“I have a genuine interest in my colleagues and in working together in a respectful but challenging way to drive maximum value and outputs for all.”
Emma Mcdonnell
Describe your role and general skill set…
I am Head of Legal & Compliance and have held senior roles both within private practice and in-house. My skill set has widened over the course of my career, and I’ve been lucky to work in some very exciting and fast-moving sectors and environments. As such, I have learned to be an adaptable and resilient lawyer, with a focused, commercial and strategic outlook. I am considered and collaborative but have also learned how and when to be more assertive in taking calculated risk and advising accordingly.
What do you enjoy about your job?
Working with great people! I have a genuine interest in my colleagues and in working together in a respectful but challenging way to drive maximum value and outputs for all. I love putting my legal and strategic skills into new, innovative initiatives and processes and seeing the results and satisfaction that comes with it for everyone.
What attracted you to the firm?
The genuine interest in, and commitment to, its people and creating an open, yet fully supportive, environment in which to work and flourish. We really put our ethos into action, and it shows. Michael is a powerhouse who leads by example and is genuinely inspiring to work with and be around.
Describe Carbon in a maximum of three words:
Innovative. Genuine. Ambitious.
Where do you envisage the firm in 5 years’ time?
I don’t tend to dwell too much on future plans as I really want to give my everything to the here and now. I am fully committed to my evolving role at Carbon and am very excited for the journey we are on. I have no doubt we are continuously getting bigger and better and carving out an exceptional and nuanced business and culture within legal services.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
I worked in a glass factory, randomly! It really made me appreciate the value of hard work and the value of respect and positive interaction with colleagues. I’ll never look at glass in the same way again!
What have been the highlights of your career to date? (can be non-carbon)
Having the opportunity to complete my training contract in a driven and entrepreneurial spirited business – GoCompare, which was led by a phenomenal and supportive female CEO who was passionate about empowerment and well-being.
I really learned how to be a much more commercially focused and innovative solicitor by ensuring I was familiar with, and spent time with, all areas of the business to ensure my legal and commercial advice was not only sound, but also strengthened our commercial partnerships. It also honed my regulatory awareness and understanding.
How do you unwind outside of work?
With my family – my husband and my young son. I am content just hanging out with them in the garden or watching TV and having dinner together every evening. I also love reading and am always in between reading two or three books at a time.
I also love watching rugby with a glass of wine and am an avid Ireland and Connacht rugby supporter.
Where is your favourite place to visit?
Ireland, always! (slightly biased).
What is your favourite Book, movie or TV Show?
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and his books in general.
Favourite Music, Artist or Band?
REM, U2 and The Rolling Stones.
If you could gain a new skill or superpower, what would you choose?
A superpower- I would make two of myself!
Do you have a bucket list place you’d love to visit?
Bora Bora.
Tell us an interesting or little-known fact about yourself:
I used to play a traditional Irish sport called Camogie and represented my County at senior levels. I am the very proud owner of three All-Ireland medals but struggle to hit the ball properly now when ‘playing’ with my nieces.
