Jack Elder had an interest in international family law when he began his Saltire Scholarship earlier this summer under Stephen Cullen, a fellow Scot, at Miles & Stockbridge’s Pennsylvania Avenue office in Washington. Now, as Jack prepares to return home, he can see himself eventually making it a career. “I feel so energized by it,” he says. “The work is so important. It doesn’t feel like a job sometimes because you want to help people.”

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."

Jack earned his law degree in May from the University of Glasgow and spent a year studying at the University of Buffalo School of Law. He had never been to the Mid-Atlantic but the idea of walking past the White House on the way to work intrigued him. He knew he made the right decision after he had the opportunity to not just do research in family law cases but also draft motions and complaints.

“I felt appreciated that I was trusted to do meaningful work,” he says. “Plus, everyone at Miles & Stockbridge was approachable if I had questions. People want to know you and want to help you.”

In addition to learning about law in multiple jurisdictions, Jack joined the firm’s summer associates in professional development and training sessions, client events and social activities outside of the office, including his first baseball game at Oriole Park in Baltimore. He even had a chance to visit the White House, watching the July 4 fireworks from the lawn thanks to Saltire scholars working at the White House Historical Association.

Jack will head back to Glasgow to get his fifth-year diploma, the Scottish equivalent of a law school degree, and then join a law firm for two years of additional training.

“Jack is a great Scotsman and makes us all proud,” says Stephen. “We will miss him, but our loss is Scotland’s gain.”