‘We think it’s going to have a massive global impact’, Adrian Kelly says on the Airsynergy business. ‘We’re now doubling power output in wind turbines. We’ve found the business case...

One of Ireland’s leading public sector lawyers, Aideen O’Reilly is a respected expert in her field, having spoken publicly on areas such as fraud and asset recovery. During the course...

Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board has handled multiple significant strategic transactions during the four years Alan Daly has headed its legal function. These have included Carrington Power’s 2012 award-winning refinancing. The...

Heading NTMA’s legal, control and compliance functions, US- and Ireland-qualified Andrew O’Flanagan has been at the epicentre of the agency’s efforts to turn around the nation’s credit reputation following the...

As head of legal at Bord na Móna, Ireland’s leading environmentally-responsible integrated utility service provider, Anna-Marie Curry leads a team of lawyers providing national and international legal support. On a...

Senior legal counsel at Horizon Pharma since May 2015, Anne-Marie Dempsey is praised highly for her superior understanding of the pharmaceutical industry. Formerly Shire Pharma’s pioneer lawyer outside the UK...

‘I have been very privileged to have been a heart of key elements to the recovery of the Irish economy’, Antoine Mac Donncha says. ‘I am enormously proud of the...

As Diageo’s regional counsel, Becky Crawley’s role extends far beyond the purely legal. Crawley prides herself on her strategic business planning and in 2014 was a finalist of the Diageo...

Throughout over a decade at Accenture, Brian Connolly has taken on a variety of managerial roles and led the Irish legal function through a period of substantial growth in the...

With over 20 years’ experience at Smurfit Kappa, and 15 as its GC, sources praise Brian Marshall’s deep commercial understanding and his close integration with the business. A member of...

A former Commission for Energy Regulation analyst, Claire Madden is a respected industry expert, known for her flawless technical knowledge and ability to ‘see the bigger picture’. Heading all legal...

‘I’m working with people who are very academically gifted in their field of expertise’, Cameron Goodwin says. ‘It is very refreshing and satisfying to be part of a global team...

Construction specialist Caoive Collins, Project Management Group’s general counsel, prides himself on being a facilitator to capital project delivery. PM Group is currently operating across 35 countries worldwide, spanning a...

With almost 25 years’ in-house experience, Caroline Bergin has been involved in some of the nation’s most significant infrastructure transactions. Over four years in her previous role as NTR’s general...

During her five-year tenure as general counsel for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), Caroline Dee-Brown has been a key decision maker in the newly founded company. ComReg is divided into...

As an executive director of Dublin-based aircraft leasing giant SMBC Aviation Capital, Catharine Ennis supported one of the largest deals in Irish corporate history. This occurred in 2012 when Japan’s...

With over 10 years’ international financial services experience, Catherine May has supported leading European institutions through periods of seismic regulatory change. In her current role heading all legal and company...

In just two years, Cian Crosbie has established comprehensive legal, compliance and company secretarial functions for Valentia’s global business. Heading a large cross-functional team he is involved at all stages...

During her time at the iconic Mexican brand, Clare Egan has supported CEMEX through its delisting and the sale of large components of the business across several jurisdictions. Her fitness...

As Pioneer Investments’ European and Latin American legal head, Irish Barrister and New York qualified Attorney, Colm Callaly has shown diligence and talent in a variety of areas, alongside a...

With particular strength in international leasing, Colman McCabe heads all legal support across Hewlett-Packard International Bank’s EMEA business, taking a central role in executive decision-making. A former Lincolns Solicitors partner,...

Possibly Ireland’s youngest GC, McLoughlin was passionate about his sector from an early stage in his career, and moved to CEMEX soon after qualifying. ‘I’ve always had a big interest...

A strong communicator with ‘commercial nous’, Darren McMahon has exceptional funds and asset management experience. After almost 20 years in-house, he has impressive industry credentials, having worked at the likes...

As GC to Ireland’s leading life and pensions’ company and Irish Law Times’ editor for 15 years, David Boyle is a respected and high profile figure in the national legal...

Chairing the new American Chamber of Commerce Ireland’s general counsel forum, David Dobbyn is respected across Ireland’s in-house legal community for his ‘progressive’ and ‘dynamic’ approach. Global technology business Xilinx...

