IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHNSON HANA
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, Johnson Hana hosted a special luncheon and panel discussion featuring some of Ireland’s most accomplished female legal leaders …
The Power of Perspective: Lessons from Female Leaders invite-only event brought together industry experts to share their career journeys, insights, and strategies for navigating and thriving in the legal profession, in the private dining area of The Ivy, where guests enjoyed a three-course lunch.
Moderated by Emer O’Hora, Head of Legal, Johnson Hana, the panel featured Elaine Fox, Head of Ireland & Head of Privacy Europe, TikTok; Lisa Gallagher, General Counsel, An Post; Michelle Cunningham, Head of Legal & Compliance, AIB Life; and Katie da Gama, Executive Coach & former Managing Partner of Dublin office of DAC Beachcroft.
The discussion covered pivotal career moments, the challenges of leadership, and the evolving landscape of the legal profession. Key themes included transitioning from private practice to in-house roles, scaling legal teams in fast-paced environments, and the importance of mentorship and professional development.
Emer O’Hora, Head of Legal, Johnson Hana.
Supporting Legal Teams Through Life Stages
The panel explored the role of leaders in supporting their teams through different life stages. The importance of open communication, empathy, and flexible working arrangements to ensure inclusivity was highlighted. Attendees heard about the value of encouraging team members to take parental leave, based on personal experiences; as well as how organisations are increasingly implementing return-to-work schemes, coaching for new parents, and providing information on life-stage transitions such as menopause.
Elaine Fox, Head of Ireland & Head of Privacy Europe, TikTok.
The Role of Mentorship
The discussion also covered the impact of mentorship in shaping successful careers. The panel highlighted how valuable informal peer mentoring can be, while also acknowledging the challenges of making time to build professional networks. Research was referenced, suggesting that men are more likely to have informal mentors and sponsors than women, even in organisations with formal mentoring programs; reinforcing the need for senior leaders to take an active role in fostering mentorship and sponsorship opportunities.
Lisa Gallagher, General Counsel, An Post.
Michelle Cunningham, Head of Legal & Compliance, AIB Life.
The Key to Effective Leadership
When asked about the key to effective leadership, panellists shared varied perspectives, emphasising authenticity, effective communication, and empowering teams by leading by example. The importance of humility was also underscored, noting that leadership is not about titles or KPIs but about actions, behaviours, and attitudes. Building trust within a team was highlighted as essential, sometimes requiring prioritising the team’s needs over personal interests. Additionally, the conversation touched on leadership in the digital age, including the unique challenges of building and scaling legal teams remotely.
Katie da Gama, Executive Coach & former Managing Partner of Dublin office of DAC Beachcroft.
Accelerating Action for Women in Law
In closing, the panel addressed the theme of International Women’s Day 2025, ‘Accelerate Action.’ According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, full gender parity will not be achieved until 2158 — roughly five generations from now. The discussion emphasised several ways leaders can contribute to faster progress, including raising awareness, advocating for female colleagues, engaging in discussions, and ensuring transparency through gender pay gap reporting. There was also a strong call to continue conversations about the changing nature of work, to be clear about personal and organisational goals, and to actively drive meaningful change.
Other key suggestions included holding external partners accountable for diversity and inclusion efforts, offering mentorship, encouraging flexible workplace policies, and fostering professional networks to support women at all stages of their careers.
A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Commenting on the event, Emer O’Hora, Head of Legal at Johnson Hana, said: “At Johnson Hana, we are committed to fostering a legal industry that champions diversity, inclusivity, and professional growth. This discussion was a testament to the strength and resilience of women in leadership, and we’re incredibly grateful to our panellists for sharing their experiences so openly.”
The event provided an invaluable opportunity for attendees to engage in candid discussions, gain practical career advice, and celebrate the achievements of women in law. For more information about Johnson Hana and its commitment to supporting legal professionals, visit www.johnsonhana.com.