MHC Life: Ailbhe Lawless

Tell us a bit about you and your career journey to MHC – what inspired you to get into this career?

I have been in MHC four times since August 2016 when I started my 12 month placement with Debt Recovery. I came back for the internship programme in 2018 where I worked with the corporate charities team, and then once more to work as a legal secretary in commercial litigation in 2019 after I finished the Kings Inns. I was called to the Bar in 2019 and practiced from 2019 until April 2023 when I joined MHC Knowledge as the Commercial Knowledge Lawyer.

My practice at the Bar was general, but mainly focused on civil and commercial matters. I lectured in a couple of the universities while I was at the Bar – which was something I really enjoyed. I also did my Masters in UCD in Intellectual Property and Information Technology in 2022. I really liked the sound of knowledge – I knew there would be variety, and that I would be able to use the skills I have developed at the Bar well.

Favourite thing about your role?

My favourite thing about Knowledge is the variety in the tasks and the interactions we have with everyone from across the firm. Even though I am the Commercial Knowledge Lawyer, I assist with queries received from Commercial Litigation, Debt, Employment, Real Estate, Financial Services, Corporate, Construction and any other departments, as required.

I have always enjoyed research and like being able to go down rabbit holes in different areas. I track the various updates for commercial, and I enjoy becoming familiar with the never ending amount of EU laws.

One of my other key roles is managing and collecting the team’s know how, so we can share internal learnings and legal updates more effectively. I have started to assist with organising the training sessions for the department too, which means I’m never short for CPD points!

What sports/hobbies/pastimes do you enjoy?

I love horses. I have owned my own horse for over 12 years – we have grown up together. He is the closest thing I have to a brother. I am very fortunate to live close to the yard where I keep him, so I go there every evening after work where possible. It gives headspace – I can turn off my brain and just do the tasks in front of me, without thinking about everything else that is going on. It is also the closest I get to turning off my phone because there is next to no signal there – it is an escape from the world of screens for a couple of hours!

I also love boxercise – it is incredibly good fun and a seriously good workout. I was doing it in Mason Hayes & Curran last year, but I found it difficult to fit in around the work day and after hours did not suit me because I also needed to get to the yard at a half reasonable hour. So, instead I am doing it closer to home now.

What books have you read recently?

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden – it was excellent. Really suspenseful and cleverly written – it had a good twist!

One thing most people don’t know about you?

I am an avid walker/hiker. I do the Harbour2Harbour walk each year, Darkness into Light, and I walked the Wicklow way from Carlow to Marlay Park over 5 days in August 2022. We stayed in B&Bs though – no way was I camping in Ireland, even in August… I am planning to walk the Wild Atlantic way at some stage this year.