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Julie Galbraith first began working at Eversheds Sutherland back in 2010 as a trainee solicitor. Now, fifteen years later, she is Head of their Employment Law Department advising clients on all aspects of the employment relationship, from recruitment to termination.
Growing up in Buncrana, Donegal before becoming a Derry Girl in her secondary school days, Julie began her legal studies in Trinity College Dublin shortly after her 18th birthday. Being the first in her family to consider a legal career meant that she felt a bit out of her depth for the first year of her degree. Julie tells us that working in employment law as a trainee was when it all began to click: “I just understood how the law applied to the area, and how I could advise on it. I moved on to rotations in our corporate and litigation practices, but I knew when I qualified that I wanted to work in employment law.”
Speaking on the rise of remote working in recent years, Julie tells us just how much it has transformed the employment market. “Remote working has provided so many opportunities, particularly for those with families and people who want to live outside the main cities in Ireland. Even with some multinationals seeking a return to office, hybrid working is here to stay. It’s simply not possible to get the educated and experienced talent needed in Ireland and require them to work from an office five days a week.”
“There will still be challenges to ensure all staff are engaged and get the same opportunities for progression regardless of if they are in office, hybrid or remote. But the further we move on from the pandemic, the better companies and employees are getting at managing both.”
As a mother of two daughters, Nóra (age 8) and Ailbhe (age 5), Julie is no stranger to balancing the demands of her professional responsibilities with her home life. “Life can be busy,” she admits. “In general, I try to be present. When I’m in work, I trust the supports I have in place to look after my children. I fully concentrate on my clients and the needs of my team. Equally, when I am at home, I put my phone away, get on the floor and make jigsaws. Sometimes the two overlap, but I try hard to concentrate on where I am in the moment.”
A woman who is extremely passionate about her career, it’s clear that Julie’s broad spectrum of interests has stood to her in the role, and she cannot express the importance of being curious, engaged, and interested enough. “I try to always ask questions. If I’m getting my hair done in a new place, I’ll end up in a conversation with the hairdresser on whether she rents the chair, is self-employed, or works for the salon.
“Because of the nature of my work, I have advised clients in almost every sector and industry. I currently have an extensive knowledge of helicopters, insurance contracts, retail clothing, whiskey manufacture and delivery drivers; purely from cases I have been working on in the last few weeks. I have always sought to keep my interests varied.”