Dozens of leading law firms, legal practitioners and in-house legal teams across Ireland have made the shortlist.

Now in their eighth year, the Irish Law Awards aim to identify, honour and publicise outstanding achievements, while also recognising individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving in the legal profession.

The awards witnessed a 20% increase in entries this year, with over 100 Irish legal firms entering across the different categories.

The judging panel this year is comprised of sixteen legal experts, chaired by Dr Eamonn G. Hall.

Gala dinner

The Irish Law Awards will be hosted by Ivan Yates at a black-tie gala dinner on Friday 14 June in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road in Dublin 4.

This year, the Awards introduced a number of new categories, namely

• Corporate/Commercial Law Team/Lawyer of the Year,
• Personal Injury/Medical Negligence Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year,
• Pro Bono/Community Law Firm/Lawyer of the Year,
• Diversity and Inclusion Law Firm of the Year.

The Awards will also feature the ever-popular categories such as the coveted Law Firm of the Year, Law Firm Innovation Award and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Achievements

Dr Eamonn G. Hall, chair of the judging panel said “In the Irish Law Awards, we celebrate the great achievements and the day-to-day achievements of solicitors, barristers and legal executives of Ireland who all share a passion for justice and a passion for excellence on behalf of their clients.

"These achievements deserve to be celebrated and are recorded by awards judged by one's peers – one of the highest forms of accolade.”

Event director Katherine O’Riordan said “The Irish Law Awards recognise the hard work and dedication of those working in the legal profession and offers a platform to showcase their achievements in 2018 to date.

“The standard and number of nominations this year has been exceptional and the addition of the new categories, proved to be very popular. We’re really looking forward to the awards ceremony on 14 June and best of luck to all the finalists.”

For a full list of this year’s finalists or to book tickets to the gala awards visit www.irishlawawards.ie

CONNACHT/ULSTER & MUNSTER EMPLOYMENT LAW FIRM/TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Alastair Purdy & Co. Solicitors
• J.O.S Solicitors
• MacSweeney & Company
• Michelle Hayes, Hayes Solicitors
• Sweeney McGann Solicitors

LEINSTER INCL. DUBLIN EMPLOYMENT LAW FIRM/TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Anne O'Connell Solicitors
• HBMO Solicitors
• O'Connor Solicitors
• Philip Lee
• Reddy Charlton Solicitors
• Richard Grogan & Associates Solicitors
• Tim Kennelly Solicitors

CONNACHT/ULSTER LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

• Blake & Kenny Solicitors
• Geraghty & Co., Solicitors
• Gibson & Associates Solicitors
• J.O.S Solicitors
• MacSweeney & Company
• Mahon Sweeney Solicitors
• Michael Monahan Solicitor
• O'Donnell McKenna Solicitors

DUBLIN LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

• Dillon Solicitors
• HBMO Solicitors
• OSM Partners
• Reddy Charlton Solicitors
• Richard Grogan & Associates Solicitors

LEINSTER LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

• Blasco Solicitors
• Byrne Carolan Cunningham
• Clarke Jeffers Solicitors
• Connellan Solicitors
• Hanahoe and Hanahoe
• John A. Sinnott & Co Solicitors
• Larkin Tynan Nohilly
• Poe Kiely Hogan Lanigan Solicitors 

MUNSTER LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

• JRAP O'Meara
• Keating Connolly Sellors Solicitors
• Kieran Mulcahy Solicitors
• McCarthy + Co.
• MHP Solicitors
• Michelle Hayes, Hayes Solicitors
• O' Brien Solicitors
• Sweeney McGann Solicitors

CONNACHT/ULSTER LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Brian McMullin, Brian J McMullin Solicitors
• Davitt Geraghty, Geraghty & Co., Solicitors
• Jason O'Sullivan, J.O.S Solicitors
• Michael Monahan Solicitor

DUBLIN LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Daniel Hughes, Hughes & Associates Solicitors
• Hugh O'Neill, HBMO Solicitors
• Lisa Quinn O'Flaherty, Fitzsimons Redmond Solicitors
• Niamh Moran, Carmody Moran
• Rachel Curran, Ulster Bank
• Richard Grogan, Richard Grogan & Associates Solicitors
• Ronan Hannigan, HBMO Solicitors
• Sinead Lucey, Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC)

LEINSTER LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Alvaro Blasco, Blasco Solicitors
• David Nohilly, Larkin Tynan Nohilly
• Deirdre Burke, Burke Legal
• Susan Webster, Susan Webster & Company

MUNSTER LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Catherine O' Brien, O' Brien Solicitors
• Kieran Mulcahy Solicitors
• Michelle Hayes, Hayes Solicitors
• Thomas Dowling, Hogan Dowling McNamara

