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  1. Home
  2. For members
  3. CPD & Training
  4. Annual Conference 2025
  5. Programme

Annual Conference 2025 Programme Check here regularly for the latest updates to the programme

The conference will take place from Monday 6 through to Thursday 9 October. The first three days are afternoon sessions hosted entirely online, while for Thursday’s full day programme you’ll have the option to join online or attend in person at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

As sessions are confirmed we'll publish the details here first so please check regularly for updates.

Day 1

View programme about Day 1

Day 2

View programme about Day 2

Day 3

View programme about Day 3

Day 4

View programme about Day 4

Day 1: Monday 6 October

12pm - 2pm | 2 hours CPD | Online only

12:00 - 12:05 Welcome and Introduction to Day 1
David Lee
Conference Chair
David Lee
Director, David Lee Media & Events
12:05 - 13:05 Panel: AI in Your Practice
Plenary

In this session our speakers from both private practice and in-house will share their experience of utilising AI in their daily work, and reflect on how this has impacted them both positively and negatively. Practical tools will be discussed, as well as the benefits and risks associated with the integration of AI in legal practice.

David Lee
Panel Host
David Lee
Director, David Lee Media & Events
Philip Hall
Panelist
Philip Hall
Managing Legal Counsel, Outsourcing, Technology and IP, NatWest
Steven Hill
Panelist
Steven Hill
Managing Director and Accredited Legal Technologist, Denovo
Ross Kilshaw
Panelist
Ross Kilshaw
Managing Partner, Cullen Kilshaw
Helena Siebenrock
Panelist
Helena Siebenrock
Trainee Solicitor, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
5 Speakers
13:00 - 13:10 Comfort Break and Transition to Breakout Rooms

13:10 - 14:00 Breakout Sessions

Ethics and Sustainability
Breakout 1: Ethics
Paul Gostelow
Panel Host
Paul Gostelow
Convenor, Law Society of Scotland Sustainability Committee
Catherine Gee
Panelist
Catherine Gee
Head of ESG Operations, DWF LLP
2 Speakers
Not Another Diversity Talk: How Cultural Intelligence Can Create a Brave Workplace
Breakout 2: general practice
Lindsay Jack
Panel Host
Lindsay Jack
Head of Diversity, Careers and Outreach, Law Society of Scotland
Tatora Mukushi
Panelist
Tatora Mukushi
Legislation Lead, The Scottish Government
Sheriff Alan  Sinclair
Panelist
Sheriff Alan Sinclair
Sheriff, Peterhead Sheriff Court
3 Speakers
In-House - 4 Jurisdictions Panel
Breakout 3: in-house
Ciarán Fegan
Panelist
Ciarán Fegan
Chair, In-House Lawyers Group, Northern Ireland
Amanda Gill
Panelist
Amanda Gill
Chair, In-House Committee, The Law Society of England and Wales
Róisín Magee
Panelist
Róisín Magee
Advisory Counsel , Office of the Attorney General, Ireland
Anne E Stewart
Panelist
Anne E Stewart
Head of Legal and Corporate Governance, Scottish Social Services Council
4 Speakers

Day 2: Tuesday 7 October

12pm - 2pm | 2 hours CPD | Online only

12:00 - 12:05 Welcome and Introduction to Day 2
David Lee
Conference Chair
David Lee
Director, David Lee Media & Events
12:05 - 13:00 Panel: Spotlight on - The Intergenerational Gap
Plenary

In this session, our speakers will focus on differing generational attitudes on key and evolving areas for the legal profession, including: work-life balance, career progression, technology and AI, organisational values, sustainability and more. We will analyse data associated with changing demographics within the profession, and reflect on issues of talent attraction and retention across firms and organisations of all sizes.

David Lee
Chair
David Lee
Director, David Lee Media & Events
Lindsay Jack
Speaker
Lindsay Jack
Head of Diversity, Careers and Outreach, Law Society of Scotland
Sarah Lonie
Speaker
Sarah Lonie
Director, Anderson Strathern
Jamila Archibald
Speaker
Jamila Archibald
Senior Counsel, Trip.com
4 Speakers
13:00 - 13:10 Comfort Break and Transition to Breakout Rooms

