Awards

Former Law Society president Maura Derivan has been presented with the inaugural Trophée De L'Égalité in Paris in recognition of her work to advance gender equality, diversity and inclusion in the Irish solicitors' profession. Ms Derivan received the award at the recent Summit o

Whitney Moore managing partner Emma Richmond has been shortlisted for CEO of the Year at the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026. Ms Richmond, recently featured in Irish Legal News as our Lawyer of the Month for March 2026, has spent her entire legal career of more than 25 years with the

Northern Ireland firm Carson McDowell has been shortlisted for the top legal prize at the British Business Awards 2026.

Matheson has been honoured with two accolades at this year’s Public Sector Magazine Excellence in Business Awards. The firm took home Excellence in Legal Services and Excellence in Public Energy Support Services Award – Top Energy Team.

Phoenix Law partner Darragh Mackin has been recognised with an award from Trinity College Dublin's student branch of FLAC.

Jarleth Heneghan, a partner in William Fry’s projects and construction practice, has been recognised at the Lexology Client Choice Awards in London for a third year running. Mr Heneghan has been named the exclusive 2026 Client Choice Award winner for Construction in Ireland – the third c

A&L Goodbody has won two awards at the prestigious National Diversity & Inclusion Awards held in Dublin.

Three lawyers from north and south of the border have been recognised at the European Legal Awards 2025. Olivia O'Kane, David O'Malley and James Stewart were among those recognised at the awards ceremony in Rome at the end of November.

FLAC has recognised dozens of volunteers and human rights defenders with its annual Golden Pin awards. The awards are presented every year as part of FLAC's annual justice lecture, delivered last week by renowned human rights lawyer and academic Professor Colm Ó Cinnéide.

Irish human rights activist Brian Dooley has been recognised with the University of Oslo's annual human rights award. Mr Dooley, a senior advisor to Washington DC-based NGO Human Rights First, was named winner in September and this month travelled to Oslo to collect the award.

Matheson's collaboration with the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) on a neurodivergent-friendly music camp has been recognised with an award. The firm won the Disability Advocacy Programme of the Year, Ireland award at the Legal Benchmarking Group Social Impact Awards 2025.

Carlow woman Eileen O'Leary, well known for working alongside the late solicitor Ronald J. Clery, has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC is to be recognised by the Irish Women Lawyers Association (IWLA) as Woman Lawyer of the Year. The award will be presented to Ms Ní Ghrálaigh at the association's annual gala, taking place at the Law Society of Ireland on 13 December.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC has been named International Woman of the Year by Irish Tatler. The magazine said it was "honoured to celebrate an Irish-born human rights lawyer whose career blends courtroom excellence with fearless public advocacy for the world’s most vulnerable".

President Michael D. Higgins has been honoured by the Law Society for his exceptional contribution to advancing justice, promoting thoughtful legal reform, and cultivating a society grounded in fairness, inclusion, and equality. The inaugural Medal of Excellence was presented to President Higgins on