Tell us about working at Morton Fraser.
I remember my first day clearly - 18th February 2013. I was immediately struck by the culture and how refreshing it was for a law firm to be warm, welcoming, friendly and fun - but also focused, and not afraid of change or challenge. Everyone spoke to one another in the lift - and this was in the Edinburgh office! Wow - what must the Glasgow office be like then, I wondered?! Yes, we all work hard - but we never lose sight that it's important to have fun, and to look after one another, along the way. Fast forward to December 2022 when we held our Alumni Drinks event. I was struck by the collective fondness for the firm in the room. Many guests said that, no matter how many years had elapsed since they had left, and how significantly Morton Fraser had grown, the culture felt exactly the same. Over the years, in many conversations with clients, they too have spoken about the distinctive Morton Fraser culture.
What type of work do you get involved in?
I work with colleagues across the firm, in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, on key clients, tenders and legal pricing. I'm also involved in our ESG activities and initiatives. I manage a number of our client relationships, with a focus on the public sector. I celebrated another 10 year anniversary recently - of tutoring on the Diploma at the University of Edinburgh. Some of my former students are now my colleagues. I'd enjoy that more if it didn't make me feel so old!
I feel incredibly fortunate to work with such a variety of clients and colleagues and get involved in so many different areas.
How has your role changed during your time at the firm?
One of the many excellent things about working at Morton Fraser is that change and new ideas are embraced. My role has changed to reflect the different ways in which clients need legal services to be delivered. Over the years we have been appointed to new frameworks, panels and contracts and my role now involves a greater degree of working with our clients, not only on the delivery of legal services, but also on matters which are rightly increasing in importance and attracting more robust scrutiny. I'm thinking here of initiatives involving diversity, inclusion and equality, added value, and innovation.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone looking to progress in your field?
Law can be much more flexible than you might imagine. There is latitude to change your role, whether that's moving from the public to the private sector, from in-house to a firm, or to a different area entirely. Have confidence to scope your own role.
