Interview with CKT Scholarship Winner Laura Lengyel

This year’s Comyn Kelleher Tobin Scholarship, awarded to a student of University College Cork’s LL.M in Children’s Rights and Family Law was presented to Laura Lengyel. Laura spoke to CKT about her journey in law, her academic experiences, and her hopes for the future.

About yourself and your interests. 

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

Hi! I am Laura, originally from Budapest, Hungary. At the age of 9, I moved to Brussels, Belgium, and I was 18 when I moved to Cork, Ireland, to study law. I chose the BCL (Pathways) programme, which, included a year abroad in Prague, the Czech Republic. I graduated in October last year, and am now completing my Master’s degree, specialising in Children’s Rights and Family Law.

What inspired you to pursue the LL.M in Children’s Rights and Family Law?

I always knew I wanted to continue my academic journey beyond my bachelor’s degree so pursuing a Master’s degree felt like a natural choice for me. I have also long been passionate about working with families and children which made the LL.M in Children’s Rights and Family Law the perfect fit. I hoped that it would provide me with opportunities in a career centred around family law.

How did you first become interested in Children’s Rights and Family Law?

In my second year I took all available Family Law and Children’s Rights modules in the second year, which provided me with an insight into how law impacts families. I found the lecturers fascinating, and I was intrigued by the Catholic influence over family law in Ireland. During my year abroad in Prague, I came across the unique intersection of children’s rights and healthcare, further fuelling my passion for children’s rights.

Scholarship Experience

What was the application process like for the CKT Scholarship?

It was initially intimidating, as detailed answers about your past, current, and future achievements and goals were expected. However, once I drafted the answers, it was then a straightforward process.

How did you feel when you found out you won the scholarship?

I felt incredible. A huge wave of relief washed over me, followed by immense gratitude. This scholarship means so much to me; it’s not just financial support, but also a huge confidence boost and a confirmation that all my hard work is paying off.

What do you think set your application apart from others?

All of my classmates are incredible people coming from various backgrounds and experiences. What may have set me apart from them is my strong focus on a legal career. As such, throughout my application, I emphasised that I wish to qualify as a solicitor in Ireland.

Academic and Career Goals

What are your academic goals for the next few years?

In general, I wish to qualify as a solicitor practising in healthcare, family and children’s rights. Academically speaking, I want to continue contributing to research  at UCC and, if an opportunity arises, pursue a PhD.

How do you plan to use this scholarship to achieve your career aspirations?

I am forever grateful for the scholarship, it, boosted my confidence in my pursuit of a law career in Ireland. I also believe that receiving a scholarship from such a prestigious law firm will open other new, exciting opportunities for me, which may not have been possible. I have often felt overlooked when applying for jobs in law, due to not originally being from Ireland; however, this scholarship provides significant evidence of my dedication to Irish law.

What are some challenges you anticipate in your academic journey, and how do you plan to overcome them?

Currently, the most significant challenge that I face is time limitation. I have my accommodation in Cork until the end of July, and I need to finish my dissertation by then. I plan to use my time management skills, which I have gained through my studies, and create a strict schedule to work on my dissertation.

Personal Insights

Who has been your biggest influence or mentor in your academic journey?

It is hard to name just one. Both of my two principal lecturers, Louisa Crowley (Programme director) and Professor Conor O’Mahony, were incredible sources of support, and their careers are truly inspirational. However, having guest lectures such as Anne-Marie Sheridan or having an opportunity to chat with the current Managing Partner of CKT, Patrice O’Keeffe, greatly motivated me to pursue a career as a solicitor in Ireland.

What advice would you give to other students applying for scholarships like the CKT Scholarship?

Start as early as possible, brainstorm your ideas to answer the questions and write as many drafts as you need to. Be patient with yourself; it is often the case that it takes a couple of rounds to get the answer just right. Also, double-check that you have your documents in order and have sent them to the right address.

How do you balance your academic responsibilities with other aspects of your life?

I create a study plan and try to adhere to it as much as possible. The level of work has fluctuated quite a bit throughout the semesters; thus, I always create plans accordingly. I always make sure that I leave my Sundays free to focus on my hobbies, such as painting or reading a book. This has helped me start each week with a fresh mindset, and I could have quite productive Mondays. I found that if I start the week with a productive day, I feel more confident in adhering to my schedule. I have also returned to fencing, which has helped me to switch off during the week.

Future Plans

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I hope to have passed my remaining seven FE-1 exams and qualify as a solicitor specialising in family and children’s rights in Ireland, working for a law firm such as CKT. I also see myself staying connected to UCC’s Child Law Clinic, and Family Law Clinic and possibly even starting a PhD.

What impact do you hope to make in the field of children’s rights and family law?

I hope to contribute to the current academic debates existing in the family law and children’s rights field, such as whether the retrospective disclosure made by an adult about an abuse that happened when they were children should trigger the mandatory reporting obligations of the counsellors/therapists. Through publications, I hope to influence legal reforms and indirectly positively affect children’s and families’ rights in Ireland.

Are there any projects or initiatives you are particularly excited about right now?

I am particularly interested in starting my dissertation on respecting children’s anatomy in medical settings and getting a head start on the empirical research I plan to conduct with medical professionals. It would be valuable to have the medics’ perspective on the current law and to incorporate their opinions into the legal analysis and recommendations for reforms in this field