William Fry

My name is Jane Barrett. I am an Associate in the Employment & Benefits department, (specialising in pensions and share incentives) in William Fry (“WF”). I went to NUIG (BCL) and TCD (LLM). I trained in WF and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2016 just after qualifying as a solicitor.  I am a member of the WF “Diversifry” Committee, more specifically the sub-committee on “access” which includes access issues for those with disabilities. This focused my mind on what could be done to improve visibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in the firm, but also more broadly in the legal sector. I became aware that there were networks in the U.K. for lawyers with disabilities and had the idea to create a similar network in Ireland. I hope that the disAbility Legal Network will be a valuable network for people with disabilities that work in the legal sector. I have already really enjoyed making connections with the other members of the Steering Committee and look forward to making many more!

A & L Goodbody

My name is Caoimhe Grogan. I was born with a rare inherited retinal degeneration called Leber Congenital Amaurosis. I have a BCL (International) from University College Cork where I got the amazing opportunity to study in Philadelphia for a year. I am now a trainee solicitor with A&L Goodbody LLP (“ALG”). When I started working at ALG, I joined the Disability Sub-Committee which forms part of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. I have loved collaborating with my colleagues to increase awareness and accessibility across our workplace. I was absolutely delighted when Jane Barrett, our chairperson, set up the disAbility Legal Network in 2021. I am the Vice-chairperson of the committee and am excited to use this platform to achieve greater inclusivity, awareness and accessibility for people with disabilities in the legal profession in Ireland.

Matheson

Daragh Bogan is Matheson’s Impactful Business Programme Manager and coordinates the firm’s D&I, CSR, Environmental Sustainability and Arts projects, initiatives and activities.

Between 2011 and 2019, Daragh was the Chair of RLS-UK, a UK charity which offers advice and support to people living with the neurological disorder / hidden disability of Restless Legs Syndrome (Willis Ekbom Disease). In 2019, he was elected as President of the European Alliance for RLS (EARLS), a non-profit, independent alliance of national patient organisations from across Europe. He is also Secretary of a charity which supports marginalised and disadvantaged communities in Galway.