MH&C LLP partner Conor Fottrell is seeking re-election to the governing authority at NUI Galway.

Some 100,000 graduates of the university are eligible to vote in the election, which will take place by e-vote in early January.   

Fottrell has been a partner in the Dublin 4, top-five firm Mason Hayes & Curran since 2013.

He specialises in public and administrative law and has a particular interest in child and family law, often attending the High Court acting on behalf of State agencies dealing with high-risk young children.

Now back on the campaign trail, Conor is seeking re-election to the graduate panel of the governing authority at NUI Galway, where he has sat since January 2013.

Statutory function

Speaking from the campaign trail, he told Gazette.ie that he was keen “to give something back to the university I attended for five years”.

He added that the role is a “serious commitment, with a clear statutory function defined under the Irish Universities Act.”

An updated code of governance for Irish universities has also been published during the past year.  

Conor says he finds the role “challenging but interesting” and necessitates striking a balance between his solicitor duties and his service on the governing authority.

“I feel that solicitors have much to contribute on all aspects of governance, accountability and oversight,” he adds. 

Accountability

He believes his legal background and professional training will continue to help him serve as a very useful as a member of the authority.

On accountability, Conor says that good governance is the ultimate guarantee of accountability in any large organisation that has a role in the advancement of the public good.

He is asking fellow Galway graduates to support his re-election.

In particular, he is appealing to legal practitioners and law graduates to register and support his candidacy.

Track record

“This is definitely a challenge, but one I am looking forward to, as I feel I have experience and a track record over the last seven years as a strong independent member of the authority, working to promote the best interests of the university,” Fottrell said. 

All graduates of the university are entitled to vote, but must be registered with the alumni office.

Graduates should simply email: alumni@nuigalway.ie with their degree and year of graduation before 5pm on 1 January 2021 in order to register.