Arisha Asghar

Arisha Asghar, 20, from Glasgow, is the first member of her family to pursue a career in law.

The scholarship, in collaboration with charity Lawscot Foundation, was set up in 2018 to commemorate the late Kirk Murdoch, the widely respected lawyer and former chairman of Pinsent Masons in Scotland.

It supports talented students from less advantaged backgrounds in accessing a career in law, and includes a bursary, mentoring by senior Pinsent Masons lawyers, and a summer placement at the firm which employs more than 500 staff in Scotland.

The former Hyndland Secondary School pupil, said: “I have worked in hospitality since I was 16 and over the summer I took on a second job as I was trying to save up so I would not have to work as much during the university year.  The bursary will be a big help during third year and will make it easier to concentrate on my studies.”

Ms Asghar will take part in Pinsent Masons’ vacation schemes in 2027 and 2028 and has been assigned a mentor to support her during her degree. She is interested in corporate and commercial law and hopes the placements will give her an opportunity to explore different areas of legal practice, with the aim of securing a traineeship.

She added: “I understand how difficult it is to secure a vacation scheme, especially at a top UK law firm, so I am delighted to have this opportunity. One of the things that interests me about a full-service firm like Pinsent Masons is the chance to discover different types of law that I might not have considered before.”

Partner Barry McCaig, head of Pinsent Masons Glasgow office, said: “Kirk Murdoch was a hugely respected figurehead of our firm and it’s fitting that his legacy is maintained by supporting young law students as they take their first tentative steps toward a full-time career in law.”

Chair of the Lawscot Foundation, Kay McCorquodale, said: “Many congratulations to Arisha on receiving this year’s Kirk Murdoch Scholarship. Since it was launched eight years ago, the scholarship has a made a considerable difference to our students, offering invaluable insights into a career in law as well as financial aid and mentorship.

“We are very grateful to Pinsent Masons for their longstanding commitment to widening access to the profession and look forward to continuing supporting Arisha through her legal studies.”

Other recipients of the  Kirk Murdoch Scholarship have progressed to establish law careers, including Jo MacLeod who started her training contract at Pinsent Masons’ Edinburgh office in September 2026, and Emilia Gordon who is an associate lawyer in the firm’s pension team in London.