10 minutes with…Nadine Cannon

Welcome to “10 minutes with…”, a series where we sit down with BHSM team members to gain insights into their careers and experiences. In this instalment of “10 Minutes with…,” we had the pleasure of sitting down with Nadine Cannon, a driven and determined member of the BHSM team who has returned to the office after completing her PPC2 exams in Blackhall Place.

Through this series, we aim to showcase the diverse talents and personalities that make up our team and provide a glimpse into life at BHSM. Join us as we delve into Nadine’s experiences at Blackhall Place, her approach to work-life balance, and some nuggets of wisdom that she has learned along the way.

Nadine’s journey at BHSM began in 2018 when she embarked on her career as a Legal Intern right after college. Her passion for the legal field and unwavering commitment to personal growth saw her progress through the ranks to her upcoming qualification as a Solicitor in December 2023, joining our Corporate department.

Can you talk us through your career journey, from what you studied in college to now, on the verge of qualifying as a Solicitor?

I studied Economics, Politics and Law at DCU and graduated in 2018. I had initially decided to do this course because the economics side of things appealed to me, and thought I wanted to work in business after graduating. To my surprise, I fell in love with law, and by the time I was in my final year, I knew that would be the path for me. I started in BHSM as a Legal Intern in September 2018, pretty much straight away after graduating.

I continued in BHSM as a Legal Intern for two years until I finished my FE1s, after which I moved up to a Legal Executive and to now, a Trainee Solicitor. I have recently completed my PPC2 exams in Blackhall Place and will officially qualify as a Solicitor in December.

Congratulations on completing your PPC2 exams! How was your experience in Blackhall?

My time in Blackhall was demanding yet rewarding. It highlighted the importance of keeping on top of your workload, especially whilst balancing studying and working, but overall I found it to be an enjoyable experience. There is a huge social aspect to it, and it provides an excellent opportunity to build relationships with like-minded people who, down the line, will potentially be your colleague or could even be on the opposite end of a transaction. It was great to be surrounded by people with similar interests, all working toward the same goal.

What is it like to work in BHSM? Could you take us through the different aspects of the firm and what you enjoy?

As I mentioned, I joined BHSM straight from college as a Legal Intern, and naturally, I found that to be quite daunting, but the friendly, welcoming and personable environment of BHSM put me at ease straight away and allowed me to relax into my role.

I have been offered guidance and advice at every stage of my career, and I really believe that has allowed me to grow and develop at all stages of my training. I’ve been fortunate to have worked in all departments in the firm, and at all times, I have felt supported by great teams who ensured that I received top-quality training and practical experience.

“From the beginning, Trainees like myself are urged to get involved in every aspect of the firm, from social events like charity runs and pizza nights to meaningful client contributions. This encouragement definitely adds to the inclusive culture in BHSM because, straight away, you feel involved and respected.”

Life as a Trainee Solicitor sounds like it can be pretty demanding. How did you manage to balance work, study, and personal life?

“Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is a priority of mine. Of course, everyone is different, but for me, the key to balance is organisation.”

I’m a morning person, so during my exams, I picked up a good habit of getting an hour or two of study done in the office before beginning my day’s work. I’ve kept up this routine, and I try to get into the office an hour or two early, which has helped me to keep up with my interests and hobbies outside of work. I’m an Irish dance teacher, and I teach twice a week, so it’s important to me that I get time to prioritise this too.

Of course, from time to time, things pop up unexpectedly that may lead to longer days, but in general, I keep to a pretty good schedule. I also enjoy how working in law means that no week is the same, so it’s never mundane.

With your qualification as a Solicitor approaching in December, what areas of law are you most passionate about, and do you have any plans for specialising further in your career?

I have found the last few months quite challenging as I tried to decide what to qualify into. I was torn between qualifying into either Corporate or Litigation; I had spent extensive time in both teams and was equally as passionate about both areas, even though they are very different in nature. I spoke to Partners in both departments and my Mentor for guidance, and with their help, I eventually decided to qualify into corporate, and I am very excited about this decision.

Are there any other pieces of guidance that you have learned along the way from working in BHSM that have stuck with you?

On my first day in BHSM, I was told there’s no such thing as a stupid question, which has stuck with me throughout my career and studies. I remind myself that it’s better to ask a question that might be stupid than to make a mistake that could have been avoided.

The importance of knowing how to prioritise your workload and what to give precedence is a skill that I have picked up along the way. Good communication and attention to detail are crucial for this. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with work, especially in a busy firm like BHSM, but I have learned to lean on the people around me and to utilise the brilliant resources BHSM has.

As someone who has successfully navigated the path from Intern to Trainee Solicitor, what advice do you have for law students or aspiring legal professionals who hope to follow a similar career trajectory?

The best advice I could give someone hoping to follow a similar career path is to gain practical experience early on. Starting straight from college allowed me to determine whether I was suited for the role of a Solicitor rather than going into the FE1s and then deciding it wasn’t for me after going through the hardship of exams.

For someone further down the line, I would advise getting involved and making the most of each seat. The road to becoming a Solicitor is quite long but can be enjoyable and, in my opinion, most definitely worthwhile.

“I won’t brush over the fact that it is sometimes challenging and stressful. You may hit some bumps along the road but it is crucial not to let it get you down and throw you off course. Push through and remember everyone makes mistakes; the most important thing is to learn from your mistakes.”