IRELAND FEMALE LED LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR LAWYER MONTHLY LEGAL AWARDS 2025 35 IRELAND FEMALE LED LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR LAWYER MONTHLY LEGAL AWARDS 2025 34 We try to be forward-thinking and flexible in the approach we take to how we work. For example, when the firm was established in 2017, most law firms still operated in a very traditional workspace with traditional working hours. Our firm is proud to have been ahead of its time in introducing options such as remote and flexible working very soon after our establishment, and long before Covid. These benefits have helped us along the way in attracting and retaining the right people for the right roles. You’re clearly paving the way for future female leaders in law. How important is mentorship within your firm, and how do you ensure women continue to rise through the ranks? Mentorship is absolutely central to our firm’s ethos—it’s not just something we encourage, it’s something we actively build into our structure and culture. I remind new members of our team that “the only stupid question is the question that you do not ask.” We believe that true leadership isn’t just about reaching the top; it’s about holding the door open for others to follow. That mindset drives everything we do when it comes to supporting the next generation of female leaders in law. We ensure women continue to rise through the ranks by creating clear, transparent pathways to leadership, offering meaningful development opportunities, and pairing junior lawyers with mentors who are invested in their growth. We focus on more than just technical skill—we nurture confidence, resilience, and strategic thinking. What does a modern, inclusive, and high-performing legal workplace look like to you, and how have you built that at AOC Solicitors? To me, a modern, inclusive, and high-performing legal workplace is one where diversity is genuinely valued, voices are heard at every level, and people feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work—without compromising on excellence. It’s an environment where collaboration thrives, innovation is encouraged, and success is measured not just by billable hours or outcomes, but by the wellbeing, growth, and engagement of the team. At AOC Solicitors, we foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diversity and empowers our team to reach their full potential. We meet as a team at least three times a week, and these meetings are invaluable in terms of ensuring good communication and efficiencies in circumstances where we operate on a hybrid working model. However, we also utilise these meetings to put our heads together and tease out any complex issues that any of us are considering in relation to a particular case. This allows us to harness a combined total of over five decades of specialist Employment Law experience and apply it to any complicated legal issue our clients encounter. We also have regular dedicated Team Days to review how we operate as a team and how best to work together to optimise team performance. We believe that a positive and motivated team translates into better service for our clients. When people feel respected, heard, and valued, they do their best work—and that’s the culture we’ve worked hard to build. What’s one piece of advice you wish you could give your younger self and today’s aspiring female lawyers? One piece of advice I wish I could give my younger self—and every aspiring female lawyer today—is this: trust your gut and have confidence in your own ability. You don’t need validation from everyone. In the early stages of your career, it’s easy to feel like you have to constantly prove yourself or seek validation before believing in yourself and your abilities. But the truth is, your perspective, your intuition, and your ideas are valuable right now—regardless of what others think. Also, don’t underestimate the power of community. Surround yourself with people who challenge and uplift you, seek out mentors, and don’t be afraid to be a mentor to others, even as you’re growing. Success in law doesn’t have to come at the expense of authenticity, compassion, or balance. You can lead with strength and still stay true to who you are. What’s next for AOC Solicitors? Are there any exciting developments, expansions, or areas of innovation we should keep an eye on? We’re incredibly excited about what’s next for the firm. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on strategic expansion, innovation, and deepening our impact—both for our clients and within the legal profession. We’re investing to enhance efficiency, collaboration, and client experience, and we have made significant advances this year in our understanding of AI and how it can/should be utilised by law firms. We were delighted to retain our ranking as a Tier 2 Firm by Legal 500 (the only boutique employment law practice to be ranked at that level). We were also honoured to have been ranked by Legal 500 in 2024 as a Leading Firm for Client Satisfaction with a five-star rating. Of the 31 employment law firms ranked by Legal 500 in Ireland, we are one of just five to receive this accolade. We hope to maintain these rankings in the year ahead. But perhaps most importantly, we’re committed to continuing our work around inclusion, leadership development, and culture-building—ensuring our firm remains a place where top talent thrives, and where the next generation of legal leaders is actively nurtured. So yes—exciting things are on the horizon. We’re growing with purpose, and we can’t wait to share what’s coming next. Winning Female-Led Law Firm of the Year is a powerful affirmation of our team’s resilience, vision, and the culture we’ve built together.”
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