Irish Lawyer Thrives in Madrid, Navigating Arbitration Challenges

An Irish lawyer found success in Madrid, building a career in international arbitration despite lacking fluency in Spanish when he first arrived. Daragh Brehony embraced the cultural shift and now enjoys both professional achievements and a vibrant social life in his adopted city.

A Decade of Growth

Over a decade ago, Daragh Brehony moved to Madrid to further his arbitration career. He had never visited Spain before starting his job in 2014. Brehony came armed with law degrees and an ambition to succeed internationally. He aimed for a three or four-year stay.

The initial year was tough. Madrid, while a lively international city, presented language and cultural obstacles. He had not fully anticipated them. However, Brehony adapted to both the work and life. He now plans to buy an apartment.

The welcoming attitude of the Spanish people greatly influenced his decision to stay. He notes it’s easy to integrate into Spanish social groups. “Spanish people are incredibly warm and open,” he states.

Career Evolution

Brehony joined Pérez-Llorca, a major law firm in Madrid, in 2019. He now works in international arbitration, representing companies in construction, engineering, and shareholder disputes. A typical case involves disputes between contractors and project owners.

International arbitration offers advantages, like flexible procedures and confidentiality, especially for international disagreements. This framework provides a more neutral setting, according to Brehony, when parties hail from different countries.

“Spanish people are incredibly hard working and do put in long work hours as well. They just tend to do things later. Work starts later and lunches are long but then people finish later in the evening. Everything is put back a few hours.”

—Daragh Brehony

Brehony lives a short walk from his office, enjoying Madrid’s outdoor culture. He has found it safe, friendly, and sociable. According to the United Nations, approximately 15% of the world’s population lives in urban areas (UN 2024).

Cultural Insights

The work culture in Spain, as Brehony observes, defies stereotypes. “Spanish people are incredibly hard working,” he says, although they may keep later hours. He speaks fluent Spanish, but his name continues to cause amusement.

“Daragh is common and known at home, but in Spain it always causes confusion. Spanish speakers pronounce every letter, so the silent gh really throws them. Every new introduction turns into a mini-phonetics lesson, with me repeating my name four or five times,” he notes. Most people just shorten it to ‘Darag’ with a hard ‘g’, and he embraces it.