​​SEMLA's mission is to facilitate a diverse and inclusive legal profession in Scotland. SEMLA aims to provide support and create career opportunities for ethnic minority lawyers and law students in Scotland.  

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Since its launch in 2017, SEMLA has pursued its mission by working with the Law Society of Scotland, the Faculty of Advocates and some of the largest law firms and in-house legal teams in Scotland and the United Kingdom, all with the aim of increasing access into and progression within the legal profession for all talented lawyers and law students - regardless of background. 

 

​There have been positive changes in the representation of ethnic minority lawyers in the legal profession in Scotland in recent years. Now, more than 10% of solicitors aged 30 and under are from an ethnic minority background, up more than 3% in two years. However, challenges remain, including comparatively fewer lawyers from ethnic minority backgrounds reaching senior position in the profession. If you would like to work with SEMLA in its mission, please get in touch using the details on the Contact page.