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Julie Galbraith: ‘Say yes to everything, then learn how to say no’
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Here, we sit down with Eversheds Sutherland’s Head of Employment and Labour Law Julie Galbraith to learn more about the role, how she prioritises work-life balance, and some of the lessons that have helped shape her career to date.
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.”
Blending the corporate with the commercial with lots of litigation thrown in, Julie explains that employment law involves complex legislation, regulations and cases, so having a range of complementing skillsets on a team is essential. So what qualities are required to be successful in this field?
“Being able to analyse and interpret laws, contractual terms, and case details is crucial,” she explains. “It is also really important to be able to communicate well with clear drafting both in email and in formal letters and submissions. Attention to detail is so important — it is our job to spot all of those details to protect our clients. Finally, it is important to advise with empathy. It is often the case that we support clients in stressful and personal situations.”
Working with both traditional Irish businesses and multinational companies, Julie often supports companies in finding solutions to a breakdown in the employment relationship, which may arise out of misconduct, poor performance, or an interpersonal disagreement. A highlight of the role, for Julie, is supporting new companies coming into Ireland, hiring their early employees, drafting contracts, policies and benefit documents, and then watching their business grow.
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.”
So, what advice would she give to young women aspiring to enter the field of law, particularly employment law?
“Say yes to everything, then learn how to say no. In the early years of your career, jump at all the opportunities and apply for all the jobs; you never know which one will lead you to the next stage of your career.
“Work hard, find the aspects that you enjoy more than others and gravitate to every opening within that field. Don’t worry too much about only getting experience in a legal environment, take a part-time job in any area that interests you. Working in retail or hospitality is an excellent learning ground for coping with customer and client demands, multi-tasking and working as part of a team.”
Photography by Kenneth O’Halloran
If you have an interest in finding out more about a firm whose people live its values, are purposeful, purpose-led, and support their communities discover more at Eversheds Sutherland’s website.
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