President

August. Where did summer go? September beckons, and while I love the colours of autumn, I’m not sure I’m ready for it yet.

The presidential diary is undoubtedly a little quieter than usual in August, but there’s still plenty to do. I joined a panel early in August at the Scottish Parliament Festival of Politics, chaired by the Deputy Presiding Officer, to discuss “How to Disagree Agreeably”. I’ve talked before of my hope that we can be kinder to each other, for the sake of all of our wellbeing, but I was a little apprehensive about what this event would be like. I surprised myself when I really enjoyed it – a virtually full room, no unpleasantness, and an altogether positive experience. My involvement brought the Society lots of profile, which was good too.

Lunch, twice, with representatives from our larger firms, meetings with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, with SLAB, with the chief executive of the Scottish Arbitration Centre and, most excitingly, my first trip to meet our members, this time in Jedburgh. And, of course, our response to the call for evidence on the Regulation of Legal Services Bill. Lots to keep me busy.

But August means more than that. It marks for me a time of beginnings. I realised recently that, perhaps more than January, my year feels like it starts at the end of summer. My home life follows an academic year more than the calendar one. My children have long since left school, yet we continue to view the end of the summer holidays as the start of the “year”. For our law students starting their degrees, for those starting training contracts, and for those finally qualifying, August and the months around it really are beginnings.

Where are they now?

That got me thinking about law degrees. We’ve been talking recently at the Society of the options which a law degree opens. It offers so many career paths, and our members are spread not only around the world, but across all sectors of business. I thought back to my own university class and where my contemporaries are, and what they are or have been doing.

It’s an impressive list. Sir Iain Livingstone, very recently retired Chief Constable of Police Scotland, is probably the one most will recognise. But another gave up a City career to run an olive farm in Puglia (watch the first of the Clive Myrie’s Italian Road Trip series if you don’t believe me); several of our country’s top KCs were in that class; two are senators in the Court of Session; another a former deputy chair of the Scottish Land Court; one lives and works in Bermuda (still a Scottish solicitor); another has spent much of his career in the private equity world.

One is the executive chairman of one of the country’s best known makers of ice cream. Another is a professional artist and owns a lovely gallery on the east coast of Scotland. Broadcasting, estate management, HR, and academia have seen others make their careers, and that of course does not account for many of you practising in private practice or in-house, in criminal and civil practice across Scotland and the world. And our own member and regulatory body, the Law Society of Scotland, has more than one of the class. For this year, that includes me, but our very own Director of Professional Practice is also a member of the group.

Recognition

I mention all of these not because I’m delighted to be in touch with most of these people so many years after we started at the University of Aberdeen. Instead I do so because it really does demonstrate how far and in how many different directions a Scottish law degree can take you. Be proud of your Scottish law degree and qualifications. I’ve talked before of my pride in being a Scottish solicitor. In our responses to the bills we’re dealing with, we’ve talked a lot about the international recognition our Scottish legal system and profession have. Our profession is held in high regard. It is important we uphold the values which we solicitors recognise as important. For all of you starting a new beginning at this point in the year, all the very best wishes for your future whatever you do. I’m speaking at the University of Glasgow Diploma Ceremony next month. One of those in my year has a daughter who will be present at that ceremony. Now I feel old!

I started our series of Meet the Members meetings in August, and September/October hold lots more. I am looking forward to them all. Please, if you can, come to meet us – I’d love to meet as many of you as possible.

And this month’s Presidential Playlist entries: A Million Dreams, Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zif Zaifman – for those starting their careers with a Scottish legal degree, dream big!

Far Side of the World, Tide Lines – simply because the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was one of my favourite nights of festival season in Edinburgh.