Ireland 2017 – GC Powerlist
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Ireland 2017

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Adrian Kelly

General counsel | Airsynergy

Energy and utilities

One of the co-founders of Airsynergy, a privately owned renewable energy product development and licensing company founded in 2008, Adrian Kelly is a distinguished lawyer who also acts as the...

Alan Boland

General counsel and company secretary | AXA Life Invest

Financials

As the current general counsel and company secretary of life insurance business AXA Life Invest, Alan Boland is part of the senior leadership team reporting to the CEO of the...

Alan Daly

Group head of legal | Electricity Supply Board (ESB)

Energy and utilities

Heading a 52-strong team, Alan Daly is credited for integrating the legal department into the business more comprehensively than ever before. Since his arrival in 2011, Daly has built up...

Alan Johnston

Chief counsel and company secretary | Liberty Insurance Ireland

Financials

The Irish arm of US multinational insurance firm Liberty are assisted in a legal and commercial sense by chief counsel and company secretary Alan Johnston, from a base in Blanchardstown,...

Anna Morgan

Head of legal and deputy commisioner | Office of the Data Protection Commissioner

The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner is an independent national authority tasked with enforcing data protection legislation in Ireland. With nine out of the top 10 global IT companies...

Antoine Mac Donncha

Head of legal unit | Department of Finance

Financials

Joining the Department of Finance as the only lawyer in 2009 in the aftermath of the worldwide crash is testament to Antoine Mac Donncha’s resilience as a pioneering in-house counsel...

Audrey Marie O’Sullivan

General counsel | SIRO

Telecommunication services

SIRO, a startup business owned by telecoms giants ESB and Vodafone, aims to bring high speed internet service online across Ireland, especially smaller rural areas and so bridge the ‘digital...

Brian Connolly

Director of legal services - local compliance | accenture

Information technology

With over 25 years’ successful track record of legal support for leading local, regional and global organisations, Brian Connolly has become a highly respected and experienced lawyer in the region....

Carol Browne

Head of legal | Bank of Ireland

Financials

One of Ireland’s traditional ‘big four’ banks, Bank of Ireland offers a wide range of financial products including savings, loans, mortgages and deposit accounts. Following a two-year stint in private...

Carol Drury

Head of legal | AIB

Financials

With a total career with AIB spanning almost a decade-and-a-half Carol Drury has amassed a wealth of knowledge into the company’s operations, and has been engaged in a number of...

Caroline Dee-Brown

General counsel | Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg)

With over 24 years of experience and qualified in three jurisdictions, Caroline Dee-Brown has been the general counsel for The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) – the regulator for Irish...

Catharine Ennis

Chief legal officer | SMBC Aviation Capital

Financials

Owned by a group of major Japanese financial organisations (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company Limited and Sumitomo Corporation) the scale of SMBC Aviation Capital’s...

Catherine May

Legal director EMEA and company secretary | Dell Financial Services

Financials

Catherine May has amassed over 10 years of international financial experience and in her current capacity set up the financial services business of Dell in the EMEA region. Establishing this...

Cian Crosbie

General counsel | Valentia Technologies

Information technology

Legal adviser to Valentia’s management team, Cian Crosbie, has had a varied but extensive career path. After completing his legal practice training he subsequently worked in Australia with a national...

Claire Lyons

General counsel for Europe, Middle East and Africa | OtterBox

Consumer products

To meet the demands of today’s mobile consumers, US company OtterBox has evolved to become a leading seller of premium protective cases for smartphones and tablets. As the company’s general...

Colin Fuller

Head of legal | Rabobank Dublin

Financials

As a qualified tax consultant who formerly worked in tax for a number of years, Colin Fuller is well placed in his role as head of legal for Rabobank. Fuller...

Damian Maloney

Vice president and general counsel | Element Fleet Management

Consumer products

Damian Maloney believes that ‘there is a certain amount of confidence you need in order to practice as an in-house lawyer’, and if so his career successes so far show...

Damien Moynagh

General counsel and company secretary | UDG Healthcare plc

Healthcare

Damien Moynagh currently serves as the general counsel at UDG Healthcare plc, a leading international provider of services to the healthcare industry, employing almost 8,000 employees and operating across 23...

Darragh Byrne

Head of group legal and compliance | DCC plc

Industrials and real estate

Head of legal and compliance at DCC, Darragh Bryne stands out for his dedication to the DCC group and pioneering work in the compliance field. Byrne joined DCC in April...

Darren Isaacson

Head of legal | Mercury Engineering

Industrials and real estate

A construction law specialist, a skill honed during his time with Arthur Cox, Darren Isaacson gained his first taste of in-house legal life when he was placed on secondment with...

Darren McMahon

Vice president, head of legal | State Street Ireland

Financials

Darren McMahon has spent over ten years at American international financial services firm State Street, and provides legal support to the company’s global services business in Ireland and the Channel...

David Boyle

General counsel | Irish Life

Financials

A highly experienced general counsel, David Boyle supplements his professional expertise with journalistic efforts; he has been an editor with The Irish Law Times journal since the year 2000 and...

David Dobbyn

Regional counsel EMEA and India | Xilinx

Information technology

As part of the management team based in Xilinx’s EMEA headquarters, David Dobbyn has a central role in supporting Xilinx’s regional business activities. Upon joining Xilinx in January 2012, Dobbyn...

