Case Studies
In this section, you can read case studies of people from a variety of different backgrounds who are studying law, or who have entered the Scottish solicitors' profession. Contact newlawyers@lawscot.org.uk if you would like to find out more, or speak to the people featured in the case studies.
1 – COMMERCIAL SOLICITOR
Choosing Law
I can still remember opening the UCAS letter that informed me of being given a place to study law at the university of my choice. Very few pupils from my high school went to the University of Glasgow and I was the only person who went to study law. It was like entering a new world as I did not know anyone who had studied law or had peers who knew people who had studied law.
Would I Fit In?
I remember clearly after starting law school, we would often ask each other where we lived and what high school we went to. I was often asked whether I went to a state school or a public school. Private schooling simply did not feature in my life before law school and so initially I found this a strange question. However, upon starting law school, I realised that Glasgow (and other cities) had many private schools and many law students were from private schools where often, the students knew each other before starting university. However, there was no snobbery and I met some fantastic people.
University was a new start for all of us, irrespective of background and we were all excited at this special stage in our lives.
The LLB
I thought that studying law meant studying endless rules and regulations. Instead, it was refreshingly diverse and I found some subjects that appealed to me and in which I went on to specialise. The study of law involves many different aspects of our society, from government to the tax regime. It may sound terribly diplomatic but to be honest, most of the subjects that I studied were interesting.
I was lucky to be able to study in America where I completed my third year (junior honours). The subjects were very different but there were common themes. I lived with the other undergraduates in halls and this was my first experience of living in halls. Let’s just say that the college capers you see in American films are quite true to life!
Life After the Law Degree
I did not enter law school with definite aspirations to become a solicitor. However, as I went through law school, I realised that the practice of law was as diverse and varied as the study of law and therefore legal practice would be worth pursuing. It is fair to say that the study of law is very different to the practice to law. I embarked on my legal career at an Edinburgh firm specialising in litigation. I enjoyed Court of Session litigation with all of its conventions and working with advocates as well as doing appearances in the Sheriff Court and being able to walk around the court wearing a gown. The more appearances you do, the more comfortable you become but court work is very unpredictable and you have to be able to deal with the unexpected.
Life as a Commercial Lawyer
After qualifying, I started practicing commercial law. The work I do as a commercial solicitor is incredibly varied from commercial contracts to construction law. I am working in-house for a commercial organisation and I love being able to combine a legal career within a commercial context. The commercial world does not stand still and some of the projects that I am working on are in innovative and emerging sectors. As an in-house commercial solicitor, the distinction between legal advice and providing commercial input is often blurred and it is professionally satisfying being able to provide legal advice linked to the commercial objectives of the business. Working for a large commercial organisation means that I am working with many different people on many different matters involving many different areas of law.
The Future
In terms of the future, I aspire to continue developing my technical knowledge and skills set. Being a commercial solicitor is not just about providing advice on the law, it is about providing commercial solutions and working with your colleagues, and I would love to continue with that and be involved in work that takes the organisation forward.
2 - DIPLOMA STUDENT, ACADEMIC SESSION 2008/2009
Who am I?
I am a law student from the very north of Scotland. This alone presents difficulties with a move to university but further to this I was born with a disease of the spine. The disease means that much of my school life was adversely affected by medical treatment and bulling as a result. My school life was not the happiest and I always felt like an underachiever but mainly due to the spinal condition. I left school to undertake further education but struggled with this also, although ultimately passing my course.
University?
It was only at age 30, and after 8 years in the same job, that I realised I was not were I wanted to be and felt a great longing to undertake something positive towards my future career. Having studied law as a subject at college I set an extremely high goal for myself, being a non-standard entrant, to attend university for an LLB. At school my English was a problem but I always knew the answer, only had an inability to write the answers. It was this that led me to being tested for dyslexia. So at 30 years old I was finally assessed and discovered I was dyslexic! What a relief to find out and having the opportunity for professional coaching sessions on how to learn. This enabled me to adopt strategies to learn in a new way.
The admission to university meant I had to sit an exam and also illustrate my abilities over life experiences, qualifications and work achievements. I had made my decision to go to university and no matter what hurdle was set for me I would jump it and ultimately get to where I wanted to be... I was, however, accepted and moved hundreds of miles to attend university as a mature student.
Was I ever going to fit in?
My first day was daunting and I wondered how I would fit in...
I had no need for concern as what followed was the most life enhancing experience ever!
The first year I stayed in student halls and boy could those guys party! The following year, until the end of my LLB, I stayed in a private flat with one of the girls I met in Halls and two others. The flat was across the road from the Uni which suited me as I have walking difficulties. I joined clubs and societies and became an active part of the university experience. I met so many amazing people and from all over the world. Due to my spinal problem it makes travel difficult so I now feel I’ve been all over the world without leaving Scotland!
The course itself was inclusive and the lecturers were great at answering any questions and also adopting an “open door” policy for students.
I made many friends and felt part of the university. In third year I was voted as president of the student law society and felt it was at last an opportunity to repay the university back for some of what it had given me. Our committee worked well together to organise events and social gatherings for our members.
The summers while studying were long and I utilised them to the best of my advantage. I find it hard to learn by reading so I attempted to find placements which would assist in my understanding of the law and also how it is made. I worked in all three parliaments over the summer months and also a private law firm and a corporate law firm.
My C.V. became a case of what to leave out and not what to put in!
I graduated in July 2008 with a first class honours and two awards from the university (one being the best performance by an honours student). My classmates shook my hand and hugged me in support. I felt so sad inside that all my friends who had given me so much over the four years could not all graduate with a first class honours but proud also that they thought so much of me to come and congratulate me and that I had made so many true friends.
Life after the LLB
I further attended the Diploma in Legal Practice and have a traineeship lined up with a top Scottish law firm. I have also just received my acceptance for a Phd and intend to undertake this while starting my traineeship. I anticipate this will take 5 or 6 years and will enable me to become a specialist in my field.
The purpose of this case study is not to tell you how great I am but to hopefully tell you how great YOU are! I have had many hurdles to jump and I am far from your everyday university student. I supported myself through university by working so I wasn’t financially dependant on anyone either. If you want something then you need to remain focused and think about what lies ahead and what you want from life. My life has been partly dictated to by being born with a spinal problem and dyslexia but that is nothing compared to some people. To dwell on something which inhibits you from doing something will only eat you up inside and from most negatives can be found something positive. (My life’s ambition has always been to be a mechanic but I can’t do any physical work, so what will I do instead?) Where do you want to be?
Aside from having a career, university provides so much more than that, but it is important to put in if you want to get out. The people I met at university gave me so much and I will never forget the experience and the amazing people I have met (both students and lecturers). I feel I have grown as a person and continue to do so. So what if I don’t get my Phd or end up a partner in a firm, I will probably die trying but along the way I’ve found myself and true happiness....
