Sarah is a rising star

Glasgow solicitor Sarah Haig has been named as the Law Society of Scotland’s In-house Rising Star 2018.

Working as part of Glasgow City Council's Legal Services team, Sarah has acquired a very high level of knowledge in the field of information law and played an integral role in implementing GDPR not just at Glasgow City Council, but as part of a wider roll out across 30 local authorities in Scotland. She has also developed online training courses in freedom of information and environmental information regulation for use by all 32,000 employees working for the city council and arm's length external organisations.

The runners up were Victoria Davidson, Legal Counsel with RBS Group plc and Oksana Orlova-Farrelly, Head of Legal at JFD Limited, a company which provides subsea engineering products, projects and services.

Graham Matthews, past president of the Law Society of Scotland, presented the Rising Star Award at the In-house Lawyers Conference in Glasgow on Monday, 18 June 2018.

Matthews said: “The Rising Star Award is a celebration of emerging talent in the in-house legal sector, which now accounts for almost a third of the Scottish solicitor profession.

“Our judges had a very difficult decision to make.  This year’s three finalists have clearly excelled within their organisations and I am delighted to congratulate the runners up Victoria and Oksana and our 2018 Rising Star Sarah.

“Sarah has demonstrated exceptional skills and commitment to her role and delivered outstanding results in demanding projects.  She has earned her colleagues’ admiration and praise for her achievements and the open helpful and friendly manner in which she works with clients and colleagues alike. She is clearly a valuable asset to her team, organisation, the profession and an excellent demonstration of in-house talent.  I am sure that Sarah’s career will go from strength to strength and I would like to wish her every success for the future.”

Sarah Haig said: “I am delighted to have received the Rising Star Award, particularly given the exceptional standard of the other shortlisted candidates. It has been great to have my role at Glasgow City Council recognised by the judges and I am very grateful to my colleagues for the fantastic opportunities and support which led to me being awarded this prestigious accolade.”

The judges in this year’s award were

• Thembe McInnes, Head of Legal at Whyte and Mackay and member of the Law Society’s In-house Lawyers Committee
• Vlad Valiente, Legal Services Manager, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, previous winner of the Rising Star Award and member the Law Society's In-house Lawyers Committee
• Olivia Parker, Law Society’s acting Head of Engagement for In-house Lawyers.

The award was launched by the Law Society in 2013 for in-house trainees and solicitors less than five years qualified.