Alumnus, Waqqas Ashraf wins Trainee Solicitor of the Year 2013 award
Tue 5 November 2013
The Law Awards of Scotland is an annual ceremony which recognises the contributions and achievements of the legal profession across Scotland. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the awards and a black tie dinner was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on 12th September for all nominees and guests.
Mr Ashraf graduated from the LLB in 2011. After graduating from the Diploma in Professional Legal Studies at Glasgow, he gained a Traineeship with one of Scotland's best Criminal Defence firms, McCusker McElroy & Gallanagh. Now in his fifteenth month of the Traineeship, he has recently started to appear in Court and is appearing in many Sheriff Courts across the country.
On winning the award Mr Ashraf said:
"All those years of studying in the beautiful Old College and the hardwork throughout my University career feels like it's finally paying off.
It's been a fantastic roller coaster ride since I finished my LLB at Edinburgh University. I was lucky enough to get a Traineeship with one of Scotlands best Criminal Defence firms, McCusker McElroy & Gallanagh. It was an unbelievable moment winning an award at the Law Awards of Scotland. For years I have seen my mentors and friends, John Scott QC, Aamer Anwar and John Paul McElory being nominated and winning these awards, so to win one so early on in my career was brilliant. However, there is no doubt that winning the award was due to the joint efforts of many. My firm have been incredible in the support they have offered and other members of the profession who along with me protested against the introduction of legal aid contributions in our own "Protest For Justice" movement last winter."