Why should the Scottish legal profession care about stress? ​

 

Last year's Profile of the Profession survey showed that nearly two out of three Scottish legal professionals have experienced mental health issues in the past five years. ​The survey also revealed that trainees and women under the age of 35 are most likely to be affected.

 

Many respondents identified negative impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic and the shift to remote and hybrid working. Among those surveyed, 36% said forming and maintaining close relationships with colleagues was easier pre-Covid, while 40% reported training trainees was better previously.

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All this makes for dim reading. But on a positive note, there is information and resources available for us all to raise awareness of and help find solution to recognise and combat work related stress and what better place to start than attending this free, online event? 

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With leading experts and mental health advocates we will be discussing: 

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• How to recognise the symptoms of stress 

• How to combat stress 

• What can employers do to improve well being in the workplace

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Speakers include: 

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Sarah Gilzean: Partner at Morton Fraser MacRoberts 

Niamh Warnock: Engagement and Relationship manager at LawCare

Olivia Moore: Careers and Wellbeing manager at Law Society of Scotland

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More about the speakers/organisations: 

 

Sarah Gilzean - Sarah is highly regarded in the sector as a discrimination lawyer and is Convener of the Law Society Equalities Law Reform Committee and a member of the Scottish Discrimination Law Association.

Sarah is also an accredited specialist in employment law and has particular expertise in equal pay and industrial relations. Sarah acts for a wide range of clients in the public and private sectors. Sarah also has particular expertise in the education sector and regularly advises independent schools in relation to accessibility, discrimination matters and parental complaints. She gives practical, easy to understand advice and is focused on achieving her clients' objectives at all times.

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She regularly advises clients in relation to senior exits, TUPE and redundancy, disciplinary and grievance, contractual disputes, whistleblowing, discrimination, equal pay and industrial relations. She appears on behalf of clients in the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal and is regularly asked to speak at conferences and training seminars on employment law and discrimination topics.

Sarah is ranked by Chambers for Employment Law and as a notable practitioner in Education. She is also named as a Next Generation Partner by Legal 500. 

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Niamh Warnock (LawCare) - Niamh Warnock is LawCare’s Engagement and Relationship Manager; she joined LawCare in 2022 after practising as a solicitor from 2010.  Niamh initially took on the role of Support and Volunteer Coordinator with LawCare managing their team of volunteers and working on LawCare’s various support channels. 
 
Niamh now works in the Engagement Team building and developing stakeholder relationships, raising awareness of LawCare’s services and delivering training.  Niamh also assists the LawCare Support Services Team with the delivery of direct support channels to LawCare contacts and manages LawCare’s Champions programme.

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Olivia Moore - Olivia has worked at the Law Society of Scotland for eight years, latterly leading on the organisation’s wellbeing work. Lawscot Wellbeing is dedicated to supporting the Scottish legal profession with resources, insights, and practical tools to navigate the unique challenges of the profession which impact our mental health. Olivia has particular experience working with those at the earlier stages of their careers and takes a particular interest in how meaningful culture change can be achieved to ensure people can enjoy their working lives.