Role: Director
Company: Tughans
Track Record:
What does your job entail?
I am a director in the Contracts and Technology Department at Tughans. We provide commercially focused legal advice on all types of commercial and technology arrangements, from distribution and agency agreements to website terms and conditions and OEM contracts.
I work with a wide range of private and public sector clients, at various stages of their business. For example, on a typical morning I might advise an early stage university spin out venture on ownership and exploitation of its intellectual property rights, and in the afternoon be working with a PLC negotiating a new manufacturing arrangement.
I specialise in particular in procurement, both from a public perspective in drafting tender and contract documents and running a tender exercise for government bodies and from a private angle in advising bidders on the terms and conditions they are being asked to deliver against.
Our dedicated and technology team provides commercially focused advice on all types of commercial and technology arrangements.
Is it 9-5?
Definitely not, the nature of the work requires a speedy turnaround to enable contracts to be negotiated and closed quickly, and I often work on contracts outside of Northern Ireland, requiring flexibility of working hours to discuss with commercial managers and lawyers in other time zones.
How did you get into this line of work?
I undertook my apprenticeship training with Tughans and, to be honest, never thought I would end up doing commercial work, certainly not in an IT focused environment.
I had always thought I would end up doing some form of litigation work, and be based in the courts.
However, during my training I worked in Tughans’ corporate department and was introduced to commercial contracts work.
I really enjoyed the challenge that this work brought with it — the variety of issues and different types of business and the flexibility needed to negotiate and close a deal that worked for each client.
I qualified in 2006 and was appointed to the Contracts and Technology Department.
Outline your career to date?
I have worked for Tughans since I qualified. When I first qualified, I undertook a short secondment to Lagan Technologies (now part of KANA Software) and worked in their legal department.
Looking back, aside from being a very enjoyable environment to work in, I believe this was one of the best training opportunities for someone working in my field.
Tell us about your qualifications and training?
I have an LLB (Hons) Degree in law from Queen’s University of Belfast, and completed my Certificate in Professional Legal Studies at Queen’s.
I undertake additional training each year, particularly in developments in procurement law and IT to maintain my specialism.
What qualities are required for your job — personal and professional?
You need to be a good communicator and ensure that your focus is on the client’s needs, not just what the law says about their position. When working on a high value or time sensitive deal, it’s essential to remember the pressures that your client is under, be patient and ensure that their best interests are reflected in the contract you are negotiating.
What are the biggest challenges and rewards of your work?
There are a number of challenges in the legal environment, but in procurement law, often one of the biggest challenges is keeping up to date with developments.
Northern Ireland in particular has been a focal point in the European Union for challenges by bidders. One of the biggest rewards of my job is helping a business grow and the individuals I work with seeing their aspirations achieved.