David Hodnett has held the position of general counsel at The Commission for Aviation Regulation since May 2014. His position on the senior management team gives him a key input...

A well-known and highly respected corporate counsel, David Johnston has held senior legal roles across a variety of industries. As group company secretary, he provides broad compliance and legal support...

David McMunn is highly respected in Ireland’s media and digital sectors, with an impressive track record across a range of in-house roles. As UTV’s first in-house counsel, McMunn is in...

‘It is all about deal delivery, innovation, lateral thinking’. As the first in-house lawyer to join BNP Parabis Ireland, Davina Saint built a highly regarded seven-lawyer function, supporting Dublin, London,...

Deirdre Nagle has been central to some of EirGrid’s most significant regional projects of recent years, through her management of the wayleave process. During her five years with the national...

During her seven years as Citibank’s European legal head, Deirdre Pepper led some of the most sophisticated transactions in the region. Joining the company in the wake of the global...

A US-qualified lawyer, Denise Farnsworth has exceptional industry experience, following a decade and a half at technology giant, Microsoft, and six years in Apple’s legal department. Arriving at Microsoft in...

Market-leading contract research organisation ICON operates across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. A well-known figure in Irish legal circles, sources particularly highlight Diarmaid Cunningham’s role in developing a...

‘Simply one of the best IP lawyers working in-house’, Didier Patry is recommended by sources for his role in billion-dollar cross-border transactions. ‘I have learned to be a business enabler’,...

In the novel role of executive counsel, Donal Moriarty covers all legal, company secretarial and public relations concerns in executive-level decision-making. With such diverse legal and commercial concerns under his...

A former chief state solicitor and veteran public sector lawyer, Donall King’s rare litigation experience includes complex judicial reviews and European and Irish constitutional issues. A respected voice in the...

Eadaoin Rock’s recent promotion to GC follows five years as the function’s deputy head. A leading regulatory specialist in Ireland’s financial services sector, Rock has helped the national bank navigate...

‘The aircraft leasing industry is truly global’, Ed Riley says, adding: ‘Avolon has a “can-do” culture and is continually looking to innovate wherever possible’. Widely respected across Ireland’s legal community,...

Formerly Vodafone Ireland’s legal head, Edward Traynor joined Paddy Power, the biggest gambling operator in the Ireland market, in 2015. Praised for his exceptional knowledge of Ireland’s telecommunications sector, Traynor...

Irish financial services specialist FEXCO handles some of the most sophisticated transactions emanating from the local market, spanning Europe, Asia Pacific, the US and the Middle East. ‘An exemplary in-house...

During a short tenure as PwC’s Ireland GC and leadership team member, Elizabeth Davis has already been instrumental to the management of a variety of commercial and risk issues. With...

Emma Kearney heads all Ireland legal support and plays a central role in EMEA operations for Yahoo, the internet industry giant. With an ever-increasing legal and geographic remit, she has...

Heading international legal support for paddypower.com – Ireland’s largest ecommerce business – Emmet O’Grady supports a highly regulated industry within the constantly-evolving online arena. During four years in the role,...

Heading up global leader Western Union’s Irish legal and compliance functions, Feidhlimidh Wrafter stands apart in his exceptional regulatory knowledge and cross-border experience. Sources particularly note his development of European-wide...

Heading all national and international legal support for Ireland’s primary banking institution, Gabrielle Ryan is one of the nation’s leading financial services lawyers. She has played a central role in...

New York-licensed Irish lawyer Gavin Denn, currently general counsel of Invention Investment Ireland, is known for his extensive international IP expertise. After over 15 years working in-house experience, he is...

Providing innovative technological solutions within the travel industry, OpenJaw Technologies’ client portfolio includes British Airways, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, TravelSky and AIRMILES. An accomplished IP lawyer and trade mark...

A seasoned in-house lawyer, Helen stands apart from her peers in her capacity to build exceptional in-house functions, according to sources. Managing around 150 lawyers at the Ireland Big Four...

‘One principle challenge is to effectively engage with journalists and editorial staff to ensure their hard work translates into published content’, Hugh Hannigan says. ‘It’s a very stimulating role, and...

An Post’s highly respected legal head, Hugh O’Reilly has supported the state-owned postal provider during a transformational period of its history. He is praised both for his change management capabilities...

