Kelly A. Powers

Eva McNaughton came to the United States this summer from her native Scotland in two roles: a Saltire Scholar and member of the “Tartan Army” supporting her country’s soccer team in the World Cup.

While Scotland did not make it out of the group stage of the tournament, Eva’s summer internship working out of Miles & Stockbridge’s Washington office with the Family Law practice under Stephen Cullen, a fellow Scot, and Kelly Powers was much more successful.

“It’s been an amazing experience,” says Eva. “I cannot speak highly enough of Stephen, Kelly and the team, the work I’ve been able to do and living in Washington.”

Saltire Scholarships are offered by the Scottish government in collaboration with Scottish universities and colleges to those “who aspire to become influential leaders in their future careers.”

Eva was drawn to Miles & Stockbridge because the internship was based in Washington and for the opportunity to work on cases involving the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. During her time at the firm, she attended client meetings and court hearings, conducted research and drafted a range of documents, including a Hague application.

“I've enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the work,” she says. “Everyone here is very ambitious and very hardworking, and it's been really inspiring to see. It's definitely something that I'm going to carry forward with me.”

In addition to learning about law in multiple jurisdictions, Eva joined the firm’s summer associates in professional development and training sessions, client events and social activities outside of the office. She particularly enjoyed her trip to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Eva graduated this summer with her law degree from the University of Glasgow. She'll head back to Glasgow to complete her Diploma in Legal Practice before starting a two-year training contract at an international firm to qualify as a solicitor in Scotland.

"I'm already looking ahead to sitting for a bar exam in the U.S.," she says. "It's just been so great that I would love to come back."

Says Stephen: “Eva is part of our family law family now and was a huge help this summer. Haste ye back.”

Members of the Family Law team at Fort McHenry, from left: Stephen Cullen, Kelly Powers, Saltire Scholar Eva McNaughton, Jim Sullivan, Kelly Robier and Joel Zuckerman.