Keith Walsh SC named Lawyer of the Year
Law Society stalwart Judge Gerard Griffin’s outstanding contribution to the legal profession over his long and distinguished career has been recognised at the Leap Irish Law Awards 2026.
Three current Law Society Council members – Keith Walsh SC, Graham Kenny and Áine Hynes SC (small picture) – also took away key awards at the event in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin 4 (12 June).
Presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Judge Griffin, Richard Hammond SC described him as “an exemplar of how solicitors can be excellent members of the judiciary.”
Bench
Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 1978, Judge Griffin retired from the Circuit Court in 2023 after 16 years on the bench.
He became junior vice-president of the Law Society Council in 1998, senior vice-president in 2002 and served as president of the Law Society for the year 2003/2004.
Judge Griffin chaired many Law Society’s committees during his 25-year tenure on the Council – including finance, registrar’s, compensation fund and litigation.
Current junior president of the Law Society Council Keith Walsh SC won the prestigious Lawyer of the Year title at the event hosted by broadcaster Anton Savage, while Graham Kenny, a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, was named ADR Firm/Lawyer of the Year.
After being honoured with a Special Merit Award at the 2024 ceremony for her work in guiding the rollout of updated enduring powers of attorney, Áine Hynes SC’s Irish Legal Capacity and Decision-Making was selected as the Law Book of the Year for 2026.
This year’s Special Merit Award went to Gareth Noble, main picture, partner at KOD Lyons, for his work advocating for vulnerable youth, holding State agencies accountable and litigating strategic cases for children.
Sweeney McGann scooped the overall Law Firm of the Year title, beating the other regional winners OSM Partners LLP, Clarke Jeffers LLP and Alastair Purdy LLP.
Andrea Clarke of Coyne Solicitors was named Sole Principal of the Year and Niall Fox Solicitors got the Sole Practitioner of the Year accolade.
Winner of the new Global Excellence Award for the Leading International Law Firm in Ireland 2026 was announced on the night as Addleshaw Goddard, while the inaugural Expert Witness of the Year Award was presented to James Northridge, founder of assistive technology firm UrAbility.
Employment law award
Anne O’Connell Solicitors won the Employment Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year.
Matthew Byrne of Hammerstones Solicitors LLP won Criminal Law Firm/Lawyer of the Year.
Lavelle Partners LLP took the Civil Litigation Law Firm/Lawyer of the Year title.
PBN Litigation was Personal Injury/Medical Negligence Law Firm/Team Lawyer of the Year.
The Property Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year went to O’Connor LLP.
There were 34 categories in the Leap Irish Law Awards 2026. The full list of winners is published online.