Seven new members for Law Society Council

Seven new members are to join the Law Society of Scotland’s Council this month.

New lawyers Lucy Drummie and Megan Young won the vote to represent their peers on the Society’s governing Council, while Alexia Maas was elected to represent solicitors practising outwith the UK. 

Alexia takes over the role from Siobhan Kahmann who, after eight years on Council, will take up a new ex-officio seat as convener of the recently created International Committee. 

The four seats have doubled the number of Council members representing early career solicitors and those working overseas.

In uncontested elections, Patrick Bell joins Council to represent solicitors in the Highlands and Islands, which covers Dingwall, Dornoch, Elgin, Inverness, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Lochmaddy, Portree, Stornoway, Tain and Wick, taking over from current Vice President Serena Sutherland. In addition, Mark Lutton takes up the Airdrie, Hamilton, and Lanark constituency seat.

Three co-opted Council seats have also been confirmed. Gordon Martin joins Council as the representative for solicitor advocates and Fraser Gibson will represent Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service solicitors. Andrew Hinstridge has been reconfirmed for the co-opted banking and finance seat.

All new Council members began their three-year terms on 1 November and are invited to join their first Council meeting on 21 November.

Patricia Thom, President of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “Thank you to everyone who chose to stand for Council. It sits at the heart of all we do, making key decisions on how the Society evolves to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse membership. It is fantastic to see the interest members have in getting involved in that work, in particular from so many solicitors in the early stages of their careers and among our membership working outwith the UK.
 
“Congratulations to all of our successful candidates and I look forward to working with you over the coming three years.
 
“I also offer my thanks to Siobhan Kahmann for all her work to ensure that our overseas members have had a voice on Council over the past eight years. I am delighted to see her take up a new role as convener of our new International Committee where she will continue to drive our policy work with the committee and with Alexia as our new Council member.

“Huge thanks must also go to Jim Keegan KC and Stephen McGowan, who are retiring from Council after extensive periods of service: Jim with a total of 17 years on Council and Stephen with eight years. Thank you for all your hard work, insight and commitment to the Society and the solicitors you stood for.”