This week we talk to Louis McCarthy, a Senior Associate in our Real Estate team. Louis chats about his career journey, a typical day and his idea of a perfect holiday.
Tell us a bit about you and your career journey to MHC – what inspired you to get into this career?
Leaving school, I was not dead set on what I wanted to do but I enjoyed humanities subjects, so opted for a BA in History and Sociology at UCD. I quite liked the psychology side of marketing and felt studying law would be interesting and sharpen my mind. Approaching graduation, I was torn between the two, so did a post-graduate qualification in both! After this it became clear to me law was the path I wanted to take, and I completed the Law Society entrance exams.
To get some initial experience I worked as a legal researcher on the government’s Statute Revision Programme examining pre-1922 legislation to identify laws to be retained in a Statute Revision Act. I then started my legal training with a general practice in County Dublin. Property law was my favourite part of that job, so when I saw the firm had a vacancy for a newly qualified real estate solicitor I jumped at the chance.
What was your first job?
A paper round when I was in 6th class - this taught me the importance of accuracy at work, a missed paper would result in all sorts of upsets!
The following year I got a summer job picking and selling strawberries – it was hard work but rewarding when customers would receive their succulent Wexford punnets at the door. I also worked at the local petrol station doing everything from working the till, stacking shelves, washing cars, and making sandwiches, a solid grounding in customer service.
During my college years and a couple of years after I worked as a DJ in bars and nightclubs around Dublin which I really enjoyed - the power of a DJ is immense! but Friday night always felt like a Monday morning and the anti-social hours were tough.
Talk us through a typical day for you
Always a bowl of porridge at 7am while reading the paper. I work in the office most days, commuting by bike. Once I arrive, I have a coffee and review my to-do list and emails. Our team usually has a check-in Zoom call at 9:30am. After that, the day is spent working through tasks on my list (setting aside blocks of time for matters requiring concentration, such as drafting contracts or reviewing draft leases / property title deeds) and having calls with clients and other solicitors. I have lunch between 1-2pm and on some days pop out for a quick run to Sandymount. In the afternoon I continue working through my list until I leave the office around 7pm, jump on my bike and head home for dinner.
What sports / hobbies / pastimes do you enjoy?
I am a keen runner and get out for a run during the week and at weekends with my running club Rathfarnham Athletics. Myself and my fiancée have also recently taken on an allotment plot, which takes up a surprising amount of spare time. We are working towards enough vegetables for the mother of all Christmas dinners.
Favourite quote?
“Festina Lente – make haste slowly”. My friends and family will agree I’ve never been known to jump without consideration into…anything at all, really…
What tv shows have you binge watched recently?
I’m a huge fan of awkward comedies like Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Alan Partridge - I can relate! The last show I watched in one sitting was “the Cockfields” - a very funny situational comedy.
Have you ever met anyone famous?
I once met Mick Lally in my primary school, at the height of his Miley from Glenroe fame! The TV show was a big deal in our house growing up, so I was seriously impressed when he showed up to the school wearing a leather jacket.
What’s your idea of a perfect holiday?
We like to be quite active on our holidays. Lounging by the pool, lowering the beers, is not for me! My dream holiday is somewhere with plenty of hikes and outdoor activities. Favourite destinations have been Sedbergh in Cumbria (“England’s Book town”), Cornwall, Chamonix in France, and the west coast of Ireland.
Interested in joining our Real Estate team? There are a wide variety of opportunities, with a Senior Associate (Commercial Real Estate) position open now.
