Welcome Back to the Office, Cara O’Sullivan – Our Trainee Solicitor (NI & ROI)
We’re delighted to welcome Cara O’Sullivan, our Trainee Solicitor, back to the office after completing her time at the Institute.
Cara graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 2023, began her training contract with the firm in September 2024, and attended the Institute from January 2025 to December 2025 as part of her professional training. While she enjoyed the experience and everything it offered, Cara is very happy to return to the office – back into the pace of practice, supporting clients, and progressing cases across both jurisdictions.
Cara’s Institute Year: Building Strong Foundations Across Key Practice Areas
During her time at the Institute, Cara completed modules covering core subjects that directly support the work she is now doing day-to-day in practice. These included:
- Property
- Criminal
- Family
- Private Client
- Advocacy
- Business
- Tort
These modules strengthened Cara’s legal knowledge across a wide range of areas – combining black-letter law with practical application, drafting, analysis, and professional skills. That breadth is especially valuable for a trainee developing into a solicitor with the ability to handle varied instructions and contribute meaningfully across a busy practice.
Cara also acted as Class Representative and assisted in organising events and fundraisers including the recent IPLS Winter Gala which raised over £2,000 for Action Mental Health and NI Hospice.
All-Ireland Mediation Competition: Learning and Connecting Across the Island
One of the highlights of Cara’s Institute year was taking part in the All-Ireland Mediation Competition. The competition brought together teams from across the island, with participants competing against – and learning alongside- teams from all over Ireland.
Mediation is a skill that sits at the heart of modern dispute resolution: it demands clear thinking under pressure, strong communication, practical negotiation, and the ability to identify outcomes that serve clients’ interests. Competing in an all-island setting gave Cara the opportunity to sharpen those skills in a realistic, fast-moving environment – while also building professional connections across the island.
That all-Ireland element is particularly fitting, as Cara’s developing area of practice will be cross-jurisdictional work across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The competition wasn’t just an academic experience; it mirrored the collaborative, relationship-driven nature of practice across Ireland – strengthening connections and learning that will support Cara’s career as her work continues to develop on an all-island basis.
Back in Practice: Training Under Head Partner Terry Lacey
Cara continues her training under her master, Terry Lacey, Head Partner of the firm. Since returning, she has been involved in a broad mix of Northern Ireland (NI) and Republic of Ireland (ROI) matters, gaining experience on both plaintiff and defence cases – an excellent foundation for building rounded judgment and practical case strategy.
As part of her trainee role, Cara is regularly involved in:
- Attending court across the island of Ireland
- Drafting proceedings and preparing legal documentation
- Attending client consultations and supporting case planning
- Assisting with file progression and litigation preparation across NI and ROI cases
Looking Ahead: Qualification in September 2026
Cara is now focused on the next milestone in her career. She is due to qualify in September 2026, when she will be added to the Roll of Solicitors for Northern Ireland.
We’re proud of how Cara has progressed so far- from Queen’s Law graduate, to starting her training contract in 2024, to completing a busy and successful Institute year. We’re delighted to have her back in the office and look forward to supporting her as she continues to build her all-Ireland practice.
