Future star and ‘proud’ Edinburgh student wins inaugural £1,000 essay prize and chance at traineeship

An international student at the University of Edinburgh has scooped £1,000 after being named the winner of the inaugural edition of the Andrew Murray Signature Prize. Read the full article below, republished by kind permission of The Law Socitey:

Sharon Mala, a Kenyan-Swiss student studying an LLB (Hons) in Law and Politics, was the outstanding entrant in the competition, which was open to law students across Scotland.

She was presented with the trophy at a reception last night (Wednesday) at Edinburgh’s historic Signet Library, hosted by former BBC news broadcaster Jackie Bird.

The Andrew Murray Signature Prize was launched by Murray Beith Murray LLP earlier this year to find the next generation of talented lawyers emerging in Scotland.

It is named in honour of Andrew Murray, who established the practice in Edinburgh in 1849 when he joined in partnership with Donald Beith.

The firm recently unveiled a new brand identity, which takes inspiration from Andrew Murray’s own signature, as found on legal documents dating back 175 years.

The original documents were on display last night at the Signet Library reception, which was attended by around 150 guests.

Judges were impressed by Sharon Mala’s insightful essay on the challenges and opportunities associated with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the legal sector.

As well as a £1,000 prize, she will also see her essay published by the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland. In addition, she will be invited to interview for a legal traineeship at Murray Beith Murray.

Born and raised in Switzerland, the student from Geneva has developed a keen interest in private law, particularly private client, family and child law.

She is also a classical pianist, a basketball player and a keen boxer – having won bouts at Edinburgh’s Student Fight Night and Port O’Leith Boxing Club.

Speaking after receiving the prize, Sharon Mala said: “I am delighted and honoured to be the first recipient of the Andrew Murray Signature Prize.

“It is hugely exciting to have the opportunity to secure a legal traineeship at Murray Beith Murray, which I know is a prestigious practice with an unrivalled reputation in private client law.

“To have my essay published by the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland will represent another proud moment for myself and my family.”

Andrew Paterson, Chairman of Murray Beith Murray, said: “Sharon is clearly a talented student and worthy winner of the inaugural edition of the Andrew Murray Signature Prize.

“The competition was launched to celebrate the next generation of lawyers emerging from our universities and I am certain Sharon has all the attributes to be a future star of private client law in Scotland.

“It was an honour to announce Sharon as the winner of the prize last night, as we were joined by so many friends and colleagues at the Signet Library.

“The reception also provided an opportunity to reflect on recent successes at Murray Beith Murray, including the recruitment of talented new Partners and staff, as well as the launch of our new brand identity and refreshed website this summer.”

The runner-up in the prize contest was Cambel Shepherd, who is studying a Scottish and English Law LLB at the University of Dundee.

Joshua King, Editor of the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland, was among the judges of the Andrew Murray Signature Prize.

He said: “It was exciting to be involved in judging the entries and hearing what the lawyers of tomorrow think about AI.

“The judges were impressed by the standard of entries and encouraged by the talents displayed by the next generation of solicitors in Scotland.

“We will be proud to publish the winning entry by Sharon Mala in the Journal.”

The winning entry will be published here on the Journal next week.