Why choose us?

We are a not for profit CPD provider and so reinvest any surplus back into the vital work of the Law Society across all its activities, including Wellbeing, Professional Practice, supporting new lawyers, policy research and advocacy on behalf of you – our members.

Our commitments to you:

  • any surplus generated goes back into supporting the Law Society’s work
  • we will reduce our environmental impact by increasing online content and reducing paper materials
  • our events will be researched thoroughly to ensure their relevance and best possible learning outcomes
  • we will create meaningful CPD for our members in all areas of practice 

We add new innovations each year – all designed to help ensure that you have better access to as wide a range of learning materials and opportunities as possible. Please have a look at our new Learning Management System to see the quality and breadth of our online CPD.

Each year we run over a hundred events, involving the leading practitioners from the profession, the judiciary, academia and business leaders. Our events are peer-to-peer led and are designed to ensure that we create the right environment for fantastic conversations and sharing the latest developments. We run courses in every area of legal practice, developing technologies in the profession, essential skills and ‘next step’ courses designed to give you the tools and confidence to maximise your potential.

If you are still unsure about completing your CPD with us, then don’t just take our word for it – have a look at some testimonials from fellow members. We look forward to seeing you thereafter at one of our events.

You can contact the CPD team atCPD@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 476 8165

Your CPD Team

Jim joined the Law Society in June 2016, having previously worked in political publishing and conferences. He studied and taught Law as a post-grad at Keele University, having completed an earlier degree at University of St Andrews.

Jim is responsible for the overall strategy of the CPD and business development teams and additionally delivers some TCPD training and certificated courses. Please contact Jim if you’d like to discuss any aspect of the CPD team’s output or any business development opportunities.

Contact details: jimmckay@lawscot.org.uk | 07825418089

Dr Sara Zanovello holds a full degree in Law (University of Padua), and a PhD in Law and Classics awarded jointly by the University of Edinburgh and the University of Padua. After obtaining her degree, she completed her 2-year traineeship in a busy firm in Verona specialising in civil court work and litigation. She joined the Law Society team in January 2019. Sara works alongside our Head of Commercial Services in determining and implementing the overall CPD strategy. She leads on the design of the Law Society of Scotland’s Annual Conference and on the New Partners Practice Management course, and line manages our team of Legal Researchers.

Tessa is currently on maternity leave. Please direct any queries to Claire Hunter: clairehunter@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 476 8139

Tessa joined the Law Society in 2016 after several years working in venue management and has a BA in Festival and Event Management from Edinburgh Napier University. As manager of the CPD Operations team, Tessa leads on the delivery of a large portfolio of CPD events concurrently throughout the year with a particular focus on the Law Society's flagship conferences, including the annual conference. 

Contact details: tessalebouedec@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 476 8201

Rachel joined the Law Society in July 2021 and is responsible for our CPD Projects Team. As manager of the team, Rachel and the team are tasked with the development and delivery of a large portfolio of Certification Courses, Trainee CPD, Essential Career Skills Courses, and our free CPD Channel, Shaping Your Success. She holds a first-class honours from Edinburgh University in Social Policy and Politics.

Please feel free to get in touch with Rachel if you’re interested in working with us.

Contact details: rachelsteer@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 476 8111

CPD Business Development

Joining the Law Society in April 2022 as Business Development Manager, Jack manages relationships, opportunities and partnerships with our strategic partners and sponsors, working closely with the CPD and Research teams.

You might bump into Jack at a Law Society flagship conference, including the Annual Conference. Please feel free to say hello.

Contact details: jackrowberry@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 226 8898 

CPD Research Team

Robyn obtained her LLB from the University of Stirling in 2023. Robyn then worked for a year at a large commercial law firm in the early careers team before heading back to complete the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice from the University of Dundee in 2023. As part of the CPD Research team, she researches and writes agendas for black letter law conferences and seminars, covering a wide range of practice areas. Robyn engages with lawyers from across the profession to keep on top of important legal developments and source speakers for main programme CPD courses. 

Contact details: robyncoates@lawscot.org.uk

Ian completed his degree in Scots law in 2011 and has since worked for the City of Edinburgh Council before joining the Law Society in 2016 as a communications executive. As of November 2023, he is part of the CPD Research team and is responsible for researching and agenda-writing for black letter law conferences and seminars.

Contact details: ianforsyth@lawscot.org.uk

Charlie holds an LLB from the University of Glasgow and an MA in Political Theory from the University of Manchester. Since graduating, she has worked for the Scottish Law Commission and in private practice, before joining the Law Society in November 2023. Charlie is responsible for researching and curating agendas for webinars, seminars and conferences in a variety of areas of law, ensuring that the CPD that we provide is of a high quality and as up-to-date as possible.

Contact details: charliemackay@lawscot.org.uk

CPD Operations Team

Alex joined the CPD & Training team in November 2021, having previously worked in the Marketing and Communications teams. Alex works alongside Tessa Le Bouedec and Jess McClure to deliver our main programme CPD & Training Conferences, Seminars and live webinars. 

Contact details: alexandragraham@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 476 8137

Katie holds an MSC in Marketing with Sales Management from Edinburgh Napier University in 2017. She joined the CPD Operations team in January 2023 and is responsible for the administration and delivery of a diverse selection of CPD and training events, including conferences, seminars, and live webinars. Prior to her appointment at the Law Society, Katie honed her proficiency in coordinating international conferences, seminars and trade fairs, as well as executing event management tasks in her home country of Hong Kong.

Contact details: KatieWong@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 370 1982

CPD Projects Team

Amber joined the Law Society in September 2021. She contributes to the organisation of a number of our conferences throughout the year, and looks after Trainee CPD modules. She holds a PhD in Divinity from the University of Aberdeen, where she taught on a number of courses and helped organise a series of prestigious lectures.

Contact details: ambershadle@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 370 1970

Sarah joined the CPD Projects team at the Law Society in August of 2023. She holds a Degree of Higher Education from Edinburgh Napier, where she studied Digital Media. As Project Coordinator Sarah supports Rachel and Amber with the organisation and development of a range of the courses the Law Society offers. 

CPD Marketing

James joined us in March 2019 when he moved back to Scotland after several years working abroad. He'd been working in Malta doing marketing at an English language school before joining a digital agency. He achieved a first class honours in Communication, Advertising and PR from Edinburgh Napier University and won the CIPR Award for Academic Achievement.

James plans and manages the CPD marketing activities. You might occasionally see him at an event filming or taking photographs.

Contact details: JamesMeikle@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 476 8182