International Women’s Day Series 2023
International Women’s Day (IWD) provides a key moment to celebrate women’s achievements in the workplace and showcase employer initiatives and support.
The theme for IWD 2023 is #EmbraceEquity. For us that means accelerating gender parity & inclusion.
This year for International Women’s Day 2023 Wilson Nesbitt is celebrating our impressive female team. We will be interviewing both our rising female stars and our leading ladies to chat to them about their careers, inspirations, observations and advice.
We’ve been interviewing seven of our rising female stars; one a day up until International Women’s Day next Wed 8 Mar, asking them what IWD means for them and the next generation.
International Women’s Day 2023 | Wed 8 Mar
Happy International Women’s Day 2023, for the finale of our IWD Interview Series we host a group interview with our three leading ladies; our Partners; Lauren Burns, Lenore Rice & Natasha Adamson.
Wed 8 Mar 2023
For our final Rising Star interview of the week we chat to Associate Shannon McLorie
Shannon, tell us about your role at Wilson Nesbitt?
I work in Wilson Nesbitt’s Family Law department. We deal with all family related matters. I specialise in all matters involving children with an interest in Public Law applications.
What has been your career journey so far?
I completed my Law degree in England. I started working with Wilson Nesbitt as a paralegal in the family department in 2016 and have remained in the family department ever since.
What is the one skill that helps you the most in your role?
I am a very practical person.
Which women inspire you the most?
Lady Hale has to get a mention.
On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women starting out with their careers?
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop!
Tue 7 Mar 2023
For Day 7 we speak with Senior Solicitor Izabela Treacy
Izabela, describe your role within Wilson Nesbitt?
I am a Senior Solicitor in our Real Estate department. I specialise in development, investment and landlord and tenant transactions.
What has been your career journey so far?
I graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 2016. I started working at Wilson Nesbitt as a Paralegal in our Residential Conveyance department shortly after my graduation. I worked in that department until 2020, when I qualified as a Solicitor and joined our Real Estate team.
What do you find is the one skill that helps you the most?
Being able to prioritise and manage clients’ expectations is very helpful. This is particularly important when dealing with a larger number of transactions and projects which are very often on tight deadlines.
Which women inspire you the most?
I couldn’t even start naming all of the women that inspire me, as there are simply too many.
I definitely feel inspired by women in my family, my female colleagues and friends.
I love watching how they all grow in their own way.
On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women starting out with their careers?
While it is great to be inspired by others, do not compare yourself or your career to them.
Everyone’s career path is different and not everyone will be progressing on the same timeline.
It is important to focus on your own goals and progression.
Mon 6 Mar 2023
It’s Day 6 and we chat with Associate Hannah-Louisa Fitzmaurice
Hannah-Louisa, tell us about your role within Wilson Nesbitt?
I am an Associate with in our Residential Conveyancing team specialising in high value and complex sales, purchases, remortgages.
What has been your career journey so far?
I completed my undergraduate degree in Law with Criminology at Ulster University in 2013. I Joined Wilson Nesbitt in March 2014 and began working in our Matrimonial / Probate team. I attended the Institute of Professional Legal Studies in 2017, completed my training and qualified as a Solicitor in 2018.
What is the one skill that helps you the most in your role?
Organisation!
Which women inspire you the most?
All women are inspirational, however, for me it would have to be my Mum. She has always told me to go after what I want in life and take every opportunity given to me. She is always on hand to give me that push if I need it!
On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women starting out with their careers?
Nothing is out of your reach, you can and will do it. Always keep in mind your end goal and you will get there.
Surround yourself with likeminded people who will support and encourage you.
Sat 4 Mar, 2023
For Day 4 we speak with Associate Lynsey McWhinney
Tell us about your role within the firm?
I am an Associate in the Lender Services team which involves risk managing the residential lending team to include money laundering regulation compliance. My main role is to deal with any team wide technical queries that may arise. I also deal with any matters involving buy to lets, transfers of interest and Co-ownership.
What has been your career journey so far?
I completed my Undergraduate law degree at University of Ulster in 2013, and joined Wilson Nesbitt in June 2016 after having taken a year out to study Business in America as part of the Study USA program initiated by the British Council. I completed my post graduate training at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies, and qualified as a Solicitor in 2016. I began my time at the firm working in the Conveyancing department, before moving to Lender Services.
What is the one skill that helps you the most in your role?
Being able to prioritise.
Which women inspire you the most?
I am inspired everyday by my many of my female friends and family members, however the one lady who stands out in my mind is my mum. She has been my number one supporter since day one. Her hard work, determination and ability to make any one she meets feel at ease is something I have always admired.
