The School of Law was delighted to welcome The Honourable Lady Rae for an inspiring guest talk this week, held in the Arts Lecture Theatre and attended by a large number of Law students from across all years.
Lady Rae joined the event live online, delivering a captivating 30-minute address that explored her distinguished career — from leading the crime division of a Glasgow law firm at just twenty-seven, to becoming the first female working Rector in the University of Glasgow’s 572-year history (Lady Rae was the second female rector). She reflected on her progression through the legal profession, the challenges she faced along the way, and some of her most notable cases both as an advocate and as a judge.
Her passion for the law and her commitment to justice were evident throughout. Lady Rae offered words of encouragement that resonated strongly with the audience, reminding students that “all can succeed despite adversity” and advising that “if you face hurdles, learn to jump higher.”
Following her talk, students took part in a lively Q&A session. The volume of thoughtful and incisive questions meant there was not enough time to answer them all — a testament to the engagement and curiosity of those in attendance.
Reflecting on the event, Lady Rae said:
“I so enjoyed speaking to your students. Their questions were challenging, pertinent and incisive. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to them.”
The Law School would like to thank Lady Rae for sharing her experiences and insights, and for inspiring the next generation of legal professionals.
