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IMD 2024: The impact of a positive male role model
For 2024’s International Men’s Day, James McFarlane, Legal Counsel at The Royal Bank of Scotland and creator of the first Men’s Wellbeing Group in Scotland’s legal sector, shares the influence of positive male role models on his life and why it’s important to have them in the legal profession.
How to be a menopause-friendly employer
For World Menopause Day on 18 October, Burness Paull's Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager, Emma Smith, explains what it means to them to be re-accredited as a 'Menopause Friendly' workplace and how every firm can support women through this stage of life.
Black History Month 2024: Reclaiming narratives
Lindsay Jack, the Law Society’s Head of Diversity, Careers, and Outreach, considers how best to promote allyship and engage meaningfully with colleagues, clients, friends and others during Black History Month, and beyond.
Building a kinder, accessible legal profession
As we mark the Society's 75th anniversary, Elizabeth Rose, Legal Director and Founder of L&M MediLaw and Scottish Legal Awards Lawyer of the Year 2023, reflects on the evolution of the profession’s approach to inclusivity and client engagement and her innovative approach to setting up and running a trauma-informed and accessible practice.
Deaf Awareness Week: How to communicate inclusively
Dhana McIver, a solicitor and disability officer at Balfour + Manson who is also profoundly deaf, discusses the extent of hearing loss across the UK and what we can all do to communicate in a more inclusive way.
Celebrating Vaisakhi
The major Sikh festival Vaisakhi takes place on 14 April this year. Kirndeep Kaur, a solicitor and member of our Equality and Diversity committee, explains its significance, how it is celebrated and the reflections it brings.
What Easter means to me
Holy Week, the last week of Lent leading up to Easter Sunday and most sacred time in the Christian calendar, begins on 24 March. As we approach Easter, Meya Phiri, a solicitor and member of our Equality and Diversity sub-committee, reflects on what it means to her.
International Women’s Day 2024: Inspiring inclusion
For International Women's Day 2024, our President Sheila Webster reflects on the women who have inspired her in her career and what we can all do to progress gender equality in the legal profession.
Chinese New Year 2024: Learning from the dragon
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year and the Spring Festival, is on 10 February this year. As the auspicious Year of the Dragon begins, Ruth Medlock, a senior solicitor at Miller Samuel Hill Brown, reflects on the Zodiac calendar and the lessons we can all learn from its symbolism.
LGBT+ History Month: Words matter
For LGBT+ History Month, Gordon Lennox WS, Director at Macdonald Henderson and a Law Society Council member, reflects on his experience growing up gay in the 1970s and '80s, how times have changed for the LGBT+ community, and why 'coming out' needs to be consigned to history.
Increasing the pace of disability inclusion
For International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD), our Head of Education Rob Marrs reflects on the work done over the past year to improve disability inclusion.
South Asian Heritage Month: Embracing dual identity in modern Scotland
In the last of our blogs for this year's South Asian Heritage Month and its theme 'Stories to tell', Anoop Joshi, VP, Legal & Platform Integrity at Trustpilot, shares what it's like to balance and weave together two cultural heritages and identities.
South Asian Heritage Month: Growing up with Punjabi culture
For South Asian Heritage Month, Simon Roudh, a solicitor at Morton Fraser LLP, shares how his family's Punjabi heritage has shaped his life.
Reflecting on Pride 2023
Our Equality and Diversity Manager, Elaine MacGlone, looks back on this year's packed Pride schedule.
South Asian Heritage Month: Memories of Eid
As part of South Asian Heritage Month's theme 'Stories to tell', Amna Ashraf, a senior associate at Burness Paull LLP and Law Society of Scotland Council member, shares her memories of Eid.
Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month
South Asian Heritage Month kicks off today, to commemorate and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories and communities. Amerdeep Kaur, a solicitor at Drummond Miller LLP and member of the Law Society of Scotland's Equality and Diversity Committee, explains what celebrating the month means to her.
Women and IP: Looking at the stats
This World IP Day, Law Society of Scotland Intellectual Property Committee member, Susan Ferguson-Snedden, reflects on the gender balance in IP law and what we can do to support progress.
Hospitality and celebration – my Ramadan visit to Edinburgh Central Mosque
Our Vice President, Sheila Webster, writes about her visit to Edinburgh Central Mosque with Law Society colleagues and friends for the first fast-breaking of Ramadan.
Flying the colours of Pride
As LGBTQ+ History month starts, our Equality and Diversity Manager Elaine MacGlone writes on the history and development of the iconic Rainbow flag.
Danger to lawyers at home and abroad must be tackled by us all
On the Day of the Endangered Lawyer, our Head of Education Rob Marrs reflects on the situation in Afghanistan and asks what we can do to help.
Working towards a more accessible and equitable profession
Ahead of International Day of People with Disabilities on 3 December, we spoke with trainee solicitors Fraser Mackay and Thomas McGovern to find out more about their plans and progress in setting up a group to support disabled solicitors and law students.
Being faith-friendly: an Employer's guide to Ramadhan
As we approach the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan, here's some suggestions on how employers should prepare to support employees who wish to observe it, and indeed religious festivals generally.
Diane McGiffen on International Women's Day
Our Chief Executive Diane McGiffen writes on International Women's Day about two new initiatives to help the Scottish legal profession #BreakTheBias