“Sorry for keeping you Judge; I just needed a good cry in the bathroom” ……, “I am not going to make that meeting now, my fatigue is fighting hard for my attention and winning” …., “I need to work from home today, these hormone injections have me feeling like I might destroy something, or someone”. Just some examples of the things working women would NEVER say, because they just power through!

How many times have you wished you could have just crawled back under the duvet and pressed pause on whatever it is that you must undertake that day? Or just wanted to be honest with colleagues as to the real reason why you do not feel like working but didn’t feel like you could? The guilt at letting team members or clients down, the worry of being judged or considered incapable in your role or the reality that your ‘to do’ list is just too long?

Regardless the reason for feeling that way the chances are you are probably not alone in this. Grief, relationship breakdowns, sick loved ones, financial stress, personal struggles, fertility journeys, confirmed illnesses - whatever it is that is weighing heavy on your day will naturally impact your energy and desire for work. Top it all off with a stressful workday and a side of pain and fluctuating hormones and hello risk of burnout or mental health struggles.

Over 50 per cent of solicitors in Ireland are female, with a large percentage of women also working at the Bar. Throw in the support staff in firms, members of the Judiciary and the Courts Service staff and you have a massive amount of people in the legal world who are potentially trying to navigate hormonal impacts on top of their day job. Female hormones change as time goes by and they can have a significant impact on the day to day of work life, understanding them is crucial.

Lawyer life, let’s face it, is not without stress or overwhelm. Solicitor suicide is real and mental health matters and natural things like perimenopause and menopause can alter people’s mood and emotions quite dramatically. Education on symptoms, why you or a colleague might feel a certain way and how to manage them is extremely important. The same applies for people on fertility journeys or with a chronic illness such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, PMDD or PMOS where hormones and stress can wreak havoc on the body. The recent survey undertaken by the Menopause Hub in partnership with Core found that 76 per cent of women suffered with menstrual health issues in work.

The good news is that on September 16 you have a wonderful opportunity to get a grasp on all of this at the inaugural Pearts Solicitor Socials – Cocktails & Crucial Conversations at Bureau Offices, Dublin 7.

Join colleagues and friends for an enlightening and intimate evening with expert speakers Audrey Ward, Loretta Dignam, Antoinnette Moriarty and Deirdre Courtney while also earning 1 FREE Hour of CPD and a chance to win a stay in Wineport Lodge and other spot prizes on the night.

Please note, this is not a ‘lawyer only’ event and men are very welcome too!

WHEN: Wednesday 16th September 2026

WHERE: BUREAU Offices - Mary’s Abbey, North City, Dublin, D07 HX28

AGENDA:

17.30-18.30: Registration, Nibble & Natter

18.30-20.00: Panel Discussion & Q&A

For more information and to secure your spot see here.