Kate is a graduate of Law (LL.B) from Trinity College Dublin and was awarded a scholarship to undertake postgraduate studies (LL.M) at New York University (NYU).

Before training as a Solicitor, Kate worked as a Judicial Assistant in the High Court and also undertook a public interest law fellowship with FLAC in conjunction with the University of Washington. During her time at NYU, Kate participated in a Housing Law Externship, assisting the Legal Aid Society in the representation of tenants in New York City Housing Court.

Kate previously assisted with the work of Mercy Law Resource Centre both as a MLRC summer intern and later as a pro bono secondee from Arthur Cox.