13:10 - 14:00 Breakout Sessions

Ethics Decision- Making
Breakout 1: ethics
Rachel Wood
Chair
Rachel Wood
Executive Director of Regulation, Law Society of Scotland
Alan Shanks
Alan Shanks
Head of Scotland, Partner, Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Julie Herriott
Speaker
Julie Herriott
Deputy General Counsel (Risk & Regulatory), Pinsent Masons
3 Speakers
In Conversation with the Scottish Law Commission
Breakout 2: general practice
Jennifer Paton
Chair
Jennifer Paton
Head of Policy, Law Society of Scotland
Graham McGlashan
Speaker
Graham McGlashan
Solicitor, Scottish Law Commission
The Right Hon Lady Ann Paton
The Right Hon Lady Ann Paton
Chair, Scottish Law Commission
Rachel Rayner
Speaker
Rachel Rayner
Chief Executive, Scottish Law Commission
4 Speakers
The Horizon Scandal: Lessons in In-house Ethics
Breakout 3: in-house
Richard  Moorhead
Speaker
Richard Moorhead
Professor of Law and Professional Ethics, University of Exeter

Day 3: Wednesday 8 October

12pm - 2pm | 2 hours CPD | Online only

12:00 - 12:05 Welcome and Introduction to Day 3
Joshua King
Joshua King
Editor, Journal, Law Society of Scotland
12:05 - 13:00 Panel: Getting Ready for the Next 10 Years
Plenary

In this session, our speakers will focus on the future of the legal profession, to identify the current and upcoming changes that you and your organisation need to be aware of to prepare for the next 10 years. We will reflect on recent developments that are driving change including innovation, how shifting client expectations are shaping firms’ values, mental health and wellbeing and much more.

Joshua King
Panel Host
Joshua King
Editor, Journal, Law Society of Scotland
Rob Aberdein
Rob Aberdein
Group Managing Director, Simpson & Marwick
Amanda Carpenter
Amanda Carpenter
CEO, Achill Legal
Jonathan Watmough
Jonathan Watmough
Founder and Owner, HelpingLawyersTHRIVE
4 Speakers
13:00 - 13:10 Comfort Break and Transition to Breakout Rooms

13:10 - 14:00 Breakout Sessions

Ethics – Acting in the public interest
Breakout 1
Professor Stephen Mayson
Professor Stephen Mayson
Honorary Professor, UCL Faculty of Laws
Legal Aid: Assessing the Future of Access to Justice
Breakout 2
Hew Edgar
Panel Host
Hew Edgar
Policy Manager, Law Society of Scotland
Ian  Moir
Ian Moir
Partner at Moir and Sweeney Litigation, & Co-convenor of the Legal Aid Committee
Peter Walsh
Peter Walsh
Associate Solicitor, Jas Campbell & Co, & Co-convener of the Legal Aid Committee, Law Society of Scotland
Patricia Thom
Patricia Thom
President, Law Society of Scotland
4 Speakers
Legal Professional Privilege
Breakout 3
Louis Fairweather
Panel Host
Louis Fairweather
CPD Legal Researcher, Law Society of Scotland
Sophie Campbell
Sophie Campbell
Associate , CMS
2 Speakers

Day 4: Thursday 9 October

9am - 4.35pm | 5 hours CPD | Online or In-person

Day 4 will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and also streamed live to online attendees.

09:00 - 09:30 Registration, Exhibition and Networking

In-person delegates can join gentle yoga sessions in the Exhibition room:
09:10 - 09:20 - Let go of the travel stress, calm your mind and get ready to focus

09:30 - 09:35 Welcome and Introduction to Day 4
Rona Dougall
Conference Chair
Rona Dougall
Broadcast Journalist and Presenter, STV
09:35 - 09:40 Opening remarks from Law Society of Scotland CEO
Plenary
Ben Kemp
Ben Kemp
Chief Executive, Law Society of Scotland
09:40 - 10:15 Shaping a Successful Future for your Business
Keynote Address

Why ethical responsibility and public interest are the key to sustained profitability.

Guy Beringer CBE, KC
Keynote Speaker
Guy Beringer CBE, KC
Chair, British and Irish Legal Information Institute
Rachel Wood
Host
Rachel Wood
Executive Director of Regulation, Law Society of Scotland
2 Speakers
10:15 - 10:55 Wellbeing, Mental Health and Sustainability of the Profession
Panel discussion
Trish McLellan
Panelist
Trish McLellan
Director of Engagement, LawCare
Steven McCann
Panelist
Steven McCann
Director, MCG Consulting
Antoinette Moriarty
Panelist
Antoinette Moriarty
Head of Psychological Services, Law Society of Ireland & member of the IBA
Ravinder Panesar
Panel Host
Ravinder Panesar
Wellbeing and Engagement Manager, Law Society of Scotland
4 Speakers
10:55 - 11:05 Elevator Pitch
Plenary
11:05 - 11:30 Comfort Break, Networking and Exhibition