SOLE PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by LEAP Software

• Alvaro Blasco, Blasco Solicitors
• Anne O'Connell Solicitors
• Bernadette Barry, Bernadette Barry & Co
• Catherine O' Brien, O' Brien Solicitors
• Deirdre Burke, Burke Legal
• Donna Wilson Wilson Daly Solicitors
• Jason O'Sullivan, J.O.S Solicitors
• Michael Monahan Solicitor
• Susan Webster, Susan Webster & Company
• Tim Kennelly Solicitors

CRIMINAL LAW FIRM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Cahir O'Higgins and Company
• Connolly Finan Fleming
• John M. Quinn & Co.
• Jonathan Dunphy, Jonathan Dunphy & Company Solicitors
• KOD Lyons Solicitors
• Michael Hennessy Solicitors
• Michael J Staines & Company
• MSM LAW
• Sarah Wilson, MSM LAW
• Tim Kennelly Solicitors

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

• McMahon & Williams Solicitors
• OUTLaw
• Philip Lee

SOLE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by LEAP Software

• John A. Sinnott & Co Solicitors
• John M. Quinn & Co.
• John Redmond, Fitzsimons Redmond Solicitors
• Kieran Mulcahy Solicitors
• Lee Solicitors
• Susan Cosgrove, Cosgrove Gaynard Solicitors

EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION IN CLIENT SERVICES CONNACHT/ULSTER

Sponsored by Ormond Meeting Rooms

• Gibson & Associates Solicitors
• Kemple Gormley Solicitors
• Mahon Sweeney Solicitors
• Michael Monahan Solicitor
• O'Donnell McKenna Solicitors

EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION IN CLIENT SERVICE DUBLIN

Sponsored by Ormond Meeting Rooms

• Anne O'Connell Solicitors
• Chief State Solicitors Family Law Team
• Judicial Review Team, Chief State Solicitor's Office
• Lee Solicitors
• McKenna & Co Solicitors
• McMahon Goldrick Solicitors
• OSM Partners
• Richard Grogan & Associates Solicitors
• Tracey Solicitors

EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION IN CLIENT SERVICE LEINSTER

Sponsored by Ormond Meeting Rooms

• Blasco Solicitors
• John A. Sinnott & Co Solicitors
• Tim Kennelly Solicitors

EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION IN CLIENT SERVICE MUNSTER

Sponsored by Ormond Meeting Rooms

• JRAP O'Meara
• Kieran Mulcahy Solicitors
• McCarthy + Co.
• Pierse Fitzgibbon Solicitors

EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

• Bernadette Barry & Co
• Dillon Solicitors
• J.O.S Solicitors
• John A. Sinnott & Co Solicitors
• Kemple Gormley Solicitors
• Michael Monahan Solicitor
• Poe Kiely Hogan Lanigan Solicitors
• Richard Grogan & Associates Solicitors
• Tim Kennelly Solicitors

IN-HOUSE (NON-CIVIL SERVICE/PUBLIC SECTOR) LEGAL TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Clúid Housing Association Legal Department
• OpenJaw Technologies
• Rachel Curran, Ulster Bank
• Brian J McMullin Solicitors (Waterways Ireland)

LAW FIRM INNOVATION AWARD

Sponsored by Practice Evolve

• J.O.S Solicitors
• McGroddy Brennan Solicitors in association with LawOnline
• Michael Monahan Solicitor
• OSM Partners
• Richard Grogan & Associates Solicitors

LAW SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

• Department of Law, Maynooth University
• Faculty of Law, Griffith College
• School of Law, NUI Galway
• School of Law, University of Limerick

LAW STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Bloomsbury Professional

• Amy Lee, Griffith College
• Conor Courtney, DBS
• Mark O'Brien O'Reilly, UCD
• Raphael Onwunali, DCU/University of London
• Rebecca McKittrick, NUIG
• Siobhan Clabby, Griffith College

LEGAL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

• Adrina Conlon, James McSweeney Solicitors
• Anthony Rath, John A Sinnott & Co Solicitors.
• Deirdre O'Donovan, McCarthy + Co.
• Denis Shelly, Denis Shelly Legal Costs Accountants Limited
• Fiona Regan, O’Donnell McKenna Solicitors
• Sharon Shaw, Gibson & Associates Solicitors
• Maria Crawford, Tracey Solicitors
• Rachel Smith, OSM Partners

PERSONAL INJURY/MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE LAW FIRM/TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by MedLaw

• Avril Scally, Lavelle Solicitors
• Bernadette Barry, Bernadette Barry & Co
• Geraghty & Co., Solicitors
• Hanahoe and Hanahoe
• McCarthy + Co.
• McGarr Solicitors
• McMahon Goldrick Solicitors
• Michelle Hayes, Hayes Solicitors
• Orpen Franks Medical Negligence Department
• Philip Smith, Beauchamps
• Tracey Solicitors

