I qualified as a solicitor at the beginning of 2006 and was made a partner in the firm in early 2011. Since qualifying I've worked in the Business Department at LK Shields Solicitors. Throughout my time with the Firm I have continuously developed my skills as a corporate lawyer, not just pure legal skills but also the many business skills required to deliver a class-leading legal advisory service to some of the country's top business people.

The environment of LK Shields Solicitors is one where I can continue to learn, develop and pass on the skills required to be a first-rate lawyer stewarded by professionals who are respected leaders in their respective fields. In this atmosphere I am confident that I can achieve my ambition of establishing myself as a leading corporate lawyer.

Since joining the firm I have been exposed to a wide variety of commercial matters including many complex mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings and corporate finance. I have worked with Partners and other solicitors in a close knit team and have received an excellent grounding in both business law and corporate transactional work.

In my opinion the firm provides an opportunity to work with a lot of people who are not only interesting in their own right but also very good at what they do. I have been exposed to some very significant players in the Irish business world and been involved at all stages of key transactions, and throughout I have always felt that I was given just enough responsibility to allow me to gain a good insight into the work without being thrown in at the deep end.

I also had the opportunity to work on secondment with one of the firm's corporate clients. During this period I got to work closely with the client and to understand its needs. The opportunity of stepping out of the advisory role and becoming the client for a period of time has given me a good understanding of the commercial and practical realities generally encountered by our corporate clients.

The people on my team are hugely supportive. The culture at LK Shields Solicitors is open and friendly. You are encouraged to get involved in the many social events, so now many of my colleagues are also friends. The firm continues to grow steadily despite the challenges in the market, much of the growth has been organic and supported by a high level of trainee retention. I remain excited by the career I have in front of me with
LK Shields Solicitors and despite the current difficult economic situation, I feel that the firm offers me a great future.