Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
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Karen O'Driscoll

Karen O'Driscoll

Bandon,Cork

Summary

Charming professional with good people skills, strong personality and confidence dealing with high-level clientele. Works well under pressure, keeps calm and acts responsibly in case of emergencies. Focused on encouraging culture of impeccably high standards, flawless customer service and meaningful client/customer interaction.


Over entire career has acquired extensive experience in operational coordination, planning and support. Background working with confidential information and strict processes. Thrives under pressure in high tempo environment to meet tight deadlines.


Detail-focused professional with solid business acumen and problem-solving abilities. Adaptable and high organized, confidently navigates new technologies and systems.


Methodical with attention to detail and strong software skills. Experienced in office environments and adaptable to changing policies, procedures and requirements. Seeks opportunities to improve workflows and eliminate recurring problems. Personable Office Administrator with many years of experience prioritizing multiple tasks requiring prompt solutions in a professional legal situation.


Talented problem-solver managing workloads while greeting visitors, answering incoming phone calls and fulfilling staff members' requests. Professional and welcoming in creating upbeat work environment. High-energy with proven leadership, critical thinking and management abilities gained during 33 year career.



Overview

36
36
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Senior Counsel

Self Employed
Dublin, Co Dublin
10.2008 - Current
  • Developed detailed litigation strategies for each case.
  • Monitored legal changes and developments for client advice.
  • Presented strategic arguments based on key findings for successful client pleas.
  • Evaluated expert medical and actuarial reports to support case research and trial presentation.
  • Strategized arguments including drafting case openings to successfully present client positions.
  • Safeguarded client interests throughout legal proceedings.
  • Provided knowledgeable advice covering my areas of expertise which are employment law and and medical negligence.
  • ModeratedCarried out background research and preparatory work to present established client cases.
  • Moderated legal negotiations between clients and third parties.
  • Negotiated client settlements to limit costly court proceedings in legal disputes.
  • Used knowledge of previous court decisions and laws to enhance client positions.
  • Interviewed clients and witnesses to corroborate case evidence.
  • Supervised junior law professionals in case preparation
  • Engaged as a mediator to settle disputes in building contracts and land disputes.
  • Arbitrated under the Arbitration Acts to resolve disputes between parties referred on to avoid court intervention.
  • Chaired hearings for compensation in the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal from 2011 to date.
  • Chaired hearings in the Employment Appeals Tribunal as a Vice chairperson.
  • Drafted and delivered judgments in the award or compensation in bot the Hepatitis C Tribunal and the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
  • Advised proofs for instructing solicitors in preparation for trial

Junior Counsel

Self Employed
Cork, Cork County
10.1990 - 10.2008
  • Delivered lectures and presentations on employment law and medical law at conferences, workshops and seminars for the Law Society and various other bodies when requested..
  • Presented strategic arguments based on key findings for successful client pleas.
  • Launched official legal action to progress all types of cases assigned to me as a junior counsel.
  • Negotiated client settlements to limit costly court proceedings in legal disputes.
  • Supervised junior law professionals in establishing client caseloads.
  • Interviewed clients and witnesses to corroborate case evidence.
  • Carried out background research and preparatory work to present established client cases.
  • Used knowledge of previous court decisions and laws to enhance client positions.
  • Performed due diligence across preliminary legal research.
  • Monitored legal changes and developments for sound client advice.
  • Evaluated financial statements to support case research.
  • Strategized arguments to successfully present client positions.
  • Harnessed evidence from diverse sources to build robust client defenses.
  • Developed detailed litigation strategies for each case.
  • Safeguarded client interests throughout legal proceedings.
  • Moderated legal negotiations between clients and third parties.
  • Provided knowledgeable advice covering numerous legal matters.
  • Represented clients at initial court hearings, instructing barristers in escalated cases.

