Skip to content
Law Society of Scotland
Search
Find a Solicitor
Contact us
About us
Sign in
Search
Find a Solicitor
Contact us
About us
Sign in
  • For members

    • For members

    • CPD & Training

    • Membership and fees

    • Rules and guidance

    • Regulation and compliance

    • Journal

    • Business support

    • Career growth

    • Member benefits

    • Professional support

    • Lawscot Wellbeing

    • Lawscot Sustainability

  • News and events

    • News and events

    • Law Society news

    • Blogs & opinions

    • CPD & Training

    • Events

  • Qualifying and education

    • Qualifying and education

    • Qualifying as a Scottish solicitor

    • Career support and advice

    • Our work with schools

    • Lawscot Foundation

    • Funding your education

    • Social mobility

  • Research and policy

    • Research and policy

    • Research

    • Influencing the law and policy

    • Equality and diversity

    • Our international work

    • Legal Services Review

    • Meet the Policy team

  • For the public

    • For the public

    • What solicitors can do for you

    • Making a complaint

    • Client protection

    • Find a Solicitor

    • Frequently asked questions

    • Your Scottish solicitor

  • About us

    • About us

    • Contact us

    • Who we are

    • Our strategy, reports and plans

    • Help and advice

    • Our standards

    • Work with us

    • Our logo and branding

    • Equality and diversity

  1. Home
  2. For members
  3. Journal Archive
  4. Issues
  5. November 2015
  6. Profile

Profile

This month's profile features Patricia Thom, elected in May 2015 as one of two Council members for Haddington, Peebles, Jedburgh, Duns and Selkirk
16th November 2015

What made you pursue a career as a solicitor?

The old romantic notion of wanting to fight for the underdog.

Why did you decide to stand for Council?

A curiosity as to what all goes on and a desire to get involved.

Have your perceptions of the Society changed since you joined Council?

It’s still early days but I probably now have a better appreciation of how wide-ranging the issues that are dealt with by the Society. I haven’t quite come to grips with what my work is as a Council member, but I have been very impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm shown by the staff and my fellow members.

What have been the highlights for you personally? 

Meeting my fellow Council members.

What are the main issues that you think the Council has to address at the moment?

I do think that the Council needs to ensure that it continues to provide support to its members as individuals. Work related stress is on the rise and that is a real concern.

What are you most looking forward to as part of the Society’s new strategy? 

While I endorse the aspiration to be world class and to provide an excellent service, I am heartened that the strategy also includes as one of its main goals, the need to support its members.

What’s your top tip for new lawyers?

Recognise your limits and learn to say no.

If you could change only one thing for your members what would it be?

A better transport system.

What keeps you busy outside work?  

Family, horseriding and reading.
 

 

Share this article
Add To Favorites
https://lawware.co.uk/

In this issue

  • Appropriate adults and defence agents: who does what?
  • Buying from a housing association: why consent matters
  • Harassment: a civil claim?
  • A welcome abroad: EYBA in London
  • Reading for pleasure
  • Opinion: David Faith
  • Book reviews
  • Profile
  • President's column
  • ScotLIS gets the green light
  • People on the move
  • Storm over Safe Harbor
  • Light on a murky world
  • Southern horizons
  • Mediation minefield
  • Migrants: no way to turn?
  • The technological edge
  • As our suppliers see us
  • More rules to grapple with
  • Fraud and divorce – a Scottish Sharland?
  • What future for employment tribunal fees?
  • Heading for a showdown on hard won human rights?
  • Taxing question of relief
  • Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal
  • How far can we rely on the register?
  • All part of the game
  • Law reform roundup
  • From the Brussels office
  • Poverty: a new front in the war
  • Damage limitation: working it out
  • Ask Ash
  • A lawyer's lament
  • Appreciation: Michael Scanlan

Recent Issues

Dec 2023
Nov 2023
Oct 2023
Sept 2023
Search the archive

Additional

Law Society of Scotland
Atria One, 144 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EX
If you’re looking for a solicitor, visit FindaSolicitor.scot
T: +44(0) 131 226 7411
E: lawscot@lawscot.org.uk
About us
  • Contact us
  • Who we are
  • Strategy reports plans
  • Help and advice
  • Our standards
  • Work with us
Useful links
  • Find a Solicitor
  • Sign in
  • CPD & Training
  • Rules and guidance
  • Website terms and conditions
Law Society of Scotland | © 2025
Made by Gecko Agency Limited