Emer Gilvarry, formerly of Mason Hayes & Curran
WLG President 2013–2015
How did you first get involved with WLG, and what led you to take on a leadership position?
I first got involved with WLG when the senior partner at my firm asked me to join him at the Copenhagen meeting. It demonstrated our firm's commitment to ensuring succession and deep commitment. It started a wonderful journey of about 20 years. The leadership role came when I was asked to join the board in about 2011. It was an honour to do so and I think a leadership role in a firm or in the wider WLG is a privilege and a pleasure.
What is your advice to lawyers, particularly female ones, who want to get more involved with or take on a leadership position within the WLG network?
My advice to any lawyer who wants to participate in WLG is to put your hand up. The members need lawyers at their firms to grow a deep connection across the network at every level. There are lots of opportunities for member firms to connect whether it be subject matter expertise in legal areas, expertise in management issues, experience as a trainee / junior associate, female lead initiative, diversity lead initiatives, etc. My own experience is that the WLG Staff Team are so welcoming of any new ideas and help to grow those acorns into oak trees. The WLG is not about semi-annual conferences. There is so much more that can be done to deepen the relationships across firms. Lawyers should also think about concentrating on relationships close to their own jurisdictions or in jurisdictions where there is lots of trade and business between the countries. I saw some very fine collaboration among the Asian firms when I was involved. If lawyers want to get involved then they should also champion and promote other WLG members and do their best to ensure referrals make their way to WLG members while always having the client's interests in mind. Making referrals to each other in the best interests of the client is what underpins the WLG. Lawyers should see WLG as an extension of their own firm and work towards promoting both.
As we reflect upon our growth during our 35th anniversary, tell us about the changes you've seen in the network during the years you have been involved.
The biggest change is scale. There are so many more members than when I began my involvement in 1999. The staff team is also very professional and has become a true executive function for the group.