Janet was the daughter of Peter and Janet Fleming Monteith. She was born at Stevenson Drive, Shawlands, Glasgow on 2nd May 1901. Her father was a chief inspector of works. He died before she finished her university education. Janet began her studies in the Law Faculty in 1919. She would in all probability have secured an apprenticeship at that time, though details are not yet known. She had an aptitude for her studies, gaining third place and a Faculty of Procurators’ prize in both Scots Law and Conveyancing and yet another third place in Forensic Medicine. She graduated with an excellent B.L. degree in 1922. She worked first as a law clerk and then as a qualified solicitor, one of the very few to do so without a known connection to a family firm. Janet also followed in the steps of Madge Easton Anderson, not only by becoming one of the first women solicitors but also in playing a significant role in the Glasgow Soroptimist Association. Madge was a founder member and the first secretary of the organisation before she left to pursue her career in London. Janet served on the Finance Committee, no doubt of great value to an organisation representing business and the professions but so recently having no women solicitors from whom to recruit members. She maintained her legal career, renewing her practising certificate into the 1960s. She died in 1985, aged 84.
Sources
GU Archives: matric, grad roll, General Council
Law Lists
Scotland’s People
Minutes of Executive Meting, 9th May 1934 Glasgow Soroptimists Assoc. , City Archives
