Law Society of Scotland appoints Kevin Lang as interim chief executive following McGiffen’s departure
The Law Society of Scotland has appointed Kevin Lang as its interim chief executive following the departure of Diane McGiffen, who will step down at the end of April 2024. Lang, a veteran of the organisation with 14 years of service, assumes the role at a critical time for the Scottish legal profession.
McGiffen described her time at the helm as “an enormous privilege” and said now was the right time for a leadership transition. Her tenure included navigating post-pandemic regulatory reforms and broader professional modernisation.
Embed from Getty ImagesSusan Murray, President of the Law Society, praised Lang’s institutional knowledge and steady hand. “I’m very pleased that Kevin Lang will be our interim chief executive until the Society makes a permanent chief executive appointment,” she said, citing his proven ability to lead during periods of change.
Lang, who has worked across senior policy and strategy roles within the Society, expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “It’s a huge honour to be asked to be interim chief executive of the Law Society,” he said.
He promised to maintain continuity while advancing the Society’s long-term priorities. “I’m focused on providing stability and ensuring the organisation continues to deliver on its strategic objectives,” Lang stated.
One of those priorities is the much-anticipated Regulation of Legal Services Bill, which Lang noted as a milestone in the Society’s ongoing campaign for reform. “This Bill represents over a decade of work advocating for stronger protections and a more modern legal framework,” he said.
Lang’s appointment comes at a time when legal regulation in Scotland is under intense scrutiny. The forthcoming Bill is expected to reshape oversight mechanisms for solicitors, increase consumer protections, and potentially redefine the powers of the Law Society itself.
As the Society begins the search for a permanent chief executive, Lang’s stewardship is seen as a means of ensuring momentum isn’t lost.
The appointment has been broadly welcomed across the legal sector, where Lang is regarded as a steady and experienced leader well-versed in the challenges and expectations of the role.
