Ms Thom’s career has spanned criminal and civil legal work in both Canada and Scotland and she has worked in-house and in private practice for several years. She has been a Law Society Council member since 2015, representing solicitors in Haddington, Peebles, Jedburgh, Duns and Selkirk.

She is currently convener of the Law Society’s Civil Legal Aid Committee and its Children and Family Law Committee. She sits on the Society’s Civil Justice Committee and is a former member of its Admissions Committee.

Law Society president Sheila Webster said: “I am very pleased to congratulate Pat on her nomination. She is a hugely experienced solicitor and has a deep understanding of the issues facing the legal profession and the needs of people who rely on the advice and services provided by solicitors.

“Pat has played a central role in our legal aid work in recent years, articulating just how necessary Legal Aid is to access to justice and highlighting how fragile the current system is. As a longstanding Council member, in addition to her committee roles, she has had an instrumental role in shaping the work of the Society and how we move forwards as an organisation.

“Significant changes are on the horizon in relation to the current proposals for reforming regulation of the profession and for Scotland’s criminal justice system. Pat will be a strong voice for solicitors and the Society in its commitment to driving positive change which benefits the public and the legal profession.”

The nomination for the Law Society of Scotland president-elect 2025/26 will be confirmed on 15 December. Once confirmed, Ms Thom will take up the role of vice president in May 2024, becoming president in 2025.

Current vice president, Susan Murray will become president in May 2024 and current president, Sheila Webster, will move into the role of immediate past president.