Got a passion for the profession?

In this election season, the Society has been delighted with the number of solicitors who took time out of their busy lives this year to stand for Council. We had a total of 21 candidates vying for just 11 seats, a really positive indication of engagement levels. That’s not to say that all those who stood agree with everything the Society says and does, but what it does mean is that those who stand want to be involved. They want to influence the decision making process. And what’s more… they believe that they can.

While Council is clearly not everyone’s preferred way of getting involved, there are numerous other ways in which you can use your skills, qualities and experience to influence and contribute to the way in which your profession grows and evolves.

The Society's committees, for example, carry out valuable work looking at a range of issues to do with improving legal practice, the law and protecting the public interest. The committee system covers an incredible variety of subjects and issues, and their relative success is dependent on their members. So for example, if "Rural Affairs" is your thing, if you’re an "Intellectual Property" expert or if you’re passionate about "Access to Justice", there’s a committee for you. In fact there are currently 23 vacancies across 16 committees – some requiring solicitors, some non-solicitors. The opportunities for networking and professional development are extensive and there really is something for everyone. If you’ve got a passion for the profession, come and share it with us.

But be quick – the deadline for these vacancies is 12 noon on 23 June 2017. Find all the details, and the application form, at this link.

And while we’re on the subject of getting involved, it really would be a case of "the wood for the trees", not to mention the range of mentoring opportunities available. Mentoring allows you to give something back on a one to one basis. And like joining a committee or Council, there’s something in it for you too.

We provide all the training you’ll need to become a mentor and it’s a great skill to have, another string to your proverbial bow, not to mention the satisfaction you’ll derive from directly influencing the life of someone who will benefit in spades from what you have to offer.

You can mentor through our Trainee CPD scheme or through the Lawscot Foundation, our charity established to support academically talented law students throughout the course of their legal educations. In our first year, we received 51 applications for just eight bursaries, an indication of the need for support, financial and otherwise from these aspiring solicitors, some of whom may be the first in their families to attend university. Your input can make a real difference.

So as you flick back to your preferred news source and the general election coverage, it’s pretty clear that we couldn’t all be parliamentarians, neither would we want to, but we can still get involved in the parliamentary process, we’ve all got a vote. We can all make a difference!