City event aims to inspire young solicitors

This Thursday, the Society of Young Solicitors (SYS) are hosting an evening for young solicitors to support them in navigating such a high pressure career.

The event at 6pm on July 30, in the Sky Bar, Clancy’s, Cork city, will focus on ‘Confidence, Profile and Beating Imposter Syndrome’.

This free ticketed event is open to all, from established associates looking to build their personal brand to newly qualified solicitors at the beginning of their professional journey.

The speakers will touch on empowerment, conviction, self-development, and growing your own brand.

This topic is likely to really hit home for newly-qualified solicitors, but that said, the SYS have stated that colleagues at all stages are warmly welcome to join.

To say that the stage will be met with a selection of inspiring speakers, is simply an understatement.

The SYS are thrilled to platform four ambitious, successful, and motivated professionals who are excelling in their respective fields.

Norma Sheahan, Sonia O’Sullivan, Hilary O’Shea, and Aoife Rafferty are set to take to the stage as guest speakers for the event, sharing their experiences, insights and expertise with attendees.

Their diverse backgrounds and achievements promise an engaging and thought-provoking evening.

Norma Sheahan

A comedian, actor, writer, podcaster and all-round creative force, Sheahan is one of Ireland’s most versatile entertainers. She brings infectious energy, honesty, and humour to everything she does.

Her career spans the stage, with The Vagina Monologues and her sell-out turn as Shirley Valentine at the Gaiety and screen credits on Kneecap, Bodkin, Boy and Bridget & Eamon. She is also a winner of Celebrity Ireland’s Fittest Family.

Sonia O'Sullivan

In the world of athletics, Cobh star Sonia O’ Sullivan is an Olympic silver medallist, three-time world champion, and one of the greatest athletes Ireland has ever produced.

She competed in four Olympic Games and held world records across multiple distances.

Since retiring from competition, she has become a familiar voice on RTÉ Sport, a best-selling author, and an ambassador for active living.

She brings a rare combination of elite-level resilience and hard-won self-belief to everything she does.

Hilary O'Shea

Hilary O’Shea is a commercial lawyer turned entrepreneur. She is co-founder and Chief Corporate Officer of Otonomee, a fully remote, 600-strong global business built from the ground up.

With more than 20 years’ experience across two of Ireland’s top law firms, an in-house counsel role in Paris, and senior business consultancy, she has forged a career that is anything but conventional.

A 2025 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Emerging Finalist, Hilary is living proof that backing yourself and carving your own path can take you further than you ever imagined.

Aoife Rafferty is an Irish rally driver from Craughwell, Co. Galway, who has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in international motorsport.

She made her rallying debut in 2021 and quickly established herself on the European stage, competing with the support of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.

Since then, she has become a regular competitor in international rally championships and is widely recognised for breaking barriers for women in motorsport.

These women will engage in an insightful panel discussion and a Q&A over the course of the evening.

The aim of the event is to spark a candid conversation about building confidence, developing your professional profile, and tackling imposter syndrome head-on so that hopefully, the audience of young solicitors listening can learn and grow from their reflections.

Furthermore, when buying your ticket, you can submit any questions you may have for the excellent speakers on the panel.

The evening promises to be engaging, insightful and empowering.

Finger food and beverages will also be provided on the night and one hour of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) will be available covering confidence, resilience, self-motivation, leadership, and professional development.

This event is sponsored by RDJ LLP, J.W. O’Donovan LLP, and Nixon McQuade whose support has made this event possible.

There will also be a raffle in aid of the SYS charity partner, Samaritans, with fantastic prizes which have been kindly donated.

Some eye-catching prizes include a pendant from Keanes Jewellers and a voucher from the venue itself, Clancy’s.

To enter the raffle, you can donate to Samaritans using the following link:https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/societyofyoungsolicitors1

If this event is something you’d be interested in, you can buy your free tickets on Eventbrite and if there’s someone you know who might like to come along, be sure to spread the word!

Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/society-of-young-solicitors-confidence-profile-beating-imposter-syndrome-tickets-1993615354191