Watch: Irish lawyer who helped hockey team make history speaks to Mason Hayes & Curran

Nikki Evans, a former trainee at the Dublin-based firm and now with CMS in Hamburg, was one of five lawyers on the Irish team who made history this year.

Ms Evans talked about the experience in a video interview with Vanessa Byrne, partner and head of real estate at Mason Hayes & Curran.

Speaking about balancing work and sport, she told Ms Byrne: “It’s difficult at times, to be honest. It involves a lot of personal responsibility on me to make sure that I’m organised and I get everything done - I can’t be leaving things to the latest minute.

“I always enjoyed the fact that hockey gave me an out from work or studying, and vice versa. Throughout the years, I’ve always managed to do both, and successfully as well … and I couldn’t have done that though without the support of the Law Society, Mason Hayes & Curran and CMS, so I’m really appreciative of everything they’ve done for me along the way.”

Ms Evans also said athletes can be “a major asset to all businesses”, including law firms.

She explained: “As a sportsperson, there are so many traits and skills you learn in your sporting career that you can transfer into the workplace: leadership skills, management skills, performing under pressure, a good work ethic, and a positive attitude.”