Continuing the legacy

“I came to Dundee and benefited from a truly world-class experience which gave me the knowledge and understanding I needed to launch my career in the City.” Nick Buckworth, Dundee Law School graduate and the former head of AO Shearman’s global energy and infrastructure group reflects. 

Nick has built a distinguished career advising in the energy sector with a particular focus on first-in-kind, complex energy projects all over the globe. Yet, he’s never forgotten where his journey began. That’s why he became one of the founding members of the LLB Alumni Mentoring Programme, which launched in 2022.

The programme has become a core part of Dundee Law School’s approach to careers and employability, connecting students with alumni working across a huge range of sectors. Whether a student is studying Scots Law, English Law, or the Dual Qualifying LLB, the programme offers the chance to be mentored by someone who’s walked a similar path and can share genuine insight into life after graduation.

Nick is just one of the alumni giving back his time to help support the next generation of students. From courtroom advocates and in-house counsel to policy advisers and legal innovators, our graduates have carved out impressive careers across the UK and around the world, and still find time to give back to this meaningful project.

Mentors span roles in private practice, government, policy-making, financial services, international organisations, and even legal recruitment - offering students tailored advice, fresh perspectives, and, most importantly, confidence. It’s more than just networking - it’s about building real relationships with professionals who want to help others succeed. 

Another incredible contributor to the programme is David Harris, Head of Legal, Specialist Banking and Mass Affluent at Lloyds Banking Group, where he currently supports a wide range of areas including Wealth, Fraud and Financial Crime and Europe. 

Being in-house has allowed him to support many different business areas over the years. Before joining Lloyds, he worked in private practice, and brings valuable insight into both sides of the legal profession. His breadth of experience offers students a clear look into the corporate legal world - especially those considering in-house roles, which can be quite different from private practice.  

For David, mentoring is about shared learning. “It’s been great to see Emma [his mentee] develop and learn from my career experience (and mistakes!),” he says with a smile. “And incredibly valuable to learn what challenges students are facing now, and what they’re looking for in a career.” That two-way relationship is something many mentors mention - being inspired by their mentees as much as the other way around. 

Professor Peter McEleavy, who designed and launched the programme, is proud of how far it’s come. “The programme has grown from strength to strength - in terms of student participation and the size of our alumni panel,” he says. “Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s been wonderful to see students develop, grow in confidence, and use the insights they’ve gained to secure vacation placements and training contracts, both in the UK and internationally.” 

Today, the mentor panel is bigger and more diverse than ever. Alumni range from recent graduates, to senior lawyers and professionals with decades of experience. That diversity means students can find someone who truly understands their career goals and can provide relevant, realistic advice - whether they’re still exploring their options or already focused on a specific path.