Law Society of Scotland pays tribute to Ethel Houston OBE

The Law Society of Scotland has paid tribute to Ethel Houston OBE, one of the first women to become a partner of a Scottish law firm, who died last week aged 93.

Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “I had the privilege of meeting Ethel when she was awarded honorary membership of the Law Society in 2009. She was highly engaging and it was a real pleasure to meet one of our most long-standing members.

“Ethel had a fascinating life and was a pioneer in many ways. She had a highly distinguished service during World War 2 and was posted to Bletchley Park, where the Enigma code-breaking work took place. She was the first woman to be made senior partner of a Scottish law firm in 1949 while at Balfour and Manson, which at that point had four partners and 17 staff, and was one of the first two women, alongside Margaret Hall, to join our Council in 1975 until 1981, paving the way for many of those who have followed in her footsteps since.

“Ethel was well known and respected within the profession and will be much missed. We offer our sincere condolences to her family and friends.”