Alumni Spotlight
Returning colleagues, Olivia Long (Head of Tax Policy) and Alice Duffy (Employment Group Partner) reflect on their respective career journeys and their recent returns to Matheson
“My advice now is more practical, business-oriented, and solutions-driven. These experiences have made me a better lawyer."
2024 saw Olivia Long, Head of Tax Policy, and Alice Duffy, Employment Partner return to Matheson. Though representing clients in different legal climates, the reasons for their return share some common threads.
For Alice and Olivia, their first experiences at Matheson proved pivotal in shaping their legal careers.
Alice joined Matheson as an Associate, after training and qualifying in the UK. "My years at Matheson were most formative", she recalls, highlighting how that time sharpened her technical and practical legal skills while providing exposure to Ireland's legal landscape and the chance to work with a broad base of multinational clients.
Olivia began her career at Matheson through its traineeship programme. "Those early years were invaluable for my legal development", she shares. "I was exposed to diverse areas of law and developed a new way of thinking. Open, collaborative discussion was encouraged - challenging points of view and testing your own in a healthy, constructive environment. That mindset shaped how I approach legal work today".
Both Alice and Olivia made the choice to return to Matheson in 2024, citing the firm's people and culture as key factors in their decisions.
After working abroad in France, Olivia's decision to return home naturally led her back to Matheson. "The people and the culture were deciding factors", she says. "I understand Matheson's culture and I fit within it." The quality of clients and the interesting, varied work were also strong draws.
For Alice, the firm's focus on people and the strength of its Employment, Pensions and Benefits team were compelling. "The team's expertise, pragmatism and collaborative approach are second to none", she notes.
Both Alice and Olivia bring fresh perspectives and skills from their experiences outside Matheson.
Olivia's tenure at the OECD, for instance, gave her invaluable insights into policy-making. "I've developed a greater appreciation for what drives decision-making and how policy is shaped. It's a different mindset and skillset, which I now bring into my role as Head of Tax Policy", she explains.
Alice highlights the strategic acumen she honed during her time in-house. "In that role, you learn to get straight to the point of what the business needs. My advice now is more practical, business-oriented, and solutions-driven. These experiences have made me a better lawyer".
"Careers are not linear. Follow your interests, and opportunities will present themselves"
Looking back, both Alice and Olivia recall standout moments from their time at Matheson.
Olivia recounts a light-hearted memory from her traineeship. "I shared an office with a partner who had a unique opportunity to buy an Aer Lingus luggage tractor in an auction and we jokingly put it up for sale on the staff noticeboard. We never laughed so much, and were flooded with enquiries - including from people hoping to use their One for All vouchers to buy it!"
For Alice, a career-defining moment was her first High Court experience. "Defending a client in a case that hinged on a novel aspect of employment law - and succeeding - was incredibly rewarding. Being part of shaping legal precedent is exciting."
When asked about advice for those entering the legal profession in 2025, both Alice and Olivia stress the importance of keeping an open mind.
"Careers are not linear", they agree. "You never know where your path will take you, so stay curious and embrace new opportunities. Follow your interests, and opportunities will present themselves."
Whether navigating the complexities of employment law or shaping tax policy, Alice and Olivia's journeys demonstrate the power of being adaptable, collaboration and a commitment to growth - values deeply embedded in Matheson's culture.
“Open, collaborative discussion was encouraged - challenging points of view and testing your own in a healthy, constructive environment. That mindset shaped how I approach legal work today".