Thea Sutherland
Bondi Junction ,New South Wales
Summary
Scots Law graduate with a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and hands on experience as a Legal Assistant in both private and public practice. Currently in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa, actively pursuing opportunities as a paralegal or legal assistant. Committed to completing required conversion modules while gaining practical legal experience. Highly motivated and organised, focused on long term career development in the legal field.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work history
Legal Assistant
Shetland Islands Council
Lerwick, Shetland
2025.06 - 2025.11
- On returning to Shetland from university, I secured an eight week contract as a legal assistant in legal services for Shetland Islands Council.
- Due to my strong work ethic, and how valuable the team found me, I was asked to remain in post and my contract was extended until I left to travel, continuing through to November.
- In this role, I worked closely with solicitors across a range of council matters, in particular Education, Social Work and Contract, preparing legal documents, conducting legal research and ensuring organised case management to support ongoing matters.
- I gained good communication skills through liaising with internal departments and external parties, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and adherence to deadlines.
- This experience strengthened my organisational skills, attention to detail and understanding of legal practice within a local authority setting.
Legal Assistant
Harper Macleod LLP
Lerwick , Shetland
2022.06 - 2024.08
- I carried out three summer placements within one of Scotland’s leading full-service law firms. During my placement, I worked closely alongside the property and family teams attending client meetings and drafting legal documents as well as attending several hearings in court.
- Attend client meetings and take minutes
- Drafting affidavits and minutes of agreements
- Saving client documents under matter numbers
- Dispositions
- Title deeds and servitudes
- Settlements
- Divorce from start to finish – defended and undefended divorces
- Child custody/residence/contact interdicts
Student Researcher
Shetland Criminal Justice Social Work Department
Lerwick, Shetland
2019.01 - 2019.01
- In 2019, I proactively sought work experience in the legal sector and found work experience within the criminal justice social work department with the local authority in Shetland.
- This allowed me to spend time within a legal environment, observing the various duties and roles of the local judiciary.
- This gave me good foresight in the level of attainment necessary to ensure I succeed in my future legal profession.
- During this time, I observed several summary procedures and one solemn procedure where I gained understanding of the role of a jury.
- During each hearing, I took effective minutes in order to report back to my colleagues. Afterwards, the discussions of the cases broadened my knowledge of the conclusions the court may come to in such a case.
Events Assistant
Shetland Arts Development Agency
Lerwick, Shetland
2017.01 - 2025.11
- Assisted in organising cultural, artistic, and craft events as part of a diverse team.
- Supported team members by demonstrating punctuality and commitment during public events.
- Enhanced interpersonal communication skills through regular customer interactions.
Process Operator
Scottish Sea Farms
Scalloway, Shetland
2020.04 - 2020.08
- During the covid pandemic I was furloughed from my job at Shetland arts. As I was keen to continue working I took up a position as a process operator for Scottish sea farms.
- I worked as part of the production line to sort and package salmon products. Effective team-work was necessary in order for efficient production, ensuring product quality was maintained throughout.
- Shifts commenced at 7 am and often continued on into the evening depending on the volume of salmon harvested.
- I worked a full summer and completed all my shifts which I feel demonstrates my strong work ethic.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - Professional Legal Practice (DPLP)
University of Strathclyde
Glasgow 04.2025
LLB Law - Honours
Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh06.2024
Skills
- Initiative and independence
- Work effectively as part of a team
- Excellent organisational skills
- Commercial understanding skills
- Creative problem solving
Timeline
Legal Assistant
Shetland Islands Council
2025.06 - 2025.11
Legal Assistant
Harper Macleod LLP
2022.06 - 2024.08
Process Operator
Scottish Sea Farms
2020.04 - 2020.08
Student Researcher
Shetland Criminal Justice Social Work Department
2019.01 - 2019.01
Events Assistant
Shetland Arts Development Agency
2017.01 - 2025.11
Postgraduate Diploma - Professional Legal Practice (DPLP)
University of Strathclyde
LLB Law - Honours
Edinburgh Napier University