See below for additional CPD hours for participation in complimentary online training

*This Law Society Skillnet discount is applicable to all practicing solicitors working in the private sector. Price includes tea/coffee breaks, hot lunch and evening networking drinks.

Aim and Objectives
The aim and objectives of the day are to provide an opportunity for practitioners to update their knowledge in areas of law relevant to general practice. The aim is to offer practitioners a practical update in relevant areas from experienced practitioners and expert speakers. There will also be an opportunity to network with colleagues over a hot lunch and a drinks reception.

Topics and Issues

• LSRA complaints process
• Succession planning
• Cyber security – top tips for solicitors
• Law Society support services including mental health support
• Assisted Decision Making Legislation: a practical guide 
• Litigation update
• Conveyancing update
• Discussion panel:
  • Practice areas of growth
  • Opportunities for younger members
  • In-house options for solicitors

Learning Outcomes
A delegate who attends this event will gain knowledge and understanding of areas of practice management, professional development and regulatory matters relevant for their day-to-day work as a legal practitioner.

Chairpersons
Mairead Doyle, President Clare Bar Association, Partner Cashin Clancy Solicitors, Ennis, Co Clare
Julianne Kiely, President Limerick Bar Association, Partner Kiely McCarthy Solicitors, Limerick

Speakers
Aine Hynes SC, Partner, St John Solicitors
Áine is a partner in public and administrative law in St.John Solicitors.  Áine has been a member of the Council of the Law Society and many of its committees (which include Litigation, Regulation of Practice and Education) since 2007 and served as President of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association (2016 - 2017). She was appointed by Minister Lynch to the Expert Steering Group on the Review of the Mental Health Act 2001 (2012-2015) and was a member of the Regional Advisory Board of the National Advocacy Service (2013-2017). In May 2022, she was appointed by the Minister for Justice to the Civil Legal Aid Review Group. Áine currently chairs the Law Society Mental Health Law and Capacity Taskforce and has made extensive submissions to the department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on appropriate amendments to the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. Her novel submissions on transitional arrangements were accepted by the department, thus ensuring a more orderly transition from wardship to the new legal capacity framework. Áine was one of the first solicitors appointed Senior Counsel in October 2020, following a historic move permitting solicitors to be granted patents of precedence.

Louise Merrigan, Kerin, Hickman and O’Donnell Solicitors, Ennis, County Clare
Louise is a general practice solicitor working primarily in the areas of civil litigation covering personal injuries, employment law, family law, debt collection and residential tenancies disputes.   After completing her studies in NUI Galway (as it was then known) Louise worked for AIB for a number of years before returning to her studies at Kings Inns where she qualified as a Barrister in 2008. Louise practiced on the South-Western Circuit for 12 years before converting her qualification from that of Barrister to Solicitor in 2020. Since becoming a Solicitor, Louise has worked in Kerin, Hickman and O’Donnell Solicitors, Ennis, County Clare and enhanced her qualifications by obtaining an Advanced Diploma in Applied Employment Law.

Michael O’Connor, Practice Regulation, Law Society of Ireland

Mike O’Reilly, O’Reilly Business Services, Ballinasloe, Co Galway

Sorcha Hayes, Head of Practice Regulation, Law Society of Ireland

Sonia McEntee, Principal, Sonia McEntee Solicitors
Sonia has been a solicitor since 1998. She holds a  Bachelor in Civil Law and Master of Laws (European Law) from University College Dublin and is also a Chartered Tax Advisor. Having practised predominantly in property, company, family and succession law areas, she manages our busy practice with a focus on the law as it affects multi-unit developments and the regulation of property professionals. Sonia set up the Sole Practitioner Network in 2009, a forum for solicitors to provide guidance and support to one another during the recession. She was elected first on to the Law Society Council in 2012, and most recently when she topped the poll, for the second time, in the 2021 election. She has served on several committees of the Law Society including Regulation of Practice and Taxation, and currently chairs the Public Relations Committee. Sonia was appointed Chair of Cavan County Council Audit Committee in 2019. Sonia was the recipient of the Sole Practitioner Award at the inaugural Irish Law Awards in 2012 and more recently was accredited the Business All-Star Apartment Law Practice of the Year 2021 in recognition of her conduct in the areas of trust, commitment, performance & customer-centricity

Alison O’Keefe, Senior Legal Counsel, Fexco, Co Kerry

Debbie Leonard, Executive Secretary to the Conveyancing Committee, Law Society of Ireland
Deborah achieved her Bachelor of Law degree from NUI Dublin in 1998 and subsequently qualified as a solicitor in 2006. Her post qualification experience has been gained both in practice and in an in-house property role. She has a particular interest in private client property matters and has acted in countless residential transactions over the years. In her present capacity as committee secretary Deborah spends much of her time working with lenders, state agencies and other stakeholders. She also has a huge interest in conveyancing practice reform. 

Stuart Gilhooly SC, Partner, H J Ward & Co, Solicitors. 
Stuart Gilhooly SC qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and is a partner in H J Ward & Co, Solicitors. He practises mainly in the area of personal injuries and sports law. 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 board member of the Court Services, an arbitrator for the Court of Arbitration for  Sport 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.  He was appointed as a Senior Counsel in 2021. 

Member Services Team, Law Society of Ireland

Other speakers TBC

IMPORTANT

• This is a live in-person event and will not be available online or as a recording.
  
• To reduce waste and to support the work of the Law Society Environmental and Sustainability in Practice Taskforce, materials will not be printed. Instead, they will be emailed before the event.
  
• For information  on CPD requirements see h ttps://www.lawsociety.ie/Solicitors/Practising/CPD-Scheme
• For full programme details download the  Brochure
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