Douglas Mill: Remember the lawyers

Let me explain.

There has quite simply never been a better opportunity for young solicitors to seize demographic deficit in high street practices. Baby boom solicitors are now playing post-recession catch up and looking to ensure succession – both internal and external.

And what are they finding? A younger generation of solicitors reluctant to leave the cities and big firms and to grasp the exceptional opportunities now available. Chances to be in parts of Scotland which offer great quality of lifestyle and work. To serve clients and communities. Not to be treated as cannon-fodder when the next recession comes around.

Yes, it was crazy in the ’80s when we all became partners as soon as the ink was dry on the Entrance Certificate.

Yes, supply and demand and the recession have pointed up that practice is no longer (quite properly) zero risk.

Yes, getting into-and out of partnership needs consideration and good advice, but if more youngsters don’t go for it, we’ll all be working for Richard Branson in 10 years.

When solicitors face issues, civic Scotland gloats. When it happens to GP surgeries, suddenly town and rural access becomes a hot topic.

High street firms weathered the recession and the condescension heaped on them and have come back stronger than ever.

True, they still need to fix their management skills, undergo a process of rationalisation and merger and bring in young blood, but they are there-over 900 of them – the majority of which have a bright future.

And why?

Because we are trusted – rightly – and most other places for the public to turn have lost that.

It’s not just PLCs who need solicitors. People do too.