Patricia Taylor

The Executive Committee also comprises:

• Vice president – Amina Amin, IPTC solicitor at MacRoberts LLP;
• Secretary – Brianella Scott, assistant solicitor to the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry;
• Treasurer – Heather Gibson, trainee solicitor, BTO LLP.

The Non-Executive Committee comprises:

• Sophie Campbell, litigation & arbitration associate, CMS;
• Giorgio Ventisei, solicitor & procurator fiscal depute;
• Amanjit Uppal, future trainee solicitor.

Its new members are:

• Caitlin Bell, senior solicitor, Gilson Gray LLP;
• Katie Wright, trainee solicitor, Jardine Phillips;
• Thomas McGovern, trainee solicitor, McGovern Reid;
• Latasha Kirimbai, trainee solicitor, Thorntons Law LLP.

Ms Taylor, who is a commercial litigation associate at DLA Piper, said: “I joined the Scottish Young Lawyers’ Association as a member when I was studying for my third year of the LLB. At that time, I had no personal connections to the legal world (I am a first-generation law student/university attendee), and I was searching for a traineeship. In becoming a SYLA member, I was looking for some support, and a way to tap into the resources of the legal sphere that seemed so far removed from me at the time.

“Four years later, having benefitted from SYLA’s great work and connections throughout my final years of university, I decided I wanted to give back and stand to become a member of the Non-Executive Committee. I was in my first year of my training contract, and having entered the profession, I recognised that it was one full of opportunity and generosity, but that the opportunities did not yet extend to everyone, and in an equitable way. I wanted to take steps to change that and believed that joining the SYLA Committee would allow me to contribute to making our profession more inclusive, and reflective of the society in which we work. I was absolutely right!

“In terms of next steps, I am looking forward to finalising plans for the SYLA Mentoring HUB, strengthening our focus on mental health and wellbeing, and ensuring that we are servicing members far and wide (including in more rural areas) and those of up to 10 years’ PQE. Further objectives for this year include: hosting intra-professional networking events, reinvigorating our online presence, increasing engagement with our podcast and continuing to advocate for diversity and inclusion.”

She added: “Our thanks must also be extended to our outgoing president, Laila Kennedy, and the 2022-2023 committee. Laila served on the SYLA committee for the last six years and has assisted in taking it from strength to strength. We thank Laila for her lasting and tireless contribution.”