Blogs & opinions
World Suicide Prevention Day – how can you and your workplace get involved?
Olivia Moore who leads our Lawscot Wellbeing work discusses how employers and individuals can get involved in raising awareness to mark World Suicide Prevention Day 2020 on Thursday, 10 September.
Who is your in-house rising star of 2020
The In-house Rising Star award is a fantastic opportunity to recognise outstanding in-house trainees and NQs. Beth Anderson, Head of Engagement for In-house Lawyers at the Society, talks about why, this year more than ever, she would encourage the celebration of emerging in-house talent.
Reflections on working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic
John Morrison, Legal Counsel at Phoenix Group and In-house Lawyers Committee vice-convener, shares some thoughts on adapting to new working practices as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
What is taking the US Bar Exam like?
Adam Ridley, shares his experience about sitting the Bar Exam and how it has benefited his career so far.
Journal editorial August 2020
Alleviating the impact of COVID-19 would be a better use of Holyrood's time between now and the election than the Hate Crime Bill
Levelling the playing field
The moderation of Scottish exams results has once again highlighted the challenges faced by pupils from lower-performing schools. Heather McKendrick, Head of Careers & Outreach, discusses how the Law Society is attempting to ensure fair access to the profession, what more needs to be done and how employers can help.
Advocating hope - lessons from summer school
Our week-long virtual summer school had sessions on a wide variety of topics, including exploring the work of advocates. Attendee Julian Thomson discusses the impactful words of one particular speaker and how they inspired him to explore advocacy as a career.
Virtual summer school inspires the next generation of lawyers
For the first time ever, the Law Society of Scotland ran its summer school virtually this year, with more than 70 pupils from across Scotland attending. Mac Sanderson, a fifth-year pupil at Boroughmuir High School Edinburgh, discusses his experience of the summer school and why everyone interested in a career in law should sign up.
Virtual ways to boost your employability
With social distancing measures in force across the country, Laura McLay, a third-year law student at the University of Edinburgh, looks at the virtual ways aspiring legal professionals can develop their skills and gain work experience online.
What is important to young lawyers?
The International Bar Association invites young lawyers in the Scottish legal profession to take part in their worldwide survey to understand future trends.
Hints and tips for trainees whilst being supervised remotely
Rob Marrs, Head of Education at the Law Society, shares some hints and tips about how trainees can be proactive in getting the most from their remote supervision, as working from home becomes more commonplace.
Journal editorial July 2020
If action on court provision is not taken soon, we may face a hard choice between preserving the jury system and protecting human rights
Law exams vs home school: Life as a law student mum in lockdown
Zoe Workman, a LLB student at Stirling University, reveals what it's like to home school three primary-age children, while also studying for her law exams during the lockdown.
Street Law - a priceless opportunity
Street Law trainer, Emmanuel De Abreu, provides a reflection of his time as a street law trainer and why law students should consider getting involved
How to combat imposter syndrome before it hinders your success
Amina Amin, a first-year trainee solicitor at Jones Whyte LLP, offers her top five tips to others just starting their legal career on how to combat imposter syndrome.
How mindfulness can help us with our 'new normal'
In the latest in her series on mental wellbeing, Hannah Frahm explains how mindfulness can help us in the 'new normal' we find ourselves in.
Developing a wellbeing strategy for a high street practice post-coronavirus
Following on from a workshop with high street practitioners Olivia Moore, Careers Development Officer at the Law Society of Scotland, lays out some simple steps for smaller employers to include in a wellbeing strategy following the coronavirus pandemic.
Watching Scotland's first virtual summary trial
Our Policy Executive and Criminal Law Committee Secretary, Gillian Mawdsley, watches legal history being made as an observer of the first virtual summary court trial taking place in Scotland this week.
Journal editorial June 2020
Recent behaviour by Government has not encouraged respect for the rule of law, and a very different approach is needed to build future trust
Bias and allyship
Being aware of, and addressing, our individual biases is an extremely important part of encouraging society to practise being actively anti-racist, says Jamila Archibald, a solicitor in the commercial disputes and regulation team at Shepherd and Wedderburn.
Surviving lockdown as a working parent
Having recently returned to work from maternity leave, Heather McKendrick, our Head of Careers & Outreach, offers her personal experience of juggling work and childcare during lockdown, and why speaking to other parents and carers is such a help.
Gender equality progress must continue for the benefit of all
As the Law Society publishes the findings of its gender equality roundtables, Past President Alison Atack reflects on the progress made across the profession to promote gender equality, the work still to do and tangible ways people can help.
Progressing accelerated written pleas of guilty during lockdown
Our co-convener of the Legal Aid Committee, Ian Moir, writes about his work to progress written pleas of guilty during the current Covid-19 lockdown
Why you should consider a career in-house
Craig Smith, solicitor at East Dunbartonshire Council, discusses his experience of being an in-house trainee and why a career in-house is well worth considering.