About Lawscot CPD

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 at: CPD@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.

Contact details: sarazanovello@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 476 8100

Rachel joined the Society in July 2021 and currently serves as the team's Project Manager. She and her team oversee our Certification Courses, Essential Career Skills portfolio, Trainee CPD, and Extended Rights of Audience training programs. Rachel leads the strategy, content development, and engagement for these courses, ensuring they meet the highest standards. She holds a first-class honours degree in Social Policy and Politics from Edinburgh University.

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

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 | +44 131 476 8202 

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

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 | 0131 476 8155

Louis holds an LLB in Scots Law and an MSc in Human Rights and Diplomacy. He is also expected to graduate with an LLM from the University of Glasgow in late 2024. He has previously worked as a paralegal in the private sector and has held various roles with the European Court of Human Rights, the International Court of Justice and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. Louis joined the Law Society in March 2024, where he helps to develop our CPD programmes through conducting research on a wide range of legal subjects.

Contact details: louisfairweather@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 476 8135

Jessica obtained her LLB from the University of Edinburgh in 2023 and an MA in Human Rights from UCL in 2024, through which she developed a passion for research. She joined the Law Society of Scotland in September 2024, where she contributes to the development of our CPD programmes on a vast range of legal topics.

Contact details: jessicamotley@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 287 3975

CPD Operations Team

Alex joined the CPD team in November 2021, having previously worked in the societies marketing team as a Marketing and Business Development Officer and our communications team as a Communications Executive. Alex is responsible for organising and delivering our main programme CPD & Training conferences, seminars and 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

Megan joined the CPD operations team in January 2024 to deliver our main programme CPD & Training Conferences, Seminars and live webinars. Prior to her appointment at the Law Society, Megan worked in Operations with a focus on coordinating national conferences and member events.

Contact details: megangraham-smith@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 476 8115

CPD Projects Team

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 organises and develops a range of the courses the Law Society offers. 

Contact details: sarahmcfarlane@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 476 8120

Joslyn joined the society in late 2024 as a CPD Projects Officer, playing a key role in generating and expanding CPD sessions. She has prior experience in creating workshops, project management, and driving diverse engagement opportunities. Passionate about continuous learning, she is always seeking new opportunities to expand her skills

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

Chris has been with the Law Society since March 2021. He holds a BA (Hons) from Robert Gordon University, where he studied Photographic and Electronic Media. Before joining the society, Chris ran a freelance video production company and worked as a marketing executive for a popular Scottish tourist attraction. Chris’ main responsibility is producing video content for the member services team, overseeing all aspects of production from planning to final edit.

Contact details: christomlinson@lawscot.org.uk | 0131 476 8360

Contact details: SuziWarren@lawscot.org.uk

Contact details: catmclaughlin@lawscot.org.uk

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