Team size: Eight

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

We advise the business on a wide variety of issues. In recent times we have been involved in significant matters, including the applicability of EY sanctions, regulatory inspections, litigation and claims management and restructuring projects.

In general terms, the team is responsible for advice on contract negotiation; data protection; ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering legislation in Ireland; employee relations (including management of employee related litigation); partnership matters (including partner admission and creation of new partnerships); real property (including negotiation of and advising on property transactions); procurement (supporting and advising at each stage of the process); marketing (provision of legal support to the marketing team); governance and structure (including provision of legal advice on all aspects of applicable law and firm and corporate governance, restructuring and re-organisation); and acquisition of new businesses.

As a general counsel, how do you anticipate and prepare for potential legal and regulatory challenges that may arise, particularly in light of emerging technologies and evolving business landscapes?

The pace and scale of growth (in terms of EY’s size and its business offering) has presented challenges and opportunities for the legal team. The continuous evolution of the business and its service offerings means that the legal team needs to anticipate issues and prepare for new challenges in an ever changing and expanding business environment.

As general counsel, I am a member of the wider leadership team of the organisation, and therefore, close to the decision making and business processes. Consultation at an early stage is important with any new change, and being a trusted adviser to the business, means that consultation is a natural part of the decision-making process of the organisation.

How do you see the general counsel role evolving in Ireland over the next five-ten years?

The role of general counsel is ever evolving and will continue to do so. Flexibility and having a business focus are key skills which will endure, even where business and law changes. New business priorities are sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and of course, AI. These present challenges to the business, and the skills that a general counsel can bring in helping organisations to navigate that change will always be in demand.