In-person delegates can join gentle yoga sessions in the Exhibition room:
11:10 - 11:20 - Stretch your body, reset your mind

11:30 - 12:05 Breakout Rooms: Regulatory Update

Solicitors as Professional Enablers
Breakout 1: Lammermuir 1 room
Regulation of Legal Services Update
Breakout 2: Lennox room
Rachel Wood
Rachel Wood
Executive Director of Regulation, Law Society of Scotland
David Gordon
David Gordon
Regulatory Committee Convener, Law Society of Scotland
2 Speakers
Financial Compliance and Account Rules
Breakout 3: Lammermuir 2 room
Sharon Brownlee
Sharon Brownlee
Financial Compliance Manager, Law Society of Scotland
Chris O'Day
Host
Chris O'Day
CEO, Cashroom
2 Speakers
12:05 - 12:15 Transition to Plenary
12:15 - 13:00 The Rule of Law
Panel discussion

The panel discussion will focus on the current threats to the rule of law, with a focus on how recent international developments may be impacting the legal profession – locally and globally. Our panellists will reflect on areas such as trades, EDI policies, freedom of speech, independence of the profession.

Michelle Behnke
Panelist
Michelle Behnke
President, American Bar Association
Steven M. Richman
Panelist
Steven M. Richman
Member, Clark Hill & Chair, Bar Issues Commission, International Bar Association
Tom Mullen
Panelist
Tom Mullen
Professor of Law, University of Glasgow
Jennifer Paton
Panel Host
Jennifer Paton
Head of Policy, Law Society of Scotland
4 Speakers
13:00 - 13:55 Lunch, Networking and Exhibition

In-person delegates can join gentle yoga sessions in the Exhibition room:
13:10 - 13:25 - Get your body moving before lunch
13:30 - 13:45 - Rest and digest. Gentle movement of the body to boost digestion and ease you into the afternoon

13:55 - 14:05 Welcome to Afternoon Sessions, Energiser Activity
Plenary
Rona Dougall
Conference Chair
Rona Dougall
Broadcast Journalist and Presenter, STV
14:05 - 14:30 Cyberthreats in the Legal Sector
Plenary

This session will explore the evolving cyber threat landscape facing UK law firms and legal organisations. Mitigo, the Law Society of Scotland’s strategic cyber risk partner, will discuss the risks firms are facing and offer practical guidance to strengthen cyber resilience and governance.

Please note: This session will be held under the Chatham House Rule. Attendees are free to use the information discussed, but the identity or affiliation of any speaker or participant may not be revealed.

Karl McAree
Karl McAree
Head of Technical Development , Mitigo Cyber Security
Rona Dougall
Host
Rona Dougall
Broadcast Journalist and Presenter, STV
2 Speakers
14:30 - 14:50 LawY Live: Scotland’s AI Legal Research Assistant in Action
Plenary

Meet LawY from Denovo - the only AI trained in Scots law. Ask your own legal questions, get instant answers with citations, and see how every response can be verified by seasoned Scottish solicitors. Smart, fast, and trusted. AI meets human expertise.

Steven Hill
Steven Hill
Managing Director and Accredited Legal Technologist, Denovo
Rona Dougall
Host
Rona Dougall
Broadcast Journalist and Presenter, STV
2 Speakers
14:50 - 15:10 Comfort Break, Networking and Exhibition

In-person delegates can join Hot Yoga in the Exhibition room:
14:55 - 15:05 - Stretch your body, reset your mind

15:10 - 15:45 Breakout Rooms

Show and Tell: Five real world ways lawyers can use AI
Breakout 4: lennox room
Storytelling: Why it's more important than ever for your business
Breakout 5: lammermuir 1 room
Do you trust me? Going from advisor to trusted advisor
Breakout 6: lammermuir 2 room
Nadine Stanton
Nadine Stanton
Chief Executive, Professional Training
15:45 - 15:55 Transition to Plenary
15:55 - 16:25 Keynote Address
Closing Keynote
16:25 - 16:30 Law Society of Scotland President
Plenary
Patricia Thom
Patricia Thom
President, Law Society of Scotland
16:30 - 16:35 Close of Conference
Plenary
Rona Dougall
Conference Chair
Rona Dougall
Broadcast Journalist and Presenter, STV
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