Please provide a description of your practice.

Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect, Workers Compensation, Construction injuries & Premises Liability.

Why are you a member of the WBAI?

I became a Member of WBAI with a view to getting to know women in the legal community after I moved to the USA from Ireland. I have made strong friendships both professionally and personally from my involvement with WBAI and it was one of the smartest things I have done to get involved with WBAI all those years ago.

What do you think is the best way to empower women in law?

The best way to empower women is to ensure that they have a seat at the table. As Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg once said, “women belong in all places where decisions are being made”. As fellow female lawyers we must do our best to recognize areas and opportunities where we can invite other women to be a part of a discussion or movement and we must ensure others know the talent and wealth of information our female colleagues can bring to a discussion and/or decision. Your most trusted and best ally both professionally and personally is the person who is willing to put your name forward for an experience or an opportunity they know you will soar at. Women doing this for other women is a way empowered women will empower other women.

What are you most looking forward to in the following year, personally/professionally?

I was recently fortunate enough to be elected to the Executive Leadership of WBAI and took up my new role as Secretary of Membership this past June. I look forward to growing the membership of the WBAI as well as continuing to engage with current members by putting forth exciting and interesting membership programs and initiatives and revisiting some of our most successful membership events we have consistently provided over the years.

Tell us something interesting about you.

I grew up on an island with 500 people off the northwest coast of Ireland which is only accessible by boat. It is a little piece of heaven on earth, and I miss it every day!

Caroleann is a Partner at Coogan Gallagher. She became a member of WBAI to get to know women in the legal community after moving to the USA from Ireland.