I'm going home!

Mary Hallissey meets Deirdre Tuohy, who took advantage of the Law Society’s Returners Programme to recharge her legal career. Since 2019, the programme has supported over 120 solicitors in returning to law – opening up a rich vein of talent for savvy law firms

Deirdre Tuohy, originally from Dublin, began her working life after school in marketing and sales with Prudential Life, where she specialised in technical sales, supporting brokers with high-net-worth clients and complex financial planning.

This sparked an interest in law, especially after working alongside a colleague who later became a solicitor. In her 30s, Deirdre took the brave decision to remortgage and return to education.

She enrolled in a part-time law degree while continuing her full-time work in the brokerage sector, advising clients on pensions, tax planning, and more.

Her studies were a significant balancing act, with evening lectures and occasional weekend courses in London, alongside the grind of a full working week. She started with a certificate to build confidence, before committing fully to the degree. 

I woke up this morning

“I love to study,” she says. “I’ve been fortunate with exams and just seem to manage to get them. The variety of people in that class, including older students and professionals from diverse backgrounds, made the experience even richer.

“I was also able to apply my years of work experience in marketing, sales, and financial services to my studies, which helped deepen my understanding of both law and business,” she reflects.

After three years of hard work, Deirdre graduated with first-class honours, the first such graduate from the Dublin School of Law.

“That was a huge personal win for me,” she says – one that strengthened her resolve to pursue a legal career.

Deirdre qualified as a solicitor in Ireland in 2004 and her career journey has been far from conventional. She has worked internationally in Britain, New Zealand, and Australia. She is also qualified at the New York Bar.

A stint specialising in international insurance law, and later moving into an in-house counsel role, reflects the breadth of her experience. 

A pivotal moment in her life was the death of her mother, which prompted a re-evaluation. Deirdre returned to Ireland and considered contracting work, a shift that shaped her outlook on work/life balance and helped her realise the importance of flexibility in her professional life.

A period as a legal contractor to The Irish Times’ HR department was followed by a move to Standard Life.

Hear me calling

She then heard about the Law Society Returners Programme. Though unsure whether she was a good fit, she went ahead and applied, and was assured by Law Society facilitator Shane Farrell that she would be a great addition.

Deirdre joined a bunch of people who hadn’t practised law for a while, but were keen to get back in the field.

“What struck me was that none of us had any confidence at the beginning, but we walked away after the first session with a sense of accomplishment,” she recalls.

“It very much gives you a rounded view and gets you thinking about how to get a platform for going back into practice. I found the course amazing, and Shane is very encouraging in terms of keeping people going, and getting a pitch for yourself.”

Her current role with Mitsubishi Electric, as part of William Fry's PeopleBridge, allows her to apply her compliance and regulatory knowledge, while working closely with legal counsel on specialised matters.

The flexibility of the role has allowed her to explore other interests, particularly in mediation. She is in the early stages of building her mediation business, DT Mediation, while benefiting from mentorship through her Local Enterprise Office.

“The way things have unfolded over the years feels a bit like a patchwork quilt at times, but when I look back, all those different pieces are coming together to create something really fulfilling and meaningful,” she says

 “One of the most rewarding parts of this phase has been the variety. Every day brings something new, and I’m constantly learning,” she says.

Mary Hallissey is a journalist at the Law Society Gazette.

I WANT TO KNOW

Career breaks, whether for childcare, eldercare, travel, or personal reasons, are a natural part of many professionals’ journeys. However, outdated perceptions about career gaps often prevent highly skilled individuals from re-entering the workforce.

The Law Society’s ‘Returners Programme’ seeks to dismantle these barriers and demonstrate the immense value that these solicitors can bring to law firms with their wealth of life experience and professional expertise.

Since its inception in 2019, the programme has supported over 120 solicitors. It focuses on rebuilding confidence, refreshing job-seeking skills, and facilitating networking with modern workplaces in mind.

Delivered online, the programme includes small-group sessions and one-on-one support. The programme spans five to six months, allowing participants to progress at a manageable pace.

I’D LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD

Returners bring a unique set of advantages:

• Diverse skills and experience – returners often have strong backgrounds in negotiation, project-management, and client relations. Many have honed leadership, adaptability, and critical thinking skills during personal challenges, making them invaluable assets to teams.
• Enriching team diversity and strengthening client connections – diverse life experiences not only enhance team dynamics, but also help build deeper connections with clients. Returners bring perspectives that have influence in both internal collaboration and client relationships.
• Innovation and fresh ideas – varied experiences allow returners to approach challenges creatively, offering fresh solutions and driving innovation.
• Commitment and passion – motivated by the desire to return after a career break, returners often bring renewed energy and dedication. They are typically seeking roles that offer flexibility, excelling in environments that allow them to contribute meaningfully.
• Quick adaptability – returners frequently surprise firms with how quickly they get up to speed, drawing on their resilience and problem-solving skills to adapt and thrive in new environments.

The legal profession has evolved with the rise of hybrid-work models, part-time roles, and in-house opportunities. The accessibility of upskilling resources also makes reintegration easier for returners.

Returners represent an untapped talent pool capable of filling skill gaps, enhancing diversity, and driving innovation. Don’t let that untapped source of talent go to waste! 

For information on the Returners Programme or additional solicitor supports, contact Shane Farrell at solicitorservices@lawsociety.ie.