A pre-eminent aviation lawyer, Jean O’Driscoll has over 10 years’ in-house experience and a reputation which proceeds her in the market. With previous roles as Greenstone Aviation’s GC and RBS...

Jenny Fisher has deep experience in procurement and infrastructure across the health, education, waste and roads sectors in both Ireland and the UK. Her expertise have been put to good...

‘I’ve been here six and a half years and I’m still learning’, says Jim Harper, Ireland GC to one of the world’s largest insurers. ‘Being able to provide technical legal...

One of Ireland’s most widely known and respected in-house counsel, Joanne Ross has headed national utility Bord Gais Energy since 2011. With previous roles at Coca-Cola and Lagan Technologies, Ross...

During his eight-year tenure as legal head to Ireland’s largest health insurer, Joe May has supported the state-owned body through considerable organisational change. Praised for his handling of ongoing European...

With broad private practice experience gained in the City, followed by over ten years in-house in Ireland’s increasingly regulated financial services sector, John Elliott has a well-rounded and practised background...

Managing 25 lawyers across 12 jurisdictions, John O’Halloran heads all legal support across Western and Central European business operations for the US’s largest insurer. Sources point to his role in significant...

Barclays Insurance’s legal and compliance head, PCF-approved Laura Doherty wears several hats at once, as the company’s money laundering reporting officer, company secretary and data protection officer. Her wide remit gives...

‘Linda has the ability remove barriers when it comes to the development of new products or routes to new markets’, in the view of one source. ‘She gives relevant commercial...

‘The biggest challenge we face, and continue to face, is the speed with which the industry is changing’, Margaret Ahearn says. ‘Financial solutions fit for today may be archaic next...

‘I have a very dynamic and wide-ranging role’ Margaret Smith, CarTrawler’s GC says. ‘I’m constantly expanding the boundaries of my experience’. Valued for her efficiency and ‘common sense’ approach, Margaret...

Marie Daly, IBEC’s legal and regulatory head affairs, helped shape one of the most significant recent laws affecting Ireland’s business community. As a member of the Company Law Review Group,...

Marie Griffin has been involved in some of AIG’s most pivotal cross-border transactions of recent years, including the ground-breaking merger into the UK, which was the first of its kind...

‘An industry expert’ ‘combining excellent legal and regulatory knowledge with a clear understanding of the business’, Mark Hughes ‘commands respect and admiration’. With ‘exceptional’ understanding of Ireland’s telecommunications industry, Hughes...

As acting global general counsel, Marlene Connolly played a pivotal role in Websense’s billion-dollar merger with Raytheon Cyber Products completed in 2015. Connolly previously established the cyber defence leader’s Irish...

His ability to protect the client and work through all the different issues is very impressive and a rare quality these days’, says one private practice admirer. ‘We have been...

‘In-house legal departments have become a lot more popular in this jurisdiction over the past few years – it’s a growth industry in Ireland’. Just two years into his first...

Michelle Feely’s wide-ranging experience in IP, media and entertainment law, make her invaluable to Telegael’s global business. As head of business and legal affairs, she oversees all legal and commercial...

With broad commercial experience gained across Ireland and Australia, Michelle Geraghty is a veteran in-house lawyer with impressive transactional and organisational experience. During her time at Ion Trading, she supported...

As regional legal head and part of LinkedIn’s EMEA leadership team, Natalia Faura is valued by colleagues and outside counsel for her energy, pragmatism and commitment. ‘Being an entrepreneurial and...

‘Forward-thinking’ and ‘a goal-oriented team player’, Nikki Conran has impressed private practice lawyers and in-house colleagues alike throughout a three-decade in-house career. With past senior roles at the likes of...

Noel Gaughran has drawn attention both inside and outside his organisation with his handling of high-stakes litigation since the 2008 crash. In the view of some sources, Gaughran has been...

The highly praised Orla Dunlea, Endo Pharmaceuticals’ international legal counsel and company secretary, has impressed peers and clients alike with her navigation of major global deals. With a legal career...

For over five years, Orla Gillen has been an important legal voice in 30-year-old aviation company, AWAS, headquartered in Dublin. With specialist industry knowledge in legal and business terms, Gillen...

