[1] Rae modelled herself on her grandfather, who was an Italian lawyer who opposed Mussolini and died in 1937.
(Rae's appearance on Desert Island Discs https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_fourfm?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile) She became a solicitor in 1974, joined the Faculty of Advocates from 1982, and was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1992.
She acted as a Temporary Judge in the Supreme Courts, part time, from 2010 – 2013.
In 2015, Lady Rae presided over the trial of Alexander Pacteau after his guilty plea to the murder of Karen Buckley in Glasgow.
[5] In June 2019 Lady Rae was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from the University of Glasgow On 21 April 2021, Rae was elected Rector of the University of Glasgow, succeeding Aamer Anwar.