Catherine Smith, the story of an Edinburgh lawyer

It is believed that men have more chances to build a successful career in the law sphere, as they have a colder and more analytical mind. However, gender stereotypes have become obsolete in the modern world. Therefore, talking about gender preferences in the professional area is something outdated and irrelevant. 

Many women have proven their talent and abilities in the law sphere. Catherine Anne Smith is one of them. Learn more at edinburghski.

Family and early years

Catherine was born in Edinburgh on May 4, 1973. She is the youngest of three daughters in the family. Interestingly, her parents were also connected to law. Thus, her father was an MP for North Lanarkshire and headed the Labour Party. Her mother was made a life peer and appointed to the House of Lords as Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill.

Catherine received her school education at Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh. Later, she became a student at the University of Glasgow, where she studied history and law.

First steps in a career

Of course, after graduating from university, people seek to apply their knowledge in practice. After all, it is so interesting to try your hand at a new profession. Smith was no exception. Her first step was the position of a legal assistant. Having gained valuable experience, the girl realised that she was ready to develop and move up the career ladder.

Thus, she became a solicitor in 1999. Catherine was quite successful in this sphere, helping numerous clients find the right solution to their legal problems.

In 2007, Smith was called to the bar as a member of the Faculty of Advocates and in 2021, she took up the position of Queen’s Counsel.

Since 2022, Catherine has also sat as a sheriff. She was mainly involved in the consideration of the cases related to compensation for damages, clinical negligence and personal injury.

In addition, her energy and enormous professional potential allowed Smith to become a member of the Edinburgh law firm Compass Chambers.

Further development and new positions

In general, Catherine’s career development was very beneficial for her. After all, it allowed her to gain valuable experience and knowledge in various areas of law and, of course, to delve into the consideration of different cases.

An equally important stage for Catherine Smith was her participation in the founding of Justice Scotland. It is a branch of a London-based non-governmental organisation whose main goal is to promote legal reform and human rights. In addition, Catherine held the position of vice president in the organization from 2012 to 2022.

It is also fair to highlight Catherine’s work in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, her tenure as a Standing Junior Counsel to the Advocate General as well as her membership in the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

One of the top 3 Scottish lawyers

Catherine Smith has conquered new professional heights step by step. It seemed that she surpassed herself in August 2024. Then Catherine was appointed Advocate General for Scotland. Every ambitious Scottish lawyer can only dream of this position! It is not only about occupying a high social role but also the responsible duty of advising the British government on legislative issues.

Interestingly, at the time when Smith was appointed Advocate General for Scotland, Solicitor General for Scotland was Ruth Charteris and Lord Advocate was Dorothy Bain. It means that all three positions of Scottish law officers were occupied by women.

Peerage as the key to important meetings

October 2024 marked a new stage in Catherine’s career. Then, the woman became a life peer, which allowed her to participate in the meetings of the House of Lords. It meant that Smith received a new opportunity to demonstrate her enormous professional potential and participate in interesting events. Moreover, it is difficult to disagree that it is another step towards self-improvement.

Thus, Catherine Anne Smith is one of the brightest representatives of the Edinburgh legal community. Her multifaceted talent proves that the law sphere is not an all-male territory, and women can achieve colossal results there too. The gender factor has long exhausted itself. After all, analytical abilities, a sharp mind and theoretical knowledge don’t depend on sex. Women demonstrate their high professional potential and, of course, create personal success stories.