What are the key projects that you or your team have been involved in over the past 12 months?

The past twelve months at Squarespace have been transformative, with the legal team successfully navigating several major strategic initiatives. On the M&A front, we completed two significant transactions: Squarespace’s $6.9bn take-private investment and the sale of Tock, our restaurant reservation service, to American Express for over $400m.

They team led talent agreement negotiations with acclaimed director Martin Scorsese and actor Barry Keoghan for two major creative campaigns, which included securing prominent advertising slots during the Super Bowl. As Squarespace became the 4th largest domain registrar globally, we navigated complex commercial and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

A key focus has been managing the global regulatory landscape as we integrate generative AI more deeply into our product offerings, including the launch of Design Intelligence and Blueprint AI, while ensuring compliance with emerging AI regulations. Additionally, we’ve overseen the legal framework for launching Squarespace Payments and Squarespace Capital internationally, ensuring compliant market entry in the UK and Canada.

In collaboration with the IDA and our U.S. executive team, I was proud to announce a significant expansion of Squarespace’s presence in Ireland in 2025, creating 120 additional jobs and reinforcing our commitment to the Irish market.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

A particularly formative experience was my early career as a litigator at the Bar of Ireland, representing clients in high-profile criminal cases, significant commercial disputes, and public inquiries. Operating without the safety net of a large firm or in-house team, each situation demanded rapid, pragmatic, and creative problem-solving under immense pressure while managing difficult personalities and unforeseen challenges. This experience fundamentally shaped my approach and adaptability.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

The modern in-house counsel must be far more than a traditional lawyer. They must be commercially minded and strategic leaders first – with the ability to assess operational realities and appetite for risk of the business – legal knowledge is only an added perspective to a modern in-house counsel decision-making. The ability to communicate and influence a non-legal audience in a clear, concise, and practical way, truly defines a valuable in-house leader and permits them to become a trusted advisor.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I am passionate about creating meaningful and measurable impact for underserved communities through sustainable, efficient and transparent charitable work. I chair the advisory board of the African Water Fund, which installs water infrastructure across Zambia, providing clean drinking water to approximately 100,000 beneficiaries annually. We focus on schools, orphanages, and health posts, ensuring every donor contribution is exclusively used to create lasting, tangible change without administrative waste.