New Scottish solicitors celebrated at admissions ceremony

The Law Society of Scotland formally welcomed 113 solicitors to the profession across two ceremonies held in central Edinburgh yesterday, marking a strong start to the year for the Scottish legal sector.

Law Society President Patricia Thom presented each of the admittees with a certificate of enrolment at the ceremonies at the historic Signet Library at Parliament Square .

Patricia Thom said: “It was an honour and a pleasure as always to congratulate our new solicitors and to celebrate their hard work. Qualifying as a Scottish solicitor is a significant achievement

“Our first admissions ceremonies of the year continues the positive growth we’ve seen in recent years as our new solicitors bring a wealth of new talent and fresh ideas. I have no doubt they will all leave a positive mark on our profession.”

Also in attendance at the ceremonies was Law Society CEO, Ben Kemp, who said: “Many congratulations to our new solicitors. It’s been a pleasure joining you and your families and friends to celebrate this important milestone. You should be very proud of yourselves!

The admittees were joined by guest speaker Naomi Pryde, Partner and Head of Litigation and Regulatory for Scotland at DLA Piper, who advised the new solicitors it was possible to make a positive difference from the earliest stages of their legal careers.

She said: “There's a saying, if you think you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito. It’s so easy to think, I’m too junior. I can't do anything to change that. But change doesn't come from status, it comes from action. You can ask yourself, is there something, no matter how small, that I can do to improve this? And often that's how change begins.

“Today marks your admission to the legal profession, but it's also an invitation. An invitation to contribute, to challenge, to improve, and to care. You are joining the legal profession at a time of real change, technological, social, and cultural, and that can feel daunting. but it's also an extraordinary opportunity. Never underestimate the difference that one thoughtful, principled solicitor can make. Be the mosquito! Congratulations again, and welcome to all the profession.”