Blogs & opinions
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Setting the foundation: How we created a university course for paralegals
In the first of three blog posts, Head of Commercial Services at the Law Society, Jim McKay, shares how we went from an idea – a university course for paralegals – to working with Robert Gordon University to bring the concept to life.
From trainee Accredited Paralegal to Committee member – how I upskilled with the Society’s accreditation.
Susan Handyside, Governance Manager at Lothian Pensions Fund and recent member of the Accredited Paralegal Committee discusses her journey to accreditation and her first few months as a committee member.
Accredited and Trainee Paralegals - Get more out of your CPD
Laura McBain, the Law Society's Member Services Coordinator and Secretary to the Accredited Paralegal Committee, highlights how trainee and Accredited Paralegals can get the most out of their CPD.
Experienced practitioner? Thinking of your next career step?
Becoming a Law Society of Scotland Accredited Specialist is an excellent way to confirm your specialist status and showcase your skills and knowledge. Find out more about taking the next step to becoming accredited.
Unlock your career's potential with a mentor
Law Society of Scotland Careers and Outreach Coordinator Georgia Turnbull outlines how matching up with a mentor can help you find and navigate the career path that's right for you.
Why you should enter the Innovation Cup
Matthew Thomson from Lockton, the brokers for the Law Society’s professional indemnity insurance Master Policy, shares the benefits of putting innovation at the forefront of risk management and why you should enter the Innovation Cup.
My 10 top tips for thriving in your traineeship
Ahead of the summer when many future solicitors will start their traineeships Cara Low, Solicitor at Burness Paull, shares her best advice for success and making the most of the opportunity.
The journey to becoming an Accredited Paralegal
Kirsty Dutch, an Accredited Paralegal in Wills, Trusts and Executries tells us about her journey to become an Accredited Paralegal.
Treading your own path: trying to secure a summer placement
Third-year law student Harley Kirk shares her experience of the difficulties securing a summer placement, and reminds other students to not compare their experiences to others.
Giving effective feedback to trainees
Rob Marrs, our Head of Education, looks at the best way to give effective, constructive feedback to a trainee that not only helps them develop, but fosters a strong learning environment.
Law fairs: Our top dos and don'ts
With law fair season upon us, our Careers and Outreach Coordinator Georgia Turnbull offers her top tips on how to get the most out of them.
Reflections on how to run a valuable virtual work experience programme
In order to gain insights into how firms and organisations might adapt to run a successful virtual or hybrid summer placement this year, Olivia Moore speaks to Burness Paull and CMS about the programmes they ran last year.
Exploring alternative careers: How I ended up building a career in marketing
As part of our blog series looking at alternative careers with an LLB, Emma O’Day, Head of Marketing at Cashroom, explores where her degree took her after graduating and deciding not to pursue a career as a solicitor.
My time as a co-opted Board member
Lynsey Walker, Partner and Solicitor Advocate at Addleshaw Goddard LLP, shares what it was like to be the Society's co-opted Board member with less than 10 years PQE, how it helped her and why she would recommend the experience to all.
Exploring alternative careers: Ever thought about lecturing?
Emma Jackson and Jason Graham, who both lecture in law at City of Glasgow College, share their experiences of lecturing in further education and what it's really like. They offer their advice on how to get into this career and how they managed it themselves.
Exploring alternative careers: Success and satisfaction outwith legal practice
As part of our series of blogs exploring alternative career options, Kirstin Nee, Head of Scotland and Northern Ireland at DUAL Asset Underwriting, explores where her degree took her after graduating and deciding not to pursue a career as a solicitor.
Exploring alternative careers: From legal practice to teaching law
Yvonne Evans is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Dundee. In this blog, she talks about making the move from working as a Private Client solicitor in a large Scottish firm to academia.
Enhancing your CV: Lockdown doesn't mean locked out
Thomas Meacher, fourth-year student on the dual qualifying LLB and President of the Dundee University Law Society, offers his top tips on how students can bolster their CV, even during the lockdown.
Succeeding in the UK job market: A guide for international students
Bianca Praino, Founder and Director of Praino Careers, offers her advice on how international law students can get themselves ready to enter the UK workplace.
Are you workplace ready?
Our Careers and Outreach Coordinator, Lyndsey Thomson, explains how mentoring can help graduates get ready for the workplace.
Exploring alternative careers: Working in Educational Technology (EdTech)
Cinzia Pusceddu is an Academic Liaison Officer (Technology Manager) at the University of Edinburgh's School of Engineering. As part of our blog series exploring alternative careers, Cinzia discusses why law students might want to consider a career in Educational Technology.
Top 10 tips for law students and graduates who are looking for a training contract
Kirsty Lang is a solicitor at Lyons Davidson and a graduate of the 2008 recession. In this piece she offers her tips for students on seeking a traineeship in difficult times.
Covid careers: navigating a path through a foggy future
Careers are rarely linear, yet that doesn't make the unexpected twists and turns any less daunting when they happen. Olivia Moore, our Careers & Wellbeing Manager, discusses the impact of coronavirus on careers and asks if you have a story to share of an unexpected career journey that could help others for our new careers blog series.
No summer placement? Don’t stress!
Hannah Leslie, Group Lawyer at Springfield Properties Plc, talks about why students who don't have legal summer placements don't need to panic about how this might impact their job prospects.