Law Society International Committee unites legal experts from across the globe

The Law Society of Scotland’s International Committee has met for the first time, bringing members together from locations across the globe including Oman, France, the United States, Norway and the United Kingdom.

As the first ever Law Society Council Representative for Scottish solicitors outside of Great Britain, Brussels based Siobhan Kahmann, has taken up the reigns as Convener of the new Committee. From her base in the Unites States, Alexia Maas has stepped into Siobhan’s previous role on Council.

The Committee has been set up to oversee the development and implementation of the Society’s new international strategy, trade policy and engagement as they relate to the profession and legal sector.

The first meeting had a clear focus on bringing members up to speed with the Society’s current international work, issues ongoing since Brexit and opportunities to maximise engagement with international matters both within and outside of the UK.

Siobhan said, “As a Scottish solicitor working outside of the UK, I am acutely aware of the international issues facing the legal profession, but also the high regard in which the Scottish legal profession is held. The Committee has a special combination of opportunities and obligations, not least of all to help protect and uphold the rule of law in these challenging times. It is a real honour to lead the Law Society’s International Committee and I look forward to working with this exceptional group of legal experts from across the globe.”

In the coming years, the Committee is keen to begin work on a new international strategy for the Law Society which will look at new ways to engage with Society members overseas.

The new Committee members all expressed their enthusiasm for further engagement with members in their regions and they look forward to harnessing the knowledge and experience of international members to support future Scottish solicitors who develop overseas careers. The committee also plans to produce new policies and procedures to guide how the Law Society reacts to international events.