Blogs & opinions
World Environment Day 2025: Personal and professional ways to support a healthier planet.
This World Environment Day, 5 June 2025, the Sustainability Committee is proud to shine a light on the small but meaningful ways we’re each making a difference, whether that is at home, at work, or across the legal profession.
Civil Aid Inquiry: the conversation continues
Having given evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on their Civil Legal Aid Inquiry, Law Society of Scotland President, Pat Thom watched the next two sessions and shares her take on proceedings.
Allyship through amplification: How choices make culture
Last month our Head of Diversity, Careers and Outreach, Lindsay Jack, delivered the closing keynote address, ‘Allyship Through Amplification’, at the Association of Law Teachers 60th anniversary Annual Conference. Now, Lindsay reflects on the experience and shares why you should prioritise amplifying the stories of underrepresented and marginalised voices.
A Street Law perspective: Engaging schools in a legal career
In the next instalment of our street law series, Claire Welsh, Trainee Solicitor in the Litigation, Regulatory & Tax team and Lara Wilkie, Practice Development Executive (Projects) and soon to be trainee at Pinsent Masons in Glasgow, share the influence of our street law programme on the future generation of solicitors.
Civil Aid Inquiry: A much needed conversation
Pat Thom, Co-Convener of our Legal Aid Committee and Vice President of the Law Society of Scotland, reflects on her experience of giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee’s Inquiry on Civil Legal Aid and the implications of this important and much needed discussion.
Accredited Paralegal roundup: A busy start to the year and new opportunities
Laura McBain, our Affiliates and Accreditations Manager and Secretary to the Accredited Paralegal Committee, reflects on the first five months of the year and the new opportunities in the pipeline.
Politics and the 2025 Programme for Government
Hew Edgar interim Policy Manager at the Law Society of Scotland, reflects on the 2025 Programme for Government, Legal Aid, making cases for good law and policy and what lies ahead.
AML Spotlight: Regulation 39 - Reliance
AML Risk Manager Dale Trahms examines when it's appropriate to rely on another professional’s client due diligence (CDD), the risks faced in doing so, and why a bank’s CDD is not an ideal solution.
Stay curious - and stand for the Law Society Council
In her blog, Law Society Council member Arlene Gibbs explains how curiosity encouraged her to stand to represent solicitors in Aberdeenshire in 2023- and encourages members to consider standing for current vacancies in three local constituencies.
Reflecting on World IP Conference 2025...
Mark Cruickshank and Roisin Higgins KC reflect on the Faculty of Advocates' Annual World IP Day conference on Friday 17 April.
Stress: listening for lightbulb moments
In light of Stress Awareness Month, Olivia Moore, our Careers and Wellbeing Manager, reflects on the implications of stress and the conversations which have helped put this into perspective.
Kicking off Street Law: Preparing to train the next generation of lawyers
As part of our series to mark Street Law's 10th anniversary, Madeleine Kelly, a final year LLB student at the University of Edinburgh, reflects on completing our annual Street Law training last year, which aims to bring a legal education into schools.
Law Society launches WIDEN network
Our Equality and Diversity Manager, Elaine MacGlone, provides an update on the recent launch of a new network to support best practice in equity, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing.
Women in Law Scotland is back!
Women in Law Scotland, a group aimed at promoting gender equity in the Scottish legal profession, has recently relaunched. Co-chair Laura Meldrum, a senior associate at Harper Macleod, discusses what the group aims to achieve and the challenges that need tackled.
Supporting employees through hidden struggles: Why addiction awareness in the workplace matters
Steve McCann, Director of MCG Consulting, brings over 20 years of experience in the legal industry and professional development to open up the conversation on addiction in the workplace and what practical changes every business can make to ensure colleagues feel safe and supported.
Supporting your staff through a crisis: Why forward planning matters
The Law Society of Scotland’s Outreach and Engagement Manager, Amber Shadle, shares a real time example of how prioritising staff wellbeing has been integral to managing a crisis and why forward planning is crucial to putting your colleagues first.
2024’s In-house Rising Star: My legal journey and why I chose a career in-house
Last year’s winner of the In-house Rising Star Award, Cameron Ramage, returns to look back on his career and what attracted him to working in-house in light of nominations opening for 2025’s award.
Wellbeing skills for line managers: Sign up for our free four-part Lawscot Wellbeing series
Olivia Moore, the Law Society’s Careers & Wellbeing Manager, shares our new Lawscot Wellbeing training series, which targets managers with essential skills in supporting teams and developing yourself.
What’s it really like to work in law in Scotland?
LawCare, the mental health charity for the legal sector, highlights why it’s important we know what working in law in Scotland is really like and how individuals and businesses can shape the future of the profession.
Why Scottish law firms should consider digital client onboarding in 2025
Our Member Benefits partner, Amiqus, discuss why Scottish law firms should embrace digital tools for vetting and onboarding new clients in 2025.
Meet our new Head of AML: Gemma Turnbull
Gemma Turnbull joined the Law Society in January as our new Head of Anti-Money Laundering (AML). In our Q&A, find out more about Gemma, what she thinks is the biggest risk facing the legal profession today and her one piece of advice on AML to all members.
Change the culture: our 2025 focus
Our Equality and Diversity Manager, Elaine MacGlone, explains our theme for 2025 of 'change the culture' and why it's so important to businesses.
Member forums: Legal aid, recruitment and what’s next
Half way through our Lawscot Member Forums for the year, we catch-up with Member Engagement Manager, Sara Czarny, to reflect on the key points of discussion and what we’ve done with your feedback.
It's never too late: How changing careers at 50 transformed my life
In light of winning Paralegal of the Year at the Scottish Legal Awards in November 2024, Nikki Scott, Paralegal Manager at Blackadders LLP, shares how it’s never too late to find a career you love.