Susan Murray confirmed as President-elect for 2024/25

NHS in-house solicitor Susan Murray has been named as the Law Society of Scotland’s President-elect for 2024/25.

Ms Murray will assume the role of Vice President in May 2023, when Sheila Webster succeeds Murray Etherington as President, before taking on the presidency herself in May 2024.

The new President-elect was confirmed by the Law Society’s Council. Pat Thom, who was also nominated for the role, will continue to contribute to the Society through her membership of the Council and as convener of its Civil Legal Aid Committee.

Ms Murray is a senior litigation solicitor with the NHS Central Legal Office, and holds a Law Society of Scotland specialist accreditation in Medical Negligence. She is the first in-house solicitor to be named President-elect for a decade, at a time when in-house solicitors now make up more than a quarter of the profession.

The new President-elect has been a Law Society Council member for the Edinburgh constituency since 2017, sits on the Society’s Board and is convener of its Equality and Diversity Committee.

Current Law Society of Scotland President Murray Etherington said: “It’s a great pleasure to confirm that Susan Murray is the Law Society’s 2024/25 President elect. She will make an excellent President when her term begins in 2024.

“Susan has already made a valuable contribution to the Law Society, including five years serving members as Council member for the Edinburgh constituency, and also on the Society’s Board.

“I know Susan’s experience as convener of the Society’s Equality and Diversity Committee will prove useful as we continue working towards a more diverse profession. Susan will also provide leadership on other important issues, such as regulatory reform and addressing the ongoing legal aid crisis.”

“I’d also like to thank Pat Thom for standing for the role. It’s a testament to the quality and strength of our organisation that we had two such excellent candidates."

President-elect Susan Murray said: “It’s a great honour to be taking up the role of President-elect, and I’m committed to making the most of this opportunity to represent and work for our solicitor profession so it can thrive and best serve the people, businesses and communities of Scotland.

“Sheila Webster has set a great example as Vice President and I’m looking forward to working alongside Sheila when she takes on the presidency next year.

“I’m also looking forward to bringing my perspective as an in-house solicitor, and continuing the Law Society’s excellent work over many years championing equality and diversity. As the professional body for Scottish solicitors, we need to show support and leadership for the profession and continue to provide robust and effective regulation.

“My five years on the Law Society Council and my time on the Society’s Board has given me a broad understanding of the issues facing the profession, including the crisis in legal aid. The Society’s recently released new five-year strategy gives a good road map of the priorities for the journey ahead.”