On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women starting out with their careers?
It would have to be never give up on your dream.
I entered the profession at a time when training contracts were like gold dust and I didn’t have any connections in the profession, but I never let the rejections get in the way. I was determined this was the career I wanted, and I finally got there. You will too.
Fri 2 Mar, 2023
It’s Day 3 of our IWD Interview Series & we speak with Senior Associate Ciara Barlow
Ciara, tell us about your role within Wilson Nesbitt?
I am a Senior Associate in Wilson Nesbitt specialising in family and matrimonial law to include divorce, financial settlements, pre & post nuptial agreements and child contact.
Tell us about your legal career path so far?
I completed my Honours degree in Law and Marketing in 2009. I started Wilson Nesbitt shortly thereafter as a paralegal in the employment department before joining the matrimonial team as a paralegal. I completed my training contract with the firm in 2015 and qualified as a solicitor in the family and matrimonial department.
What is the one skill that helps you the most in your role?
Organisation! You never know what each day is going to bring so being organised keeps me on track and avoids missing the all important deadlines.
If you had to name any inspirational women, who would they be?
The Right Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan, Lady Chief Justice of NI and the first woman ever to hold the highest judicial position in NI. I have appeared before her on many occasions be it for a divorce or Children Order application; her no nonsense approach makes her a formidable force but has certainly taught me a few lessons along the way.
On a more personal note my mum who always told me to follow my dreams, you can do it!
For IWD 2023, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women starting out with their careers?
Support each other, you never know when you might meet that female counterpart again- and need to pick their brains one day.
Thu 1 Mar, 2023
For Day 2, we speak to Associate Sian Wells
Sian, tell us about your role within Wilson Nesbitt?
I am an Associate in the Commercial Litigation team specialising in High Court disputes in the Real Estate, Construction, Commercial and Corporate spheres. I also practice employment law at the Employment Tribunals, predominantly for employers.
How has your career journey been so far?
I completed my undergraduate degree in Law at Dundee University in 2015. I joined Wilson Nesbitt in August 2015 and began working in the conveyancing department. I then completed my training at the Institute for Professional Legal Studies in 2017, whilst working at Wilson Nesbitt and then qualified as a Solicitor in 2018. I have worked in the conveyancing, criminal, personal injury and litigation departments – quite a mix!
What would you say is your key skill that helps you the most in your role?
I would say that I have good communication skills. I think that it is important to articulate yourself in an appropriate way with clients and colleagues when both speaking and in writing, as well as being able to listen!
Which women inspire you the most?
In the legal sphere, I admire the Lady Chief Justice for paving the way for women to achieve the top job- in what was formerly a male dominated profession.
In my school days, I had a geography teacher called Mrs Hayes. I hated geography and thought it was one of those ‘pointless’ subjects. Her lessons however were structured with two goals we were to achieve at the end of the lesson which she wrote on the board at the front of the class. As a result, I never forgot those two goals throughout the class. It gave her lessons focus and made me determined to achieve the goals that were glaringly in front of you. I would still use Mrs Hayes’ methodology in work today.
On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women starting out with their careers?
In my view, the best thing you can do when starting your career is to build up a group of peers as soon as possible. There are a number of groups that women starting out in the profession can join, such as the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors Association and Women in Business. These associations run events where you can meet people and start networking from the word go.
I personally have a WhatsApp chat with the Solicitors I met at the IPLS. It pings with (work related and social) messages every day! You will never know when you will need help, and having a strong group of peers makes asking for help a lot less daunting.
Wed 1 Mar, 2023
To start off our week long IWD Series, we speak to Associate, Hannah Simpson
Hannah, tell us about your role within Wilson Nesbitt?
I am an Associate within the Litigation department specialising in medical negligence, catastrophic injury, accidents at work and road traffic accident claims.
What has been your career journey so far?
I graduated from Newcastle University and started my career as a paralegal within the Probate Department of Wilson Nesbitt.
I completed my training contract here with Wilson Nesbitt and then qualified as a Solicitor. In the last year I have delivered training events within the profession and assisted on the redrafting of protocols within the County Court.
What is the one skill that helps you the most in your role?
Being consistent and being organised.
Which women inspire you the most?
My answer to this is always my Grandma. I really admire her for everything she has achieved and her resilience.
Women supporting women will always be people that inspire me.
On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to young women starting out with their careers?
Just go for it. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and if there is a particular role/position you want to go for and you are worried that you’re are not good enough for it, just apply.
Many an opportunity comes out of putting your name forward for things even if you don’t get the position you initially applied for. I think women in particular are worried that they are not good enough for things.
Find out more | IWD: About International Women’s Day (internationalwomensday.com)