Lawyer - Stetson University College of Law

Destination: Scotland
18 s t e t s o n Lawyer
Professor Peter Fitzgerald spearheaded a trip for six students
to gain an unprecedented experience within the Scottish and
British legal systems during Spring Break in March.
Students met with leaders in law, government, the academy
and the highest courts during the week-long course. Speakers
included Baron Hope of Craighead, a senior member of the
Judicial Committee of the British House of Lords; Lord Eassie, a
Senator of the Scottish College of Justice and judge of the Court
of Session and High Court of Justiciary; Solicitor General Frank
Mulholland; as well as Vice Dean Iain Armstrong Q.C. and
several other members of the Faculty of Advocates, a professional
organization comparable to the English Inns of Court.
Alexander McCall Smith, University of Edinburgh Law Professor
Emeritus and internationally renowned author of the
No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book series, held a private reception
for the students in his home. “The highlight was meeting
all of the important people,” said student James S. Jenkins III.
“Having the opportunity to meet Lord Hope and Alexander Mc-
Call Smith was the U.S. equivalent of having lunch with Justice
Roberts and dinner with John Grisham.”
Attorneys and officials with the Scottish government,
Parliament, the Society of Her Majesty’s Writers to the Signet,
Audit Scotland, and the Maclay, Murray and Spens law firm also
spoke with the class.
In addition to meeting with Scottish leaders, the students
were each individually assigned to legal organizations for a day
of practical experience observing the Scottish legal system at
work. The students worked with the Edinburgh Citizen’s Advice
Bureau Court Advisor Service; the Equality and Human Rights
Commission; Maclay, Murray and Spens; the Multi-Cultural
Family Base and the Scottish Legal Aid Board.
“Everything about the trip was incredible. Being able to meet
and learn from so many influential people really was a once-in-alifetime
opportunity,” said student Kelly Ann McLaughlin.
Part-time student Cindy McGirk also enjoyed the experience.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to visit the courts and
other legal institutions, but the highlight for me was attending
the reception that author and professor Alexander McCall Smith
held for us in his home. I must admit to being a little star-struck.”