Sinéad Curtin

Ms Curtin is the legal knowledge manager in the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO), where she manages the office’s knowledge management and legal research services.

She has worked in the legal information sector for over 20 years, starting out in the Law Library in Dublin, followed by the law firm McCann FitzGerald, before moving to her current role in 2021.

She is the first person from the government library sector to lead BIALL since it was founded in 1969.

Paying tribute to her predecessor, Claire Mazer, Ms Curtin said: “Claire has ably led the association with poise and grace over the past year and has set a high standard. I look forward to working with her as she steps into the role of immediate past president.”

She continued: “As legal practitioners in the public and private sector and future practitioners in the academic sector all grapple with the use of AI, law librarians are ideally placed to lead on this latest wave of legal tech.

“We have long been critical intermediaries between users and technology, with decades of experience amongst BIALL members in the assessment, procurement and informed use of legal tech tools. We share this knowledge at our annual conference and through other forums which BIALL membership facilitates.

“AI is just one example of how BIALL members support each other. BIALL has been a vital support network for me since I entered the legal information profession.

“It is truly an honour to lead the association in the year ahead.”

Ms Mazer said: “I am pleased to be handing over the presidential mantle to Sinéad. Always ready with a smile and a co-operative attitude, I look forward to working further with her.

“She has already made great inroads during her time as PE with the BIALL constitutional documents as well as continuing the worthy ILBF relationship.

“I would like to thank Sinéad for all the support she has given me while I was president, and I wish her a very successful presidential year ahead.”