Conference looks at needs of future solicitors

Society event a key part of forming its new lawyer engagement strategy

News, 14 June 2007

Over 50 stakeholders with different interests in the Scottish legal profession have attended the Law Society of Scotland’s conference, "Engaging Tomorrow’s Lawyers Today".

The event, held last Saturday (9 June), was the first of its kind and is an essential step in the development of the Society’s "New Lawyers Engagement Strategy", to be launched in October this year.

Delegates included law students, trainee and newly qualified solicitors, academics from the LLB and diploma providers, HR and other representatives of training firms, the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman, and the Society’s In-house Lawyers Group.

Attendees discussed the scope of the Society’s engagement with students, trainees and newly qualified solicitors, and heard presentations from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, and from trainees and young solicitors in England and Wales on their experiences during a period of transition. Cuthbert Recruitment described what the current generation of newly qualified solicitors are looking for from their careers.

Collette Paterson, new lawyers’ co-ordinator at the Law Society of Scotland, said: "It takes a significant amount of effort and dedication to become a solicitor and through our New Lawyers Engagement Strategy we aim to reflect that by providing support even before a person starts university, with our responsibility to that person lasting through all the critical points en route to qualification and during the early stages of their career.

“Many challenging and innovative views emerged from the day’s discussions, which will have impact how we further develop the strategy.

“A report from the day will be published on our website and we have a number of initiatives planned. These include adding new information to our website, podcasts for new lawyers and a newsletter, much of which will be delivered in collaboration with the Scottish Young Lawyers Association."