From nursing to law: How last year’s Paralegal of the Year found their dream job

A year after winning ‘Paralegal of the Year 2023’ at the Herald Scotland Law Awards and taking on the position of Convener of the Accredited Paralegal Committee, Sharon Connolly sits down to share her unlikely entrance into the legal sector and the importance of continuous career development.

Nothing is more daunting to me as being asked to write a blog and sitting down with a blank sheet of paper - so let’s give this a go! Given the subject matter was to be about myself and my career you think I would be well placed to write this but I still found it difficult.

So introductions, I’m Sharon Connolly, Law Society of Scotland Accredited Paralegal (Residential and Commercial Conveyancing) and the Director of Compliance at Macnabs, Solicitors, Perth. I have, as my grey hair and wrinkles will testify, over three decades of experience in the legal industry.

The last 12 months or so have been possibly the most significant in my career to date. I was so honoured and pleased to be awarded “Paralegal of the Year 2023” at the Herald Scotland Law Awards in November last year. Subsequently, just a month later, I have also taken up the role of Convener of the Law Society’s Accredited Paralegal Committee to continue the incredible work of the past convener Karen Leslie and the Committee. Not only are we continuing to promote the role of the paralegal, but I’ve been very proud to be involved in the development of the new Paralegal Practice (CertHE) course that the Law Society and Robert Gordon University launched in September of last year.

Qualifications for paralegals looked very different when I started out, it was in 1992 that I earned my first qualification, which sparked my passion for continuous learning and professional development. Paralegals in those days were not well heard of. Having been a member of the Scottish Paralegal Association since it came to be in 1993 (and still am), when the Law Society of Scotland introduced the Accredited Paralegal Status, I seized the opportunity. Over the years, I've accumulated five paralegal qualifications in various areas and from various organisations, including:

• Residential Conveyancing
• Advanced Residential Conveyancing
• Wills & Executries
• Commercial Conveyancing
• Debt Recovery

Although I now hold five accreditations, I did not take what many might say as a ‘traditional’ route to becoming a paralegal. In fact, it wasn’t in the top of my list of things to do when I left school. I was adamant that I wanted to do nursing, I did all my sciences even though my guidance teacher wanted me to do office skill subjects. I secured my place on a Nursing Degree Course at university and took a year out which then, unknown to me at the time, changed my life path. In the meantime, I started my career at Thorntons, where the then Office Manager (the late Pat Dunn) declared that I would have a great career in Law and running offices. Still adamant I was going to Uni to do nursing I was grateful for her vote of confidence but thought nothing more of it. It was only until I delayed my university entrance another year for personal reasons and took on a 6 month maternity cover secretarial role at Elliot & Company WS, Perth, did I realise law might be for me! I then stayed doing various roles and progressing my career for the next 14 years!

In addition to my Paralegal role, the Office Manager and general go to person at Elliot & Company, I played a crucial role in business development and was actively involved in the firm's acquisitions. These experiences enriched my understanding of the legal industry's business aspects and prepared me for my subsequent role at Macnabs, which I joined in 2005 – almost 20 years ago!

On top of working predominantly in residential and commercial conveyancing in Macnabs’ property team, I am also very involved in business development and marketing at the firm, writing blog articles, press pieces and developing video content and, as Director of Compliance, I contribute significantly to the firm's operations and management including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) guidance and procedures, the firm’s case management and IT strategy, and office policies. My role as you can see is a varied and busy one!

So why should you do it? I can confidently say no two days are the same as a paralegal. When I started, the number of paralegals was small and their role and experience was not well known. I am pleased to say that over the years this has changed with paralegals playing an important part in many firms and client matters. As my career journey to date has shown it can also lead to involvement in other areas.

Whether it’s through the Accredited Paralegal Committee or my role in Macnabs, I hope to play my part in highlighting the advantages of holding accreditations and encourage many more to think about a career as a paralegal.

Do I look back and wish I had done nursing? The short answer is no. I look back over my years grateful for those I have worked with and with much fondness, even on the most stressful of settlement Fridays! My journey has been one of continuous growth and dedication to the legal profession, and I look forward to many more years of contributing to the success of Macnabs and supporting the development of future legal professionals.

Sharon Connolly is an Accredited Paralegal, Director of Compliance at Macnabs and Convener of the Law Society of Scotland’s Accredited Paralegal Committee.