Tutor in Constitutional Law

University College Cork
Cork, Cork
10.1992 - 05.1993
  • Promoted academic success and enhanced learning experiences for students of varying capabilities.
  • Produced modules and adapted teaching resources for different learning styles.
  • Applied strong knowledge of Irish Constitutional Law to enhance attainment levels.
  • Tracked student progress through regular assessments, promptly addressing knowledge and skills gaps.
  • Helped students prepare for university exams.
  • Set clear targets and delivered feedback to achieve student goals.

Tutor in Constitutional Law

Trinity College
Dublin, Dublin
10.1990 - 06.1992
  • Promoted academic success and enhanced learning experiences for students of varying capabilities.
  • Produced and adapted teaching resources for different learning styles.
  • Maximized student retention by providing inclusive, stimulating learning experiences with positive results.
  • Applied strong knowledge of Irish Constitutional Law to enhance attainment levels.
  • Tracked student progress through regular assessments, promptly addressing knowledge and skills gaps.
  • Helped students prepare for university exams.
  • Set clear targets and delivered feedback to achieve student goals.

Legal Receptionist

P.J.O'Driscoll & Sons
73 South Mall, Cork
06.1987 - 08.1988
  • Warmly greeted visitors ascertaining with quiet respect the nature of business and directing to appropriate staff members.
  • Coordinated the post received daily to ensure correct assignment to the various recipients
  • Tracked and kept written records of all incoming calls.
  • Accurately and politely retrieved the details of clients seeking assistance from the office to ensure proper and efficient follow up
  • Filed court documents including distributing, storing or mailing same ensuring accuracy.
  • Identifying interruptions in the free flow of business necessary for the smooth operation of the office.
  • Displayed initiative when information was missing and worked towards the resolution of any issues arising at reception with tact and sensitivity.
  • Developed an appreciation of empathy for client and staff which included the strict maintenance of confidentiality.
  • Displayed a desire to assist at all times.

Education

Bachelor of Civil Law - Law

University College Cork
Cork
10.1985 - 05.1988

Barrister at Law - Law

The Honourable Society of the Kings Inns
Dublin, Ireland
10.1988 - 05.1990

Master of Letters (M.Litt.) - Law

Trinity College Dublin
Dublin
10.1990 - 05.1996

Certificate in Agriculture Level 5 and 6 - Agriculture

Teagasc Agricultural College
Clonakilty, County Cork
09.2021 - 04.2023

Certificate in Counselling Skills - Psychology

Munster Institute of Technology
Cork
09.2018 - 05.2019

Skills

  • Office/Business Management
  • Rapport building
  • Exceptional empathy with people
  • Arbitrating disputes
  • Active listening
  • Skilled mediator
  • Security understanding
  • Organised and reliable
  • Multi-line telephone skills
  • Incoming mail distribution
  • Flexible
  • Telephone skills
  • Post management
  • Punctual
  • Switchboard operation
  • Interpersonal communications
  • High efficiency
  • Business operations
  • Document control
  • Outgoing mail management
  • Switchboard operating
  • Professional and smart presentation
  • Meticulous and organised
  • Memorisation and recall

Languages

English
Fluent
French
Intermediate
German
Intermediate

Timeline

Certificate in Agriculture Level 5 and 6 - Agriculture

Teagasc Agricultural College
09.2021 - 04.2023

Certificate in Counselling Skills - Psychology

Munster Institute of Technology
09.2018 - 05.2019

Senior Counsel

Self Employed
10.2008 - Current

Tutor in Constitutional Law

University College Cork
10.1992 - 05.1993

Junior Counsel

Self Employed
10.1990 - 10.2008

Tutor in Constitutional Law

Trinity College
10.1990 - 06.1992

Master of Letters (M.Litt.) - Law

Trinity College Dublin
10.1990 - 05.1996

Barrister at Law - Law

The Honourable Society of the Kings Inns
10.1988 - 05.1990

Legal Receptionist

P.J.O'Driscoll & Sons
06.1987 - 08.1988

Bachelor of Civil Law - Law

University College Cork
10.1985 - 05.1988
Karen O'Driscoll