In the next interview from our MHC Life series, we chat to Katie McDermott, a Senior Associate in our Employment and Benefits team. Katie tells us about her love of horses, being a reluctant gardener and her happy place.
What inspired you to venture on this career path?
I didn't know until I was at college that I wanted to be a lawyer. While undertaking a business degree, the legal subjects were my favourite. I liked how each law was supported by a piece of legislation or case-law and enjoyed the nuanced reasoning behind one judgment against another. It just fit the way my mind worked. I chose to major in law and went from there.
Three things you have learned during your time in Mason Hayes & Curran?
That there is a top law firm where:
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work/life balance is achievable;
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nobody pulls the ladder up behind them; and
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you can bring your full-self to work.
It's here at Mason Hayes & Curran by the way!
Favourite thing about your role?
I work as a business immigration lawyer within the Employment and Benefits Team. I consider myself to have a unique legal position. In most instances, when a client contacts their lawyer, it is because they have a problem. This is not the case in business immigration. On the contrary, I have the privilege of helping people navigate a complex system to achieve personal and professional goals at a time when they are excited at the prospect of relocating to our beautiful country.
Guiding investors, companies and charities through the Immigrant Investor Programme is another rewarding aspect of my role. The programme has raised over €500 million from investors for home-grown companies and charities since its inception. A total of €27 million has been donated to charities in the State under an endowment option within the programme. At Mason Hayes & Curran, we have the added benefit of our own Charity Law and Not-for-Profit department so we are well placed to assist investors who want to obtain residence in Ireland by philanthropic means.
What sports/hobbies/pastimes do you enjoy?
If I'm in a hot country you will find me diving and if I'm on snow I'll be in skis.
On home ground I am a reluctant gardener as a consequence of buying a property with unrelenting grounds. My husband loves to remind me that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Now I fantasize about a postage stamp-sized garden. Far-away hills and all that…
If I wasn't a lawyer, I would be........
…a vet. I was horse-mad growing up and if I wasn't warming-up polo ponies in the Phoenix Park, I was exercising my own around an arena. I never minded the physical care aspects of owning animals and reckon that it prepares you well for parenthood – I'll spare you the details of where they overlap!
What's your idea of a perfect holiday/favourite place you've ever visited?
The Greek Islands. I was lucky enough to have very adventurous parents who would don two backpacks and take my siblings and I to discover a number of them every summer of my childhood. I don't know how much of my love of Greece comes from those memories and how much comes from the unarguable beauty of the country, the warmth of the people and the irresistible cuisine. Either way, it's my happy place.
Interested in joining Ireland's fastest growing law firm? We are always interested in hearing from talented and experienced lawyers at all levels who are looking to relocate to Dublin.
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