Welcoming our 2026 Summer Interns to our Edinburgh Hub 

Building on the success of our inaugural internship programme last year, we have welcomed our 2026 Summer interns to our Edinburgh hub following an exceptional volume of applications.

We hosted three interns over the course of the Summer, with each spending a week with the Edinburgh team gaining first-hand experience of life as a trainee at a growing national law firm.

The interns were involved in a wide variety of tasks across the firm’s practice areas, gaining hands-on exposure to client work, legal processes and the day-to-day operations of a legal practice.

They also had the opportunity to observe court proceedings and attend client calls, gaining a practical insight into the work of the firm’s teams.

Fiona Pask, head of the Edinburgh office at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We’re delighted to have continued our internship programme this summer, welcoming another group of interns to our Edinburgh office. The quality of applicants this year was outstanding, and it’s been wonderful to build on the success of our inaugural interns last year.

“Providing aspiring solicitors with meaningful, hands-on experience is an important part of our commitment to developing future legal talent. Our existing team have done a fantastic job of providing a warm welcome and great insight into our culture, helping the interns get involved in the work of our teams, ask questions and make the most of every opportunity during their time with us.

“It has been a pleasure to have them in the office and we hope the experience helped inform their next step towards their future careers in law.”

Among this year’s interns were Maria Imray and Sarah Love, who both spoke about the practical experience they gained during their placements.

Maria, who is entering her final year of a law LLB at the University of Aberdeen, said: “Having read about the 2025 interns, I was interested in applying after seeing how much they had enjoyed their experience. I was drawn to Shakespeare Martineau as a growing firm, and it seemed like an exciting time to join as an aspiring solicitor and gain commercial experience.

“My internship gave me a much more practical understanding of what trainees do across the practice areas offered by the Edinburgh team. I developed my drafting skills and understanding of court procedure, and gained experience of witnessing client interactions that will help me in future practice settings. One of the highlights was attending Dumbarton Sheriff Court to observe proceedings, which gave me a valuable insight into the litigation process.

“Everyone in the office was incredibly welcoming, approachable and supportive, and I felt able to ask questions of both trainees and partners. The experience has reinforced my ambition to study the diploma and secure a traineeship, and I look forward to staying in touch with the team.”

Sarah, who is entering her penultimate year studying Scots law at Glasgow Caledonian University, added: “Before starting the internship, I had very little knowledge of litigation. By the end of the week, I had developed an understanding of the litigation process, particularly in relation to simple procedure and ordinary cause actions. I gained hands-on experience completing court forms, reviewing cases and working alongside trainees to consider the next steps in matters.

“I also had the opportunity to work with the commercial property team, join client calls and observe a hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court. One of my favourite tasks was researching and writing an article on the Private Residential Tenancy (Scotland) Act 2016.

“Everyone made me feel incredibly welcome from the moment I arrived, and I was trusted with meaningful work from my first day. I’m leaving the internship with a much stronger understanding of civil litigation, commercial property and the day-to-day responsibilities of working in a law firm. The experience has made me even more enthusiastic about the possibility of returning in the future, hopefully as a trainee solicitor.”

The internship initiative is part of our commitment to developing the next generation of legal professionals, with a strong focus on inclusion, mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities.

Our Scotland presence continues to grow, with our Edinburgh hub providing legal services across a range of practice areas, including litigation and dispute resolution, commercial property and private client work.

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not intended to address the circumstances of any individual or entity, nor should it be relied upon as a substitute for specific advice from a qualified solicitor. The information reflects the legal position as at the date specified and may be subject to change. If you require advice on a specific matter, please contact us directly.