Ireland’s largest law firm Matheson has appointed Niamh Counihan (pictured) as its pro bono partner.

The firm says that she will dedicate 50% of her professional time specifically to pro bono legal activities, with the other 50% given to her responsibilities as director of legal and regulatory affairs.

Matheson says that Counihan will work with management to refine the firm’s pro bono strategy, and lead related initiatives and collaborative projects.

Member of Law Society committee

Originally from Adare, Co Limerick, Niamh has worked in Matheson for more than 20 years, and was appointed a partner in 2011. She has also been a member of the Law Society’s Business Law Committee since 2016.

Matheson, which recently set up a pro bono committee, says that the latest appointment marks a significant investment in further supporting its commitment to this area of practice.

In November 2020, the firm was a founding signatory to the Pro Bono Pledge, an initiative that calls on legal professionals to commit to promote access to justice by providing free legal assistance to those in need.