Head of Legal, Veterinary Council of Ireland

Aideen practises in the area of professional regulatory and disciplinary law and is Head of Legal at the Veterinary Council of Ireland. Aideen was awarded a Degree of Bachelor of Civil Law from UCD in 2003 and a LL.M in Commercial Law from UCD in 2004 and qualified as a solicitor in 2009. She has a Diploma in Judicial Skills and Decision Making (Law Society of Ireland) and holds various appointments as Chairperson of the Greyhound Racing Appeal Committee of Rásaíocht Con Éireann, a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland’s Fitness to Practise Committee, a Board Member of the Private Security Authority and a member of the Law Society’s In-house and Public Sector Committee.

Agricultural and taxation solicitor

Aisling Meehan is a Farmer, Solicitor and Chartered Tax Adviser. She trained in one of the top 5 commercial law firms in Dublin qualifying as a solicitor and chartered tax adviser before setting up her own firm in 2008. Her law firm specializes in agricultural law and tax advice and has a nationwide client base. She takes an active part in shaping agricultural legal and tax policy and was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 2011 awarded to future leaders in the Agricultural Industry. She is a former member of Council of the Law Society of Ireland and is current chair to the Law Society Gazette. She is regularly asked to speak on national television and radio on agricultural and rural matters and is solicitor to the Irish Farmers Journal.

Aisling is a qualified young trained farmer (Level 6 FETAC 2006) and farms in partnership with her husband Brian, also a young trained farmer (Level 6 FETAC 2018) in County Clare with their four young children.

Ann McGarry & Co’s principal Solicitor

Ann is the principal solicitor, a Trinity College Dublin law graduate with over 20 years of experience, serves as a committed Litigation Committee member at the Law Society of Ireland. Specializing in diverse legal areas, including Civil and Criminal Litigation, Employment Law, and more, she has a proven track record in complex, high-value litigation. From representing high-profile insurance companies to advocating for vulnerable individuals, she passionately protects and advances each client’s interests. Her approach involves careful analysis aligned with client objectives, employing strategic tactics for optimal outcomes.

Barrister, Arbitrator, Adjudicator and Mediator

Arran Dowling-Hussey is a Barrister, Arbitrator, Adjudicator and Mediator working from the Law Library, Dublin , 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square chambers in London and the Chambers of James Corbett KC in Jersey. He practices in a number of areas of law including but not limited to construction law, CPO law and arbitration/dispute resolution. Arran is the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Trustee for the Ireland Region from 2017-2024 and the junior vice-chair of the Adjudication Society in London. He regularly writes on ADR and also frequently delivers training in that area, and is a part time lecturer on the Robert Gordon University LL.M in construction and arbitration law. Arran is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at UCC.

Solicitor & Principal at Brian J McMullin Soclicitors

Brian McMullin has been a practicing Solicitor for 30 years and is the Principal of Brian J McMullin Solicitors (Incorporating VP McMullin Ballyshannon). The firm has offices in South Dublin, Killybegs and Ballyshannon. He is also on the Roll of Solicitors in N. Ireland and in England and Wales. He has a strong litigation and commercial law background and his firm also provides specialist legal services to a number of public bodies. He is actively involved in commercial dispute resolution and is also an experienced personal injury plaintiff and defence litigator.

He has been involved in the regulation of the Solicitors profession since 2008, initially as a member of the Regulation of Practice Committee and he also chaired a division of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for ten years from 2012. He is an accredited
Arbitrator and Mediator and is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is also an active member of various Law Society Committees including the Litigation Committee and the ADR Committee and he is vice chair of the Money Laundering Reporting Committee.

He holds Diplomas in Judicial Skills and Decision Making, International Commercial Arbitration, Insolvency and Corporate Restructuring and in Property and Taxation . He also holds a Certificate in Business and Human Rights from the Council of Europe. He was appointed by the Council of the Law Society of Ireland in 2020 as chair of the Legal Services Excellence Standard Steering Committee having previously served as a member of the original Working Group. In 2024 he was re-elected to the Council of the Law Society of Ireland. Brian and his firm were finalists at the Irish Law Awards 2019 and 2021.

In-house solicitor at University College Dublin

David Mullins in-house solicitor at University College Dublin, Ireland’s largest and most renowned university for academic excellence, adds an impressive dimension to his profile as an accredited international arbitrator, bringing a wealth of legal experience to the esteemed Law Awards Judging Panel.

With a Master of Law degree and H.Dip in Arbitration from UCD, Mr. Mullins not only possesses a comprehensive understanding of various legal aspects but is also deeply committed to upholding principles of justice and legal excellence. His extensive legal journey encompasses diverse roles, including expertise in contract law, litigation, arbitration, property and IP law, privacy law, and legal counsel. Notably, he is recognised for his unwavering dedication to the legal community and education, actively shaping the legal landscape in his capacity as the University Solicitor.

Going beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Mullins’ commitment to justice, fairness, equality, and ongoing improvement in the legal field is evident in his community outreach and legal advocacy efforts.

As a distinguished member of the Law Awards Judging Panel, David Mullins demonstrates unwavering dedication to recognising legal excellence. His discerning judgment and profound understanding of legal intricacies not only uphold the highest standards for the awards but also play a significant role in ensuring a fair evaluation of nominees. Through these contributions, he actively fosters a culture of excellence within the legal community, underscoring his commitment to advancing the principles of justice and legal excellence.

