In-house Rising Star Award
Every year we recognise emerging talent within our in-house community. The In-house Rising Star Award celebrates and rewards the brilliance of trainees and NQs with up to five years' PQE who are shining in their early careers.
Working in-house brings a huge range of challenges and opportunities. The landscape of career options is forever changing and constantly attracts the brightest and the best to work for a vast array of in-house employers.
In-house legal talent shines as rising stars crowned
A local government trainee and an early career solicitor working in finance have been crowned the Law Society of Scotland’s 2026 In-house Rising Stars.
Meet some of our previous winners
I am incredibly touched to have been nominated for the In-House Rising Star Award 2026, and even more delighted to have won. A massive thank you to the judges and the Law Society for this wonderful recognition.
"I feel truly fortunate to have trained and developed my career within such an amazing in-house legal team at NatWest Group. Working for an organisation that challenges me to grow and provides opportunities to be involved in varied and rewarding work is a genuine privilege. This award is as much a reflection of my manager, team, and colleagues who consistently coach, support, and inspire me to raise the bar.
It is testament to the breadth and quality of work available for trainees in local authorities, particularly at Dumfries and Galloway Council, that four of our team members were nominated for this year's In-house Rising Star Award across both categories. I am immensely grateful to my colleagues, to my supervising solicitors and managers, and to the Council's leadership for supporting me and enabling me to win this year's award in the trainee category.
"I offer my thanks to the Panel for considering my nomination and for naming me as winner, and special thanks must go to the Law Society of Scotland for recognising the specific circumstances of in-house lawyers. As a queer person of colour, it is especially rewarding to know that there is an undoubted place for me in our profession. I look forward to seeing our profession continue its work in being welcoming and reflective of the diversity of our communities.
I’m truly honoured to receive the In-House Rising Star Award 2025. A heartfelt thank you to the panel and the Law Society for this incredible recognition. I’d also like to extend my congratulations to all the nominees for their remarkable achievements and contributions to the legal profession in Scotland.
I feel very privileged to be part of such a supportive team at Trip.com, to work alongside talented colleagues around the world, and to contribute to exciting, varied, and innovative projects. I’m especially grateful to have a leader and mentor who empowers me, trusts my work, and inspires me every day.
I’m passionate about the legal profession and dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion. I hope to continue supporting and uplifting others in their legal careers.
I am thrilled to have been awarded the In-House Rising Star Award in the trainee category for 2025. I'm fortunate to work with a group of legal colleagues who provide excellent support and offer opportunities to engage in diverse and stimulating work. This award was definitely a personal highlight for me. It's fantastic be a part of the in-house community!
Thank you very much to the panel and the Law Society for this award (and to everyone for the congratulatory messages!). I am absolutely thrilled to have won from such a talented shortlist of finalists.
I've been lucky to work with lots of amazing people and great mentors in my career so far. I am especially grateful to work with such a supportive and innovative team at Cirrus Logic who afford me the opportunity to get involved in such diverse and exciting work.
Huge congratulations to Ikra and Niamh for the runners up positions!
Thank you so much to the panel and Law Society for this privilege. I’m extremely grateful to Too Good To Go for creating such a supportive environment where I can help contribute to saving food waste.
I’ve been very lucky to work with such great lawyers over the years and this really feels like recognition of the challenges they have been patient enough to help me learn from and importantly to grow as both a lawyer and a person. I hope I can continue to help others in the legal profession in the same way as I’ve been supported in my career.
I was over the moon to be awarded the In-House Rising Star Award in 2022. All of the nominees were more than deserving winners, and it was lovely to be chosen from a group of such talented young lawyers. I am very grateful to my colleagues, past and present, who have been so supportive of my career to date. Since winning the award, I have taken on a new role at the Scottish Law Commission. I am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to further develop my career in a new area of in-house legal work.
FAQs
Who can I nominate?
Nominees must be trainees or solicitors with up to 5 years PQE, working in-house. We ask that the nominator has agreement from both the nominee and the employer before submitting the nomination.
How many prizes will be awarded?
Assuming the appropriate calibre of entries is received, we will award a winner in each of the trainee and newly qualified solicitor (up to five years PQE) categories. The judging panel may, at their discretion, make additional commendation awards or recognise a runner-up in each category.
Do I need to be working in-house to nominate someone?
No! If you work in-house, you can nominate a colleague. You can be a manager, senior leader or close colleague of an in-house lawyer (and have no legal background at all). Or, if you work in private practice you can nominate contacts or clients that deserve recognition.
Who is on the judging panel?
Each year, our judging panel is made up of In-house Lawyers Committee members, supported by the Society's Member Engagement team.
What's the prize?
We are delighted to offer the winners a free place on one of our upcoming CPD courses, worth up to six hours of CPD.
Working in-house
In-house lawyers make a critical contribution to the success of the companies and organisations that employ them. If you work in-house, we want to hear from you.
Additional
In-house Annual Conference 2026
Career Growth
We have developed practice management and leadership training as well as the opportunity to be accredited as a specialist in a number of fields.