Shine On: The rising stars that now lead the law

This year’s Rising Star contenders have a hard act to follow with a list of former winners which shows that not only were the firms right in identifying talent but also that the decisions of the judging panel are worth commending.

In 2003, the Scottish Legal Awards was presented to a litigator at Brodies who was commended for her work in the public sector. Now, 12 years later you’ll find Christine O’Neill is the Chair of the same firm and is a passionate advocate of promoting young talent.

She commented: “More junior lawyers don’t always recognise the value of their contribution or the esteem in which they are held by their colleagues. Acknowledging their talent and potential is incredibly motivating for the individuals who are nominated and for colleagues around them.”

Recalling the evening’s celebrations, O’Neill commented: “I remember being very surprised to have won and very touched to have the support of my colleagues at Brodies who nominated me for the award. I have kept the trophy on my windowsill ever since. I had some nice feedback from clients but certainly no celebrity treatment back at the office.”

Bruce Caldow of Harper Macleod LLP was the recipient of the Rising Star Award at the 2006 Scottish Legal Awards. At the time he was a solicitor in the firm’s employment practice – now he is a Partner and Head of the firm’s Employment Department.

His career success since then has mirrored that of Harper Macleod itself, which has doubled in size since Caldow won the award almost 10 years ago, and he also led his colleagues to the Employment Team of the Year title at the 2012 Awards.

Bruce also leads the firm’s sports law practice, advising many of the country’s sportspeople, clubs and sports governing bodies on regulatory, disciplinary and governance matters. Most recently, he was in high profile action at the Rugby World Cup in his role as the Scottish national team lawyer, appearing before the Appeal Committee to free Ross Ford and Jonny Gray from an earlier suspension, allowing them to play in the Quarter Final.

Reflecting on his Rising Star Award win, he said: “I should tell you that on the night I was very pleased to win it (which evidently I was), we had won a number of awards around that time and it was good to contribute another to the HM trophy cabinet…(which it was!) but in reality my overwhelming memory of the night is that the music that accompanied my walk to the stage was extremely loud …!

“The award was received very well internally and by clients, albeit the messages were mixed - from not resting on one’s laurels, to clients commending both me for developing my specialist practice and to the firm for putting me forward.

“To anyone considering entering, I’d simply say you’ve got to be in it to win it and that only good can come from being recognised by an independent panel as worthy of the shortlist, far less winning it. Celebrate being shortlisted and if you win, that’s a bonus.”

This view is supported with the wise words of Christine O’Neill who offers this advice to firms compiling their entries for the 2016 Scott + Co Scottish Legal Awards, “Put your best foot forward, enjoy the experience and keep your ego under control if you win…”

The 14th annual Scott + Co Scottish Legal Awards takes place on Thursday 24 March 2016 at the Edinburgh Assembly Rooms. Entrants have until 26 November 2015 to make their submissions and guidance on the entry process is available by contacting Pippa@kdmedia.co.uk or by calling 0131 337 6322. For criteria and guidelines visit www.thelegalawards.com

The Categories

Kirsten Speirs

KDMEDIA LTD

0131 337 6232 / 07810434204