Profile

What made you pursue a career as a solicitor?

I’m from a farming background, but being outside in the rain, cold and mud for a livelihood didn’t appeal. Actually from about age 13, I wanted to do nothing else but be a lawyer – I read a lot and chose to study traditional law degree subjects such as Latin and ancient Greek! I didn’t know any solicitors or have any experience of them, but for some reason I wanted to be a criminal defence lawyer (there’s still time).

Why did you decide to stand for Council?

I was initially co-opted when a vacancy arose in the Aberdeen constituency and I wrote to the Society complaining after someone erroneously told me I couldn’t apply because I worked in the country town of Inverurie. I hadn’t actually wanted to apply, but being told I couldn’t was a red rag.

What’s your top tip for new lawyers?

Apply to join Council! We’re looking at present for a recently qualified lawyer (less than five years) to represent new lawyers. Also remember to strike a good work/life balance from early on – many of us never really did and probably still don’t. Your children are only young once.

Have your perceptions of the Society changed since you joined Council?

Very much so. Like many solicitors of my generation I’d been led to believe that the Society was basically run by elderly gentlemen, who were likely to be anti-progress, and therefore to avoid being involved at any cost. I’ve no idea if that was ever the case but it certainly has not been my experience. I spent a period of my apprenticeship, on my employer’s instruction, tormenting who I suspect was the Secretary over radio advertising and running proposed jingles past him, knowing they’d be rejected. Changed days now.

What have been the highlights for you personally?

Successfully opposing the proposed rule change to stop solicitors acting for lender and borrower in a conveyancing transaction. At one point I was a lone voice on Council against the rule change. I may well have been wrong and that argument will undoubtedly come back, but it proved to me that if you stand up for something and persevere, it can be effective (or maybe I’m just thrawn).

What are the main issues that you think Council has to address at the moment?

Member engagement is always no 1, and ensuring we remain the regulatory authority.

What has been the most surprising aspect of your work as a Council member?

The sheer number of volunteers, both solicitor and non-solicitor, who give up an incredible amount of their time and energy to benefit the profession and ultimately the clients. There is a staggering number involved on an incredible amount of committees. They are so essential to the whole process, yet are generally unseen and unthanked by the profession at large.

What are you most looking forward to as part of the Society’s new strategy?

The day when we can prove that, as a Society, we are as good as the best and far better than the rest, i.e world class.

If you could change only one thing for your members, what would it be?

Abolish emails! It’s probably a generation thing.

What keeps you busy outside of work?

Family, the Law Society (!), ballroom dancing (or limping), horse riding, cooking and music.