‘There was a time when businesses constantly bought external legal advice’, Orla Joyce says. ‘I think Irish companies are now increasingly recognising the value of an in-house counsel. It’s not...

‘In terms of challenges, it’s about being able to deal with the issues which come across your desk – for example crisis management’, Padraic Roche says. ‘As head of legal...

Heading all legal and company secretarial functions at Dublin Airport Authority, Patricia O’Shea has supported the Authority in significant litigation and takes a central role in strategic planning. Sources particularly...

Dubbed by some as among Ireland’s most high-powered and ‘resilient’ corporate counsel, Patrick Wilkinson faced considerable challenges early in his in-house career. A year after joining Barings’ Ireland from private...

A qualified barrister, Paul Dalton heads all legal and compliance support at New Ireland Assurance Company; Ireland’s first wholly-owned life assurance business, with €15bn worth of funds currently under management....

In a relatively short space of time at Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, Peter Gallagher has dealt with situations which were previously unheard of, in the jurisdiction. Sources particularly point to...

During his six-year tenure at the national telecommunications leader Peter McCarthy has led many of its defining projects and transactions. Most recently, he negotiated Virgin Media (then UPC)’s ground-breaking agreement...

‘Facebook has a relatively young and dynamic workforce, which is refreshing after working in a law firm, where there’s more of a hierarchical structure’. One of the founding members of...

Richard O’Sullivan is praised by industry and private practice sources, for his innovative approach in the face of austerity. ‘When I started in my role as Head of Legal Services...

With sterling financial services experience across legal and compliance, Robert Owens works closely with Danske Bank’s Danish head office in cross-border initiatives. He has also led negotiations with some of...

‘A skilful and pragmatic lawyer’, Rory Sullivan excels in complex global IP transactions, and has lead significant joint ventures at both Pfizer and 3Com. ‘I really enjoy the breadth of...

Leading an 18-strong team, Rory Williams is facilitating one of the most significant changes to Ireland’s public utilities in recent times. Newly-created government body Ervia brings Gas Networks Ireland and...

During her ten-year tenure at Aircastle, where she is SVP-legal, company director Sarah Clarkin has been instrumental in the company’s exponential growth to manage total assets of $6.1bn with a...

Previously director of commercial legal services at telecommunications provider Eircom, Sarah Gallagher took up her current role at Tesco Ireland in August 2012. Her place on the leadership team puts...

A highly experienced legal and compliance professional, Seán Hooper has implemented comprehensive compliance and risk management frameworks at leading global financial services providers. With employers Santander and Airvod, he is...

Dairygold Co-Operative Society is Ireland’s largest farmer-owned dairy business. As general counsel, Sinead Gillen oversees its multitudinous operations across Ireland, the UK, France, Germany and Spain. The privately-held company generates...

As EY’s Ireland GC, Suzanne Tucker is at the heart of its national strategic planning and is widely praised for her contribution to its corporate governance framework. The big four...

With considerable experience both in-house and in private practice, Syl O’Byrne established both Carne Groups’ and Daiwa Securities’ (now Sumitomo Mitsui) legal functions from scratch. He was also Credit Suisse’s...

A unique mobile top-up concept, home-grown start-up ding* (formerly ezetop) has taken off globally in a short space of time. Its founder Mark Roden was named EY’s Entrepreneur of the...

At the helm of all legal and corporate services, Sylvia McNeece has led the award-winning legal function at the Pensions Authority for over a decade and plays a central in...

Rabobank’s award-winning Ireland legal head, Tara Glynn has been particularly recognised for her litigation expertise. Heading legal and company secretarial, Glynn has made significant changes to internal processes, in efforts...

With almost 20 years’ aviation experience, Thomas Schmid has a long track record in major cross-border leasing transactions. In his current role, he leads legal and corporate affairs and also...

With an illustrious career spanning private practice and in-house, the ‘ambidextrous’ Tom Maher has been GC at internationally listed public companies, and partner at major corporate firms. ‘A leading expert...

Tom O’Brien joined multinational life sciences investment business Brandon Point Industries in September 2015. As GC and executive director, he plays a central role in the senior management team and...

Providing all Facebook’s privacy support outside the US, Yvonne Cunnane is at the cutting edge of a niche area in a state of flux. Legal challenge to Facebook’s European privacy...