​Robbie Thomson, third from right, is Miles & Stockbridge's Saltire Scholar for the summer, working under Kelly Powers, second from right, and Stephen Cullen, far right. They joined, from left, Hayley Michael, events specialist at the White House Historical Association (WHHA), and John Fleming and Tom Buchan-Steele, Saltire Scholars at the WHHA, at an event last month at the British Embassy in Washington.

Robbie Thomson is halfway through his internship program as Miles & Stockbridge's Saltire Scholar this summer, but he still can't get over his commute to the Washington office from his temporary home in Foggy Bottom.

“It's a bit surreal walking to work past the White House every day," says Robbie, who is entering his final year of law school at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

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."

Robbie found out about the Saltire Scholarship through the university and thought it would be “quite a cool thing" to work at an American law firm. He is working closely with Stephen Cullen and Kelly Powers, who have led the growth of the firm's international family law practice, particularly in the United Kingdom, where they are admitted in England, Scotland and Wales.

Robbie has been helping Stephen and Kelly with research for upcoming trials while also reviewing case law and documents and learning about the Hague Convention.

“Robbie fits right in and it is like he has been here for years," says Stephen. “Lucky Scotland to be getting him back at the end of the summer."

Robbie had not done any family law work in law school prior to coming to Miles & Stockbridge.

“It's a great opportunity to learn something new, especially from people who are so well respected," he says, adding he's even used his Spanish to help interpret for a client.

The biggest difference he has noticed between practicing law in Scotland and the U.S. is there is “so much more case law" in America.

“In Scotland, it's so much easier to track case law," he says. “Here, you so have so many more circuits and jurisdictions to watch."

Robbie will be in the Washington office through July 28. He has enjoyed meeting colleagues, including at the Pride events last week.

“Everyone's really friendly," he says. “It's a very welcoming culture."

Robbie plans to practice law after graduating. While there is a focus in Scottish law schools on graduates going into business and corporate law, his time working with Stephen and Kelly has piqued his interest in family law.

“It's definitely an avenue I'm going to consider now," he says.