Younger members of the legal profession gathered last night to discuss how to best embark on their early career paths.

The panel discussion was entitled 'From NQ to partner: how to navigate and stay well on the journey' and was tailored for young lawyers who want to grow their personal network while maintaining a harmonious work-life balance.

The conference at the William Fry office in Dublin 2 (26 June) on the topic was presented by the IBA Young Lawyers' Committee, the Law Society Younger Members Committee, Society of Young Solicitors Ireland and the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association Younger Members' Committee.

The panel, moderated by Antoinette Moriarty, head of Law Society Psychological Services, also heard from:

• Brazilian lawyer Alessandra Nascimento, SF Mourão (former chair of IBA Professional Ethics Committee),
• Steven Richman, Clark Hill, New Jersey (co-chair of IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission), and
• Fiona McNulty, MHC, (former chair of the Law Society Younger Members Committee).

Rigours of practice

The discussion ranged from the rigours of legal practice to sharing strategies for overcoming obstacles and discussion on how to thrive as a junior lawyer.

Antoinette Moriarty said: “We know from sector-wide research that in the next five years, half of young lawyers are somewhat likely, or highly likely, to move to a new workplace, a third to a new area of legal practice, and a fifth to leave the profession entirely.

“Their reasons for leaving are dominated by concerns about work-life balance and mental health.

“Our panel explored the dynamics underpinning this reality as well as surfacing what younger lawyers may need in order to stay – and to thrive!"