The First XI

Ian Smart, President of the Society, is sole principal of Ian S Smart & Co, Cumbernauld, a general practice in which he does primarily court work.

Jamie Millar, Vice President (who has also just completed three years as treasurer), is a partner in Brodies with 30 years’ experience as a corporate lawyer in Glasgow.

Richard Henderson CB, Past President, retired in 2007 as head of the Government Legal Service in Scotland, which he joined on qualifying in 1972.

David McClements, the new treasurer, is a partner with Russel + Aitken, Denny, working in private client. He has a special interest in incapacity and mental health law.

Alistair Morris is CEO of Pagan Osborne, responsible for overseeing all operations and ensuring that the firm delivers a consistently high quality service.

David Newton is a general litigator and chamber practitioner at the PRG partnership in Clydebank.

Farah Adams is sole principal of Adams Law, Blairgowrie, with a workload of private client and employment law but a focus on the hospitality and tourism sector.

Christine McLintock is Risk & Knowledge Management Partner, McGrigors LLP, also responsible for compliance, IT services and more; and chairs McGrigors’ board.

Ross MacKay (membership) is a partner with HBJ Gateley Wareing, dealing with property as well as holding money laundering and client relations duties.

Janet Hood (representation) is a licensing specialist and head of BII Scotland, the professional body of the licensed trade. She also chairs the In-house Lawyers Group.

Alison Atack (regulation) is a Glasgow based partner in Lindsays, dealing with private client work: tax planning, wills, family matters including small business succession.

Captain’s handshake

I’ve tried to set this out in a way that makes some sense. It is so difficult to sum up the various talents in the space available. In the end I’ve settled on the universal language of football. I write this on the weekend after FC Barcelona won in a unique style the Champions League Final. Apologies to anyone who is less familiar with the language!

Richard/Valdes. The last line of defence. Having done his bit in the early stages, he is hoping to emulate his alter ego and to watch the second half as a spectator.

Jamie/Toure. Playing in a new position, but a central figure to the team’s success.

Farah/Pique. A rising star. Not to be underestimated in her reading of the game; capable of the critical intervention.

David N/Sylvinho. The (not too) old head, good under pressure and a constant source of reference for his younger teammates.

David M/Busquets. The water (in David’s case, the money) carrier. The guy who gets the ball and then decides whether to play it forward or just to keep it.

Alistair/Xavi. One of the two key midfield geniuses. Capable of great vision and the perfectly placed forward pass.

Christine/Iniesta. Xavi’s partner in arms. Mortified to be chosen as the best player in the team.

Ross/Henry. Senior pro. Still capable of the flash of brilliance when required but of more effect still when drawing on a lifetime of professional experience.

Janet/Eto’o. Bit of a prima donna, but a deadly finisher given the chance.

Alison/Messi. Constantly double marked by the SLCC and the Scottish Government. Nonetheless, the cog around which everything else turns. Get it right and everything else falls into place.

Me/Puyol (Captain). A one club man. Probably past his best but still capable of raising his game for one last performance.

That’s your First XI for the new season.

A successful team needs two other things. First, a manager. This year we brought in our own “Mister”: Lorna Jack, our new Chief Executive. We are confident she will prove to be our Pepe Guardiola, bringing success in her very first season.

But the second, and the most important of all, is a support. We, all of us are happy to take criticism; it’s not just football that is all about opinions. But we ask that even as we make mistakes, as we inevitably will, we can retain your belief that we are doing our best we can on your behalf. If you don’t like the results, change the players. Don’t trash the team.