Lawyer Of The Month

The adoption this week of the UK’s controversial Safety of Rwanda Bill generated ripples (or rather waves) of concern that reached far beyond Britain’s shores. One of those most concerned was Michael O’Flaherty, the Irish human rights lawyer who has just been appointed Council of E

Joanna Robinson is used to long and demanding journeys. The partner at Pinsent Masons in Belfast is already preparing for the Chicago Marathon in October, having completed her first such event in Dublin last year. On the promise, she rather ruefully recalls that it was going to be a very flat route

George Kennedy readily admits that he has never been attracted by the courtroom cut and thrust of criminal law. Recruited by Squire Patton Boggs as a partner in the firm’s global corporate practice when it opened its Dublin office last year, what he really appreciates about corporate law is, h

As mergers, acquisitions and strategic representation arrangements have altered the Irish legal scene, the Big Four accountants haven’t been slow to see the opportunity to transform themselves from audit firms to multidisciplinary professional services operations. Having made their first foray

The cost-of-living crisis, a protracted war in Ukraine and a vicious conflict in the Middle East are among the emergencies that have meant a stressful year for many of us. Some upcoming respite over the Christmas and New Year break will be welcome. Sadly, though, that won’t be the case for eve

Time is something of a scarce commodity for solicitor Susan Martin. Like the principal of any independent law firm, she has been dealing with the inescapable practicalities of life that kick in at this time of year — a list of demands that were somewhat reduced when she recently completed her

Fiona McNulty clearly thrives on being “involved”. And she positively embraces the opportunity to participate in a range of activities that both extend beyond and complement her work as a senior associate at Mason Hayes & Curran LLP by Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock. “I enjoy

Not all that’s useful in a legal career is learned at university. In Kevin Winters’ case, his concern about injustice began as a 10-year-old boy working during school holidays on building sites in areas such as Twinbrook in republican west Belfast and Dee Street in loyalist Ballymacarret

Is artificial intelligence (AI) an unprecedented opportunity or an existential threat to humanity? Should we revel in its seemingly limitless possibilities, or should there be a global pause called on its development? And, importantly, how will it impact businesses in every sector? These are among t

Many of us have found that our priorities in life have changed recently, not least as a result of the pandemic and its consequences. But Lucy Boyle, a partner at Tormeys Solicitors LLP in Athlone who specialises in personal injury litigation and medical negligence, has long been acutely aware of the

When former League of Ireland footballer Michael Sheehan was awarded €505,000 in damages at the High Court last month, it was an unusual case on many levels. Mr Sheehan claimed that he suffered injuries after he was pepper-sprayed and assaulted by members of An Garda Síochána. He

Darren Lalor is one of life’s enthusiasts — and that approach certainly extends to his work as a criminal barrister. “It’s a job that enables me to make a real difference to peoples’ lives, people who often have very little and who need committed lawyers to stand u

The Synthesis Report published three weeks ago by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) came as no surprise to many — including Dublin lawyer Rose Wall — when it stressed that climate-related impacts are hitting the world much more quickly than previou

It’s not the conventional opening to an Irish Legal News interview. Aonghus Kelly is speaking via Zoom from Kyiv and has recently emerged from the air raid shelter beneath his building. “I’m sitting in my kitchen and just got out of the shelter a little while ago as we’ve had

As a colleague once observed to her, Sinéad Corcoran is rather more than just a lawyer. “I think by that he meant the skill set that I've brought to the organisation — and it’s what any good lawyer brings to their client,” she says. “You're much more than simply