The interview: Lucy Scott-Montcrieff

Lucy Scott-Moncrieff is the president of the Law Society of England and Wales, the independent professional body established for solicitors in 1825 that works globally to support and represent its members, promoting the highest professional standards and the rule of law.

What does your Twitter bio say?
"I tweet via the Law Society's main Twitter account. According to our bio, the Law Society represents solicitors in England and Wales."

Why law and why your particular area of expertise?
"I took my articles in conveyancing and probate at the Temple, but ended up working as a motorcycle messenger (and living in a squat!) after I qualified. I've been practising since 1978, in mental health and human rights law, which I fell into by chance."

Please tell us more about the position of President of the Law Society.
"I became President of the Law Society last July. I'd been involved in a variety of Law Society boards and committees and sat on Council since 2002. I'll step down in July, when Vice President Nick Fluck takes the helm."

What do you enjoy most about your job?
"The variety. Meeting with so many different people, engaging with so many different issues to do with the needs and aspirations of the profession."

In these tough economic times - what is the most challenging element of your job?
"Many firms are severely impacted not only by the tough economic conditions but also by legal services liberalisation, changes to legal aid funding and the civil costs regime. To promote and support our members who face such adversity is a challenge I take very seriously. The profession is used to adapting, but with changes to legal aid, to civil litigation and much lower volumes of housing transactions than in recent years, many firms are under severe pressure."

Who's in your 'network'?
"I'd like to think most people in the legal profession, from trainee lawyers to the Lord Chief Justice."

In your view - what does the future hold for the legal profession, what will be the 'next big thing' in the legal industry?
"One of the most interesting things in the legal services market is 'unbundling'. This means that clients take on some of the tasks a lawyer would traditionally have been responsible for in order to bring down costs. Another linked development is the rise of online legal services. I've also been pleasantly surprised by how many comparatively small law firms are involved in international business - this is a real growth area as English and Welsh legal jurisdiction is a great selling point to overseas businesses."

What are the challenges for the profession in the next twelve months?
"Overcoming the adverse impact of cuts to legal aid funding, ensuring personal injury victims get what they are due, and working to secure access to justice for everyone."

Who's been the biggest single influence or inspiration in your career and why?
"Lady Hale, the first and so far only female Justice of the Supreme Court. She is a shining example of achieving at the highest level through quietly getting on with it."

What advice would you give to an ambitious Solicitor at the start of their career?
"Do your own thing. Don't get stuck working in an area or in a firm you don't enjoy. Try out different things and find the right path for you. You can even set up your own business - you know you'll always have a boss who understands you!"

Please tell us a little bit about Lucy Scott-Montcrieff.
"I went to St Mary's School in Wiltshire and later attended the University of Kent. I'm the first person in my family to qualify in law. I've always been into motorcycles and once rode a Honda 400 from London to Tuscany."

Final question...if there was a General Election tomorrow, who would you vote for?
"For justice!"