Dundee student receives Kirk Murdoch Scholarship

A second year law student at the University of Dundee has been named as the second recipient of the Kirk Murdoch Scholarship, a distinction that could lead to a traineeship with Pinsent Masons.

Emilia Gordon, 19,  will receive financial support, professional mentoring, and a place on Pinsent Masons’ summer vacation programme. On graduating she will have the opportunity of a training contract with the law firm.

The scholarship was launched in 2018 in memory of Kirk Murdoch, one of Scotland’s most respected lawyers and at the time of his death Chair of Scotland and Northern Ireland for Pinsent Masons.

Ms Gordon, from Aberdeenshire, is one of several students supported by The Lawscot Foundation, a charity established by the Law Society of Scotland to help talented students from less advantaged backgrounds access a career in law.

She believes being awarded the scholarship could make a significant contribution to fulfilling her ambition of qualifying as a lawyer. “This will have a huge impact, not just financially, but in securing a work placement, which is extremely competitive. It is an amazing opportunity to work with one of the country’s largest legal firms and I am determined to live up to Kirk Murdoch’s legacy.”

Pinsent Masons’ current Chair of Scotland and Northern Ireland, Katharine Hardie, said: “Throughout his career Kirk championed many young lawyers in reaching their potential. His view was that hard work and determination will help you to succeed, but he also recognised that it was incumbent on those of us who had ‘made it’ in our chosen profession to help those starting their careers.

“Today’s graduates are tomorrow’s lawyers and law firm leaders. Legal firms should do all that they can to ensure that emerging talent and those now entering the profession are not disproportionally affected in the aftermath of Covid-19. Our support of the Kirk Murdoch Scholarship is just one way that we continue to support young lawyers in Scotland and it is a fitting tribute to a man who was a mentor to many.”