New Law Society President set for challenges ahead

Scottish Borders solicitor, Pat Thom brings a wealth of legal experience and a unique international perspective as she takes up the reins as President of the Law Society of Scotland.

Pat, who succeeded Susan Murray as the Law Society President today, Friday, 30 May, began her legal career in her native Canada as a solicitor and barrister before requalifying as a Scottish solicitor. She went on to practise in both the public and private sectors and as a sole practitioner. While Pat’s expertise spans a diverse range of practice areas, she specialised in civil court practice, with an emphasis on family law and adults with incapacity.

She joined the Law Society of Scotland Council in 2015 and became Convener of the Society’s Civil Legal Aid Committee in 2020 and the Child and Family Law Committee in 2023.

Pat said: “It is a great honour and responsibility to take up the role of President of the Law Society of Scotland, advocating on behalf of my Scottish solicitor colleagues across the country and further afield and in the public interest. I am looking forward to rolling my sleeves up and tackling the challenges ahead.

“The passing of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill marks the culmination of a decade’s worth of campaigning by the Law Society and its network of volunteers, but the work has only begun. There is a long road ahead to ensure that the legislation delivers the changes we have campaigned for; more robust consumer protections and a well-regulated and thriving Scottish legal sector.

“I am committed to ensuring that the ongoing discussions on Legal Aid lead to much needed action, investment and change.  It is imperative that Legal Aid is a viable option for Scottish solicitors and that the most vulnerable members of our society have fair and equal access to justice.”

Pat, the eighth women to become President of the Society, will be supported by new Vice President, Serena Sutherland, the first solicitor based in Scotland’s Northern Isles to join the ranks of the Law Society’s Office Bearers.

Serena said: “As the only Legal Aid solicitor on Orkney, I share Pat’s depth of feeling about the state of the current Legal Aid system in Scotland.  I look forward to supporting Pat as we tackle head on the issues which matter most to our members and the clients they serve.”

Serena currently sits on the Law Society of Scotland Board, Finance Sub-Committee, Legal aid Sub-Committee and Complaints and Oversight Sub-Committee.