2018 In-house Rising Star Award finalists
Three newly qualified members of the Scottish legal in-house community have been shortlisted as finalists of the 2018 Law Society of Scotland In-house Rising Star Award.
The finalists are:
- Victoria Davidson,Royal Bank of Scotland
- Sarah Haig, Glasgow City Council.
- Oksana Orlova-Farrelly, JFD Limited
Graeme McWilliams, Convener of the In-house Lawyers Committee (ILC), said: “The In-house Rising Star Award is a reflection of the Law Society’s broader efforts and commitment to ensuring that the in-house community receives the support and recognition it deserves.”
“The quality of candidates nominated for the award is always impressive and this year again showcases the fantastic pool of up-and-coming talent in the in-house sector.
“The 2018 shortlist comprises three great candidates whose achievements so early in their careers are phenomenal and their contributions to the community and the profession outside of their working day are admirable. All three of the candidates would be worthy of this year’s award and I don’t envy the judges their decision.”
My role at RBS is hugely rewarding. I work on a range of challenging legal issues in a great environment alongside colleagues who have helped me to grow and develop as a lawyer. To be nominated and shortlisted for the Law Society of Scotland’s In-house Rising Star award is a real honour given the talent across the industry and it is testament to the people I work with each day.
I’m thrilled to have been nominated by my colleagues and shortlisted for the Law Society of Scotland’s In-house Rising Star Award. Working as an in-house solicitor for Scotland’s largest local authority has given me fantastic opportunities to experience an exciting and diverse range of legal work.
I am honoured to be shortlisted for the In-house Rising Star Award from amongst the many talented candidates nominated this year, in what was no doubt a very competitive process. I am really looking forward to the event and wish the other finalists the best of luck.
More about the candidates
Victoria Davidson, Royal Bank of Scotland
"Through her legal abilities, her work ethic and her people skills, she has established close relationships with client businesses spanning the full spectrum of the bank’s franchises and she manages a heavy workload with unfailing good humour. Her maturity and influencing skills belie her PQE and she engages with stakeholders at all levels with warmth and confidence.
Victoria, proactively seeks opportunities to leave her comfort zone and to learn new skills. Her focus is not solely on personal growth, but rather on deepening the value she can bring to her clients.”
Sarah Haig, Glasgow City Council
"Sarah has acquired a very high level of knowledge in the field of information law in a relatively short space of time and has spent the past 12 months learning, understanding and applying the new GDPR and the Data Protection Bill. Sarah was part of a small legal team nominated and shortlisted for a SOLAR Legal Team of the Year Award as a result of her work in this area.
Sarah's communication skills are excellent. Clients frequently return to her for advice, showing their level of satisfaction with her work and manner. Sarah is confident and competent in her decision making skills and takes responsibility for her actions."
Oksana Orlova-Farrelly, JFD Limited
“Oksana has consistently performed to a high level under pressure and supported the business during a very challenging time. She assisted the Business Operations Director with the restructuring process, effectively splitting the Legal and Commercial department into two distinct departments, and successfully recruited, developed and integrated into the business a new legal team to meet the ever-changing needs of the JFD group of companies.
Oksana has quickly adjusted to the demands of a senior management positon within the organisation and has formed a highly effective team in a short space of time, building effective working relationships with key colleagues and senior management across the organisation and is able to influence their decision making.”
The award will be presented at a drinks reception following the in-house conference on 18 June 2018 in Glasgow. The judges in this year’s award are Thembe McInnes, Head of Legal at Whyte and Mackay and member of the Law Society’s In-house Lawyers Committee; Legal Services Manager, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, previous winner of the Rising Star Award and member the Law Society's In-house Lawyers Committee Vlad Valiente; and the Law Society’s Olivia Parker, acting Head of Engagement for In-house Lawyers.
The award was launched in 2013 to celebrate the talent of the in-house legal community, which represents almost 30% of Scotland’s legal profession.
Do you know an in-house rising star?
The Rising Star Award celebrates and rewards the brilliance of trainees and NQs with up to five years' PQE who are shining in their early careers in-house. Nominate a colleague or contact today.
Working in-house
In-house lawyers make a critical contribution to the success of the companies and organisations that employ them. If you work in-house, we want to hear from you.
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