Jane Merson

• Career Conversations
• Jane Merson

Where are you from?

I am from Aberdeen and lived in Milltimber as a child.

Where you did study/what’s your career background?

I studied at Cults Academy and then at RGU.  Initially I wanted to pursue a career as a criminal lawyer so my first degree was actually Forensic Science with Law. I then went on to complete my law degree and diploma, so I was at university for seven years!

Why did you apply to RCCW?

My mum had worked for the firm for a number of years, so I was very familiar with the RCCW ethos and particularly enjoyed its focus on work life balance and regular communication with staff.  It feels like being part of a family where people genuinely support each other.  Although I started my career at RCCW, I did work at another local law firm for a few years to spread my wings, but returned after the pandemic.  This was because in my opinion RCCW gives you the best of both worlds. It is small enough that everyone knows your name and who you are, but yet its big enough that it has all the procedures and structures in place to make the firm run well, allowing the solicitors to do the job they trained to do.

 What department(s) do/have you worked across?

 The year I finished my diploma, firms weren’t taking on trainees because of the oil crunch, but there was a position in the leasing department at RCCW which I took.  I then applied for a traineeship and worked in residential conveyancing across the Stonehaven and Union Street branches.  Post qualification I continued to work in residential conveyancing and worked at the Inverurie branch and Albyn Place.  I left the firm and continued my career in residential property returning in October 2022 to work as an Associate Solicitor in the Banchory branch.

How would you describe a typical day/your experience at RCCW to date?

No two days are the same. I really enjoy meeting people and helping them buy or sell their home as easily and quickly as possible.  I particularly enjoy that I am involved in the transaction right the way from when the property goes on the market until the transaction is complete.  I think being a point of continuity in what can be a stressful period really helps clients. I also consider myself to be extremely lucky to be working in the beautiful Deeside area surrounded by such lovely views and access to nature.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to pursue a career within a law firm?

It is hard work, but very rewarding. Being a people person can be a great advantage, but in saying that there is a role to suit every type of person. Some disciplines are well suited to individuals that are more studious and enjoy working through a process, whereas other roles can be more client facing and problem solving based, where you have to think on your feet and adapt to the situation. You just need to find the area of law and the position that is best suited to your skill set.

What do you like most about working at RCCW?

The ethos, they are a progressive firm, but with traditional values of providing a good customer service for a reasonable fee. The management are approachable. They have a good structure in place for IT and HR. Within the property department there is a good support system, so there is always someone that you can run an idea past or go to for advice. There is a team feeling where figures and targets are looked at as a department/branch, which suits my character as a team player. It is a real family feeling firm, where everyone is welcoming and listens to each other’s opinions.