Voting open for highlands and islands Council member

At this stage in my career, I am keen to give something back to the profession and to broaden my practice knowledge. I consider that joining the Law Society Council would be a good opportunity to further both of these aims.

Coming to Scottish Law via the Law Society’s pre-diploma traineeship I had early exposure to my professional body. Drumsheugh Gardens was a hive of activity and I was always impressed by the dedication and helpfulness of those that worked there.
Since then I have become involved in the Donald Dewar Debating Tournament and the Law Society’s mentoring scheme both of which reassure me that the future of our profession is in safe hands.
However as a former psychiatric nurse I maintain a keen interest in mental health issues and solicitors have their fair share of difficulties. Through my work with LawCare I am constantly reminded that the nature of our trade can be a contributory factor in anxiety, depression and alcohol problems. These issues have been higher on the national agenda than at any time in the past and where possible I am keen to promote openness and acceptance around mental health issues as a stepping stone to improved outcomes.
I am grateful to the profession that I have worked in for the last 13 years and if elected to Council will do my best to represent my area at the national level and give time to those who want a voice in Edinburgh.

I have been a practicing Solicitor since 2011, initially working for a small private client firm in Shetland, before joining Shetland Islands Council in 2014 where I am currently employed. My main areas of practice include Conveyancing, Crofting Law, Employment Law, Civil Litigation and Social Work Law. At a relatively early stage in my legal career, I am extremely interested in the work of the Law Society and it’s role in supporting members, as well as shaping the future of the profession. It would be a huge privilege and an exciting challenge to be elected as a member of the Council and represent the local constituency. It is important that members gain a better understanding of the work of the council, both to the profession and the public. If elected I would aim to strengthen the relationships and communication between the Society and the rural legal communities, making sure every voice is heard and that members feel encouraged to share their views/experiences. I would be grateful of the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the legal profession and to learn, share experiences and become better connected with my legal colleagues around Scotland.

I am interested in doing more than just moaning about how things are – I would like the opportunity to change things! Being a Council member would enable me to make sure that the views of those of in the North of Scotland are properly represented and taken into consideration by the Council in particular and the Law Society in general. Being a solicitor in private practice looking after a busy rural firm means that I am exposed to lots of the issues that affect most of us in the north in one way or another. I am also interested in ensuring that those of us who are in smaller, high street firms – and are proud of it – have our views heard. I would like a chance to make sure that the importance of legal firms of all sizes is recognised and celebrated by the Law Society and the Council.
For the last few years I have sat on the boards of various charites and trusts which has given me a good understanding of how bodies such as the Council work and run. I would intend to use these experience for the benefit of us in the north.