Legal Counsel to Ibec

Eamonn Kennedy is Legal Counsel to Ibec, Ireland’s leading lobby group working to help businesses grow and prosper. He is a former Director of Legal Affairs for RTÉ. Eamonn qualified as a solicitor in 1991 having trained with Matheson. Following a short period with the European Commission in Brussels, he practised in the area of general commercial law with A & L Goodbody. He is a regular speaker on the topic of in-house legal practice.

Author, Director and Retired Barrister

Henry Murdoch, author, director and retired barrister, is the original author of “Murdoch’s Dictionary of Irish Law“, now in its 6 th edition with Dr Brian Hunt, solicitor, as “Murdoch and Hunt’s Dictionary of Irish Law“, and the online product “Murdoch and Hunt’s Encyclopedia of Irish Law”, both published by Bloomsbury Professional. Originally a chartered engineer, Henry was called to the Irish bar in 1966. He is a former member of Tenancy Tribunals, Mental Health Tribunals, and chairman of the disciplinary process for pharmacists.

He is currently a board member of the National Rehabilitation Hospital and its Foundation having been chairman of both for many years. In 2014 he wrote a memoir of his teenage years in County Clare – “Remembering Killaloe” – published by The Liffey Press. His most recent book “Apartment Living in Ireland – A Practical Handbook for Owners, Owners Management Companies and Managing Agents” was published in 2022 by Lonsdale Law Publishing.

Solicitor and Partner, JRAP O’Meara Solicitors LLP

Juli Rea is a Solicitor and Partner in the commercial law firm of JRAP O’Meara Solicitors LLP specialising in the area of Banking and Property law. Juli is a Past President of the Southern Law Association and is a current Council member. Juli is former member of the Council of the Law Society of Ireland and a current member of both its Regulation of Practise Committee and its Money Laundering Reporting Sub- Committee.

Juli currently mentors under the Law Societies Women in Leadership Mentoring programme. She has also been a participant in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion and Women in Leadership promotional campaigns for the Law Society of Ireland and has been a member of a Safeguarding Committee for a national charity.

Juli qualified as a Solicitor in 1995 and, having trained with a sole practitioner, has worked in a variety of firms of different sizes and specialisations since that time. Juli lectures and teaches extensively for the Law Society Law School, is part of the External Academic panel for the School of Law, University College Cork and has also taught at a number of higher-level colleges in the Munster Region.

Juli has past experience acting as a judge for a number of skills-based competitions held by both Law Society of Ireland Law School and University College Cork and has judged the Irish Law Awards for the past number of years. She is very much looking forward to being involved again with the judging of this year’s Irish Law Awards.

Managing Partner of Grace Solicitors LLP

Laurence Grace is the Managing Partner of Grace Solicitors LLP incorporating Gerald Meaney with offices in Kilkenny, Callan and Graiguenamanagh. He has been in practise for over 25 years advising clients in the South East. He has been involved for the past number of years in the Law Society developing the new Practice Management Standard designed to assist firms with the management of their firms.

Practising Solicitor and Principal of M. McLoughlin &Co. Solicitors

Michelle McLoughlin is a practising solicitor and principal of M. McLoughlin &Co. in Sligo. She has over 20 years’ experience in business law, corporate and company law, data protection, employment law, intellectual property, succession planning and taxation. Michelle has particular experience in corporate law and taxation. As well as being a solicitor she is a tax consultant and registered trade mark agent. Much of her practise involves corporate law and taxation consultancy for other law firms. She is also a knowledge lawyer for A&L Goodbody LLP.

Michelle teaches extensively at the Law School of the Law Society of Ireland on the Professional Practice Courses and she also delivers many CPD seminars.

Joint Managing Partner, Bourke, Carrigg & Loftus

Rosemarie Loftus is a practising Solicitor, having enrolled with the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland in 1991, she is now Junior Vice President of the Law Society. She currently practices in the North West as a joint Managing Partner with the legal firm Bourke, Carrigg & Loftus, Teeling Street, Ballina, County Mayo, which is a busy general practice with four Solicitors and fourteen associated staff. Rosemarie has practised and continues to practise in many areas of law but has particular interests in the areas of Commercial Law and Commercial Litigation, Personal Injuries Litigation, Probate, Family Law, Landlord & Tenant Law and Property and Conveyancing Law.

Rosemarie is an Accredited Mediator and is a Member of Mediation Solutions North West. Her Qualifications and Membership are:- Bachelor of Civil Law B.C.L(University College Dublin) 1987. Qualified as a Solicitor 1991 – Incorporated Law Society of Ireland, Dublin, current elected Counsel Member of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland and serving on several Committees of the Law Society of Ireland including Conveyancing, Litigation, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Regulatory Committees, Finance Committee, Investment Committee and several Task Forces. Former President of the Mayo Solicitors’ Bar Association. Member of Chamber of Commerce and current Council Member of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland and Accredited Mediator.

Partner, H.J. Ward & Co. Solicitors & Past President of the Law Society

Stuart Gilhooly is a partner and senior counsel in H J Ward & Co, Solicitors. He is a litigation solicitor practising mainly in the area of personal injuries. He was President of the Law Society of Ireland in 2017 and was President of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association in 2011. He has chaired many of the Law Society’s committees, including those of Finance, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Education and Litigation.

He is a member of the member of the Court Services Board and was the Law Society nominee for the Personal Injuries Commission and the Administration of Civil Justice Review. He is a frequent contributor in the written and broadcast media in the area of Personal Injuries