Lyall, with whom I worked to develop the first environmental law courses at Aberdeen in the 1980s and whose book Air, Noise, Water and Waste (1982) was the first modern account of the subject in Scotland.”

Melissa Rutherford, Director at Rutherford Sheridan and Iain Smith, Partner at Keegan Smith, were awarded for leading developments in trauma informed legal practice. When speaking to the Journal, Melissa said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be recognised by the Law Society of Scotland as a Legal Pioneer and thrilled to have been one of the first batch of winners of this new award. It is so important to me that the work we have done on trauma informed and trauma responsive law is being noticed, accepted, supported and most of all acknowledged by our governing body and members. All of us at Trauma Aware Law have worked tirelessly to promote and commit to the principles of Trauma informed practice and this award recognises that. “ 

Iain added: “Over the past six years a small group of like-minded individuals formed the Trauma Aware Law Group. Our aims were to shine a light on the horrific impact of childhood trauma on the developing brain. This includes issues with physical & mental health & connections to addictions, poor self-regulation and crime. Trauma informed approaches are now being developed in our courts & tribunals, sentencing guidelines, the LLB & DLP and the specialist Law Society Accredited Course on Trauma. In a short time, there have been many positive changes but we are far from the finish line. This is only the start. The real achievement will be when trauma awareness is mundane & ubiquitous. 

“Trauma Aware Law wish to thank the Law Society on bestowing this award on the team. It is much appreciated. “  

Presenting the awards, Diane McGiffen added: “The Society’s judging panel were impressed by all of the nominees put forward for our new award and it was certainly no easy task to decide on our winners.

“In making more than one award today, we wanted to highlight not just the passion and dedication that these individuals have for their work, but the breadth of the work of our nominees and the real impact they have had. Huge congratulations to all our legal pioneers – they have all made such important contributions to the law and legal practice in Scotland and beyond.”

The presenting of the awards was a proud moment for the profession, and incredibly inspiring to those in the room and dialling in remotely.

Congratulations once again to all the inaugural winners of the 2024 Legal Pioneer Award.

Written by Rebecca Morgan, Editor of the Journal, Law Society of Scotland