Blogs & opinions
Five tips on attracting and retaining Gen Z talent in the legal sector
As an influx of Gen Z enter the workforce and workplace practices continue to develop, what can you do to improve recruitment and retention? The CEO of Kara Connect, Tobba Vigfusdottir, highlights the positives of prioritising work-life balance and mental wellbeing to the success of your business.
Accredited Paralegal roundup: Reflecting on the year and what’s next
Laura McBain, Member Services Coordinator and Secretary to the Accredited Paralegal Committee, returns for her final check-in before we ring in the New Year to share her highlights, what’s left of 2024 and what you can look forward to in 2025.
Human Rights Day: The legislation challenge
For Human Rights Day, Claire Methven O’Brien, Reader in Law in the School of Law, University of Dundee, and member of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, examines the current challenges of human rights legislation and nations' efforts to implement increasingly complex requirements.
Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Dhana McIver, Private Client Solicitor at Balfour+Manson and Non-Executive Board Member of Disabling Barriers Scotland, discusses the importance of disability inclusion in all aspects of life and how we can create equal opportunities for everyone.
Law Then & Now: 75th Anniversary Special
As we conclude our 75th anniversary year, we are thrilled to introduce the 'Law Then & Now: 75th Anniversary Special' series. This series features conversations with members at various stages of their legal careers, alongside Scotland's Advocate General.
Getting us all in the room where it happens
As we mark the Society's 75th anniversary, our Head of Diversity, Lindsay Jack, reflects on equity within the profession, why diversity is an overused word and how we get to a point where it’s no longer part of the conversation.
Technology in the legal profession: Brodies and AI
In light of the Law Society’s new “Guide to generative AI”, Brodies IP associate and member of the Law Society’s Technology Law and Practice Committee, Ally Burr, gives an insight into how Brodies is approaching Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace.
Navigating AML Compliance: A Guide to Choosing the Right Digital Provider
Our Member Benefits partner, Amiqus, discuss their new guide which looks at some of the key factors that need to be considered when choosing a reliable compliance partner.
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.
COP29: Five reasons solicitors should tackle climate change
As COP29 kicks off in Azerbaijan, our Member Engagement Manager and Secretary to the Law Society’s Sustainability Committee, Sara Czarny, highlights five reasons why the legal sector should tackle climate change.
Have your say on our 2026 election priorities
We want to hear about the issues facing our members and your views on the best way forward for access to justice, running a business, legislative reform and the justice system as a whole.
Stress: any progress on the common enemy?
Six years after the Scottish Young Lawyers Association (SYLA) revealed how solicitors viewed mental health in the workplace, the Law Society's Careers and Wellbeing Manager, Olivia Moore, puts it back under the microscope for Stress Awareness Week to understand how far we’ve come and what’s left to do.
New Trade Sanctions Enforcement: Implications for Business Compliance
Amiqus discusses the UK’s new sanctions enforcement regime, which gives the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) the power to issue significant penalties. It highlights the need for businesses to prioritise sanctions screening and comprehensive risk management, including PEPs and adverse media checks, to ensure compliance and avoid fines.
The importance of an independent legal profession
Former President of the Law Society of Scotland Ken Dalling, who was elected as Head of the UK Delegation to the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe in April this year, considers the importance of an independent legal profession and how separation from the state is intrinsically linked to the health of a democratic society on European Lawyers Day 2024.
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.
The Legal Sustainability Alliance – working together to get to net zero faster
Ahead of our workshop with the Legal Sustainability Alliance (LSA), the LSA shares the main functions of the organisation, who it works with and how it can help firms of all sizes be climate conscious.
Law centres: from radical roots to advancing rights and equality
In the Law Society's 75th anniversary year, Amy McGilp, Communication Officer at the Legal Services Agency in Glasgow, explores the history of law centres in Scotland, from their radical roots to their present day achievements in advancing rights and addressing inequality.
Smaller firms – a mighty legal force that’s local
Law Society of Scotland Vice President Pat Thom reflects on her time working for a smaller firm in the Scottish Borders, along with the positives that such businesses bring for clients, solicitors and other staff.
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.
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.
The impact of becoming a Mental Health First Aider
After completing the Scottish Mental Health First Aid Training, Gordon Lennox reflects on how it developed his understanding of mental health, the importance of asking questions and how lawyers can adapt their skills in a mental health setting.
75th Conversations: Christine McLintock and Megan Allan
In the last of our series, 75th Anniversary Conversations, past President of the Law Society from 2015-2016, Christine McLintock, and Lawscot Foundation alumnus Megan Allan meet to discuss their paths to success, the creation of the Lawscot Foundation and what they hope for the future of the profession.
Accredited Paralegal roundup: Celebrations, updates and new opportunities
Laura McBain, Member Services Coordinator and Secretary to the Accredited Paralegal Committee, is back with an update on the Paralegal Practice course, important updates to practice competencies and new opportunities for you to get involved with the accreditation.