Team profile — meet Edinburgh commercial litigation solicitor Laila Kennedy

While she’s an avid traveller, this time solicitor Laila Kennedy — who’s discovered a keen interest in DIY — stayed closer to home and went to a traditional building festival instead to learn techniques for preserving older buildings.

We caught up with Laila, who’s recently rejoined our firm in Edinburgh, to find out more, including what she enjoys about her litigation role.

Welcome back! What do you enjoy about being back at Ledingham Chalmers?

It really is a special place with a community feel.

I was an intern, legal executive and trainee with the firm, and I’ve always found it a really friendly place to work. I started in Aberdeen and now work in Edinburgh where we’ve had our Christmas social organised for some time.

We celebrate everyone’s birthday in the office. Sometimes, if the weather plays ball, we have an ice cream or an after-work drink on the balcony overlooking the castle.

There’s also a good emphasis here on work life balance and mental health — in fact, I’m due to take part in mental health first aid training soon.

What kind of work do you do?

In Edinburgh, we specialise in public sector and insurance litigation and handle cross-Scotland Court of Session and sheriff court cases. Working with clients including insurers and local authorities, we have expertise in fraudulent claims, catastrophic and fatal claims as well as liability cases, judicial reviews and subrogation.

What interests me particularly is seeing a matter through from start to finish as well as the court experience — and that includes liaising with counsel in Court of Session cases. I’m gaining more advocacy experience too by taking part in court rotations every month, which can mean 10 court appearances in one morning!

There’s no doubt my skills development has accelerated since I rejoined the firm, not least because I’ve been given lots of responsibility. I’m able to press on with matters and work closely with — and seek support from — colleagues where I need to.

Tell us about your involvement with SYLA

I have been part of the Scottish Young Lawyers' Association (SYLA) committee since 2017 — including acting as president in 2022/23 and treasurer — and have thoroughly enjoyed representing members as a student, trainee, and solicitor.

I joined SYLA to reach, and support, as many members across Scotland as possible.

Highlights have included the Women in Law seminar with Lady Hale and our  continuing professional development for trainees (TCPD) authorisation, which we obtained during my time as president. As well as that, you meet others within the legal profession who later become your friends and your colleagues!

My SYLA roles have been something of an eye-opener at times — and I’ve been exposed to new skills and challenges, including obtaining sponsorship, people management and securing speakers for events. I was also involved in the Law Society of Scotland’s panel for the first year trainee roadshow alongside the society’s president and deputy president.

I also thoroughly enjoy taking part in panels at events, including the recent Look Up and Beyond in October. This new organisation focuses on supporting female legal talent and this event covered topics such as business development, leadership, networking and client management.

Why litigation?

I had an internship with the litigation team, specifically focused on insolvency and debt recovery, at Ledingham Chalmers, but my interest in the discipline goes back much further than that.

My mum has worked in debt recovery for a local authority for decades, so it’s an area of law I’ve been exposed to for some time.

I also worked with a sheriff officers firm, which provided debt recovery, enforcement and citation services. This meant I saw how judgments and law are enforced from the “other side”.

I also get a buzz from working to deadlines and carrying out research into niche points of law — this can be challenging and rewarding in equal measure. Another challenge is working hard to achieve the best outcome for clients and, wherever possible, helping preserve a constructive relationship between all parties.

What do you do outside of work?

Aside from decorating my new flat in Edinburgh — which is where the keen interest in DIY I mentioned previously comes in — during lockdown I started playing the saxophone and piano again, both of which had been on hold for a few years.

My piano is still in Aberdeen, but I have carried on playing the saxophone.

As my boyfriend and I are foodies, I also enjoy finding new gluten-free spots to eat (given I am coeliac) and share these with others.

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