PRO BONO/COMMUNITY LAW FIRM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Caroline Keane, Community Law & Mediation Limerick
• Colin Morris, Gibson & Associates Solicitors
• Holohan Lane Solicitors / Ashtown Gate Solicitors
• Lisa Quinn O'Flaherty, Fitzsimons Redmond
• Mercy Law Resource Centre
• Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA)

PROBATE LAW FIRM/TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Catherine O' Brien, O' Brien Solicitors
• Geraghty & Co., Solicitors
• HBMO Solicitors
• Jordan & Kennelly Solicitors
• Purtill Solicitors
• Sweeney McGann Solicitors

PUBLIC SECTOR IN-HOUSE LEGAL TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Criminal Assets Section, Chief State Solicitor's Office
• Chief State Solicitors Family Law Team
• ESB
• Judicial Review Team, Chief State Solicitor's Office

SERVICE PROVIDER TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION

• Behan & Associates, Legal Costs Accountants
• Denis Shelly Legal Costs Accountants Limited
• LawOnline
• LEAP Legal Software
• Legalrss.ie
• MedLaw
• Ormond Meeting Rooms

CONNACHT/ULSTER & MUNSTER FAMILY LAW FIRM/TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Geraghty & Co., Solicitors
• MacSweeney & Company
• Maria O' Donovan & Co.
• Sweeney McGann Solicitors

DUBLIN FAMILY LAW FIRM/TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Avril Mangan, Mangan & Company Solicitors
• Chief State Solicitors Family Law Team
• Dillon Solicitors
• HBMO Solicitors
• Keith Walsh Solicitor, Keith Walsh Solicitors
• KOD Lyons Solicitors
• Lorna Duffy, Lorna Duffy & Co Solicitors

LEINSTER FAMILY LAW FIRM/TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Deirdre Burke, Burke Legal
• Dillon Solicitors
• Susan Webster, Susan Webster & Company

LAW BOOK OF THE YEAR

• Arbitration Law (3rd edn) Arran Dowling-Hussey, Derek Dunne & John Tackaberry Q.C
• Counterparts: A Synergy of Law and Literature, Danielle McLaughlin
• EU Data Protection Law, Kelleher & Murray
• Kelly: The Irish Constitution (5th edn), Hogan, Whyte, Kenny & Walsh
• Residential Tenancies, Laura Farrell
• Essential law text on Evidence, Matthew Holmes
• Mediation Law, Penelope McRedmond
• Woods on Road Traffic Offences (4th edn), Clarke, Kenny & O’Sullivan

CONNACHT/ULSTER LITIGATION LAW FIRM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Geraghty & Co., Solicitors
• Gibson & Associates Solicitors
• J.O.S Solicitors
• MacSweeney & Company

LEINSTER INCL. DUBLIN LITIGATION LAW FIRM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Beauchamps
• Bernadette Barry & Co
• Ciarán Leavy, Lavelle Solicitors
• Daniel Hughes, Hughes & Associates Solicitors
• HBMO Solicitors
• John M. Quinn & Co.
• O'Connor Solicitors
• Philip Lee
• Richard Grogan & Associates Solicitors

MUNSTER LITIGATION LAW FIRM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Catherine O' Brien, O' Brien Solicitors
• Michelle Hayes, Hayes Solicitors
• Sweeney McGann Solicitors

CONNACHT/ULSTER PROPERTY LAW FIRM/TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Blake & Kenny Solicitors
• Geraghty & Co., Solicitors
• Gibson & Associates Solicitors
• MacSweeney & Company
• O'Donnell McKenna Solicitors

LEINSTER (INCL. DUBLIN) PROPERTY LAW FIRM/TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Beauchamps
• Clarke Jeffers Solicitors
• Clúid Housing Association Legal Department
• Cosgrove Gaynard Solicitors
• HBMO Solicitors
• Lee Solicitors
• Miley and Miley Solicitors
• OSM Partners Property Department
• Philip Lee
• Reddy Charlton Solicitors

MUNSTER PROPERTY LAW FIRM/TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

• Catherine O' Brien, O' Brien Solicitors
• Donna Wilson, Wilson Daly Solicitors
• Pierse Fitzgibbon Solicitors
• Sweeney McGann Solicitors

CORPORATE/COMMERCIAL LAW TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Courtsdesk

• Beauchamps
• Flynn O'Driscoll Business Lawyers
• HBMO Solicitors
• Lee Solicitors
• MacSweeney & Company
• Philip Lee
• Reddy Charlton Solicitors
• Wallace Corporate Counsel

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Sponsored by RSM Ireland

Recipient announced at the Awards