I joined Gillespie Macandrew as a trainee in September 2019 having spent the previous 18 months travelling and working abroad post completion of my DPLP at Aberdeen University. Although full-time professional work came as a bit of a shock to the system, I managed to settle in and below I have shared some thoughts of my journey into law so far and how Gillespie Macandrew has supported me on the way.
My traineeship gave me valuable experience across Dispute Resolution, Residential Property and Land and Rural Business. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the firm adapted the usual seat structure, and I spent an extended period in Residential Property. This worked well in practice, giving me the opportunity to build deeper expertise in one area while still benefiting from a broad and supportive training experience across the firm. In all my seats, the firm’s positive and collaborative culture allowed me to learn from colleagues who were generous with their time (and patience!). Being included in client discussions from the start and seeing how experienced lawyers approached complex or sensitive issues gave me the understanding of the standard of work expected. Alongside structured training and development, the traineeship provided a solid foundation upon which I could get my bearings and begin to grow my confidence, commercial awareness and legal knowledge.
In 2021 I qualified into the Land and Rural Business team. Moving from trainee to NQ did not come without challenge but, having spent the previous six months in the team, I had the opportunity to experience first-hand the high-quality work that stems from the firm’s sector-focused approach. I have been able to build experience around the people, businesses and assets that shape Scotland’s rural economy. My progression has also been shaped by the help and support I have received throughout my time at the firm. Informal learning through conversations with experienced colleagues, feedback on drafting and working together. This has allowed me to deepen my legal and sector specific knowledge while also developing the broader skills needed as my role has evolved. In 2026, I was promoted to Associate, marking an important milestone in my career with Gillespie Macandrew. Becoming an associate is not simply about handling more complex work; it also means supporting junior colleagues, strengthening client relationships and contributing to the continued development of the team.
Most recently, I was grateful to be named a finalist in the Rising Star category at the Scottish Legal Awards, recognition that reflects not only my own development but also the support, opportunities and encouragement I have received throughout my time at Gillespie Macandrew. I am very pleased to have been able to contribute to the firm’s continued success and to feel supported by the firm at every stage of my journey.
Find out more about our legal traineeships at https://gillespiemacandrew.co.uk/careers/traineeships/ or email our HR team at traineerecruitment@gillespiemacandrew.co.uk
