Society thank-you for STARTS support

For many years the profession has asked the Society for opportunities to get involved in the route to qualification. This chimes with what the Society hears from students – what they want is the opportunity to meet those at the coalface. Last year the Society organised professional practice talks at each of the LLB providers. These brought solicitors and first-year law students together to discuss what practising law is really like – a warts and all view.

Sessions covered everything from why the solicitors became solicitors, through to the proper use of social media. There was also a section where the solicitors and law students considered ethical teasers designed to highlight the difficulties of practice.

The solicitors who have taken part so far are:

University of Strathclyde: Nick Taylor, HBJ Gateley; Rory McPherson, Thompsons; Andrew Todd, Springfield Properties.

University of Aberdeen: Dean Purdie, DJP Solicitors; Andrew Shanks, Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service; Bobby McDonald, Stronachs.

University of Glasgow: Alan Eccles, Brodies; Craig Connal QC, Pinsent Masons; Catherine Hart, Digby Brown.

University of Dundee: Jamie Kerr, Thorntons; Roger Mennie, Dundee City Council.

University of Dundee, and Abertay University: Sue Arrowsmith Rodger, Pagan Osborne; Martin Campbell, Scottish Social Services Council.

Abertay University: Professor Stewart Brymer, Brymer Legal.

Edinburgh Napier University: Robbie Burnett, BCKM; John Logue, Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service; David Bryson, Baillie Gifford; Caroline Colliston, DWF.

Robert Gordon University: Gavin Cooper, Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace; Erin Johnston, Kellas Partnership.

University of Edinburgh: Anne Kentish, Clyde & Co; Donald Wright, Property Wright; Calum MacLean, Lockton.