David Johnston

Group company secretary | C&C Group

Food, beverages and tobacco

As group company secretary for C&C Group, a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributer of branded beverages in Ireland, David Johnston has worked on transforming the legal function into an integrated...

Deborah Elizabeth Hutton

EMEA head of legal - CFS | Citi

Financials

Deborah Hutton outlines how, after completing her academic studies and qualifying as a lawyer, she considered how she could ‘combine passion for an area of expertise with legal and industry...

Declan McPhillips

Head of legal and compliance | Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)

Sports and media

IFRU is the governing body that manages rugby in the island of Ireland. With rugby being one of Ireland’s most popular sports and with the Irish national rugby team being...

Deirdre Fagan

Head of legal services | AXA Insurance

Financials

Deirdre Fagan is one of the most experienced and well-respected general counsel in the insurance sector in Ireland, having been employed by global insurance giant AXA’s Irish subsidiary AXA Insurance...

Diarmaid Cunningham

Chief administrative officer, general counsel, executive vice president and company secretary | ICON

Healthcare

Diarmaid Cunningham developed a reputation for excellence during the early days of his career, when he worked for law firm A&L Goodbody for 10 years as a private practice lawyer....

Ed Riley

General counsel | Avolon

Transport and infrastructure

Ed Riley drew particular acclaim for his role in Dublin based aircraft leasing company Avolon’s IPO on the NYSE in December 2014. ‘This was the culmination of the first four...

Edel McCormack

Head of governance and legal | Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)

Transport and infrastructure

Responsible for managing and improving Ireland’s national road and light rail networks, TII was created in 2015 after the Roads Act 2015 provided for the merger of the Railway Procurement...

Edward Traynor

Group general counsel and company secretary | Paddy Power Betfair

Hotels

Paddy Power Betfair’s Edward Traynor is praised by sources for his outstanding expertise in corporate governance, employment law and dispute resolution, alongside his problem-solving skills and his ability to maintain...

Elizabeth Davis

General counsel | PwC Ireland

Financials

Elizabeth Davis joined PwC Ireland in 2014 as its general counsel. An experienced in-house lawyer, Davis joined PwC from Mercer Ireland where, she was its first general counsel and established...

Emily Ennis

Head of legal affairs | ARI

Commercial and professional services

Another segment of Ireland’s booming air travel support industry, ARI now has a truly international presence, around 3,000 employees and over $1bn in revenue. Emily Ennis, its head of legal...

Emma Kearney

General counsel Ireland and head of EMEA privacy, senior legal director | Yahoo!

Telecommunication services

Emma Kearney is a highly experienced lawyer in the IT sector, who plays an influential role in Yahoo!’s EMEA operations. Employed by the global internet giant since 2014, Kearney has...

Emmet O’Grady

General counsel, head of legal and compliance | Storyful (Newscorp)

Sports and media

Emmet O’Grady has had an exciting in-house career to date, which included a long and successful tenure with Paddy Power. Here, he was significantly involved with laying the legal groundwork...

Feidhlimidh Wrafter

Head of legal and compliance | Western Union Payment Services Ireland Limited (WUPSIL)

Financials

Part of the American multinational financial services company Western Union, Western Union Payment Services Ireland Limited (WUPSIL)’s line of business focuses on the operation of payments services. Feidhlimidh Wrafter has...

Gemma Neylon

General counsel | OpenJaw Technologies

Commercial and professional services

Gemma Neylon is an in-house lawyer with a formidable academic record. Since 2011 she has been general counsel at OpenJaw Technologies, a company that transforms travel companies into travel retailers...

Helen Dooley

Group general counsel | Allied Irish Banks (AIB)

Financials

Founded in 1966, AIB is a financial services group that operates primarily in the Republic of Ireland and the UK. Group general counsel for the company since 2012, Helen Dooley...

Ian McLaughlin

General counsel | NBC Global Finance

Financials

After a rewarding private practice career, Ian McLaughlin moved into the Corporate and Treasury in-house team at Bank of Ireland, a position he recalls fondly as ‘a really good role...

James Murray

Head of legal | RSA Insurance Ireland

Qualifying in 1994 and with RSA Ireland since 2011, James Murray was required to prove his mettle as an internal counsel very quickly upon taking his first in-house role with...

James O’Rourke

Senior legal counsel | Perrigo

Healthcare

During his legal career, ‘excellent lawyer’ James O’Rourke has amassed significant in-house legal experience in the pharmaceutical sector and now is the most senior lawyer in Ireland for Perrigo, a...

Jennifer Adams

Head of legal | Veolia Ireland

Energy and utilities

Veolia Environment, branded as Veolia, is the global leader in optimised resource management. Active in three main service and utilities areas – water management, waste management and energy services –...

Jennifer O’Riordan

Head of legal affairs, corporate and institutional services | First Names Group

Commercial and professional services

First Names Group is a leading provider of trust, fund real estate and corporate administration services around the globe. Described by a colleague as an ‘experienced business leader’, Jennifer O’Riordan...

Jim Harper

Legal Counsel & Company Secretary | Zurich Ireland

Financials

During the last nine years, Jim Harper has had a number of varying responsibilities within the Irish and EMEA legal team of the international insurance group Zurich. He acted as...

Joanne Ross

Head of legal and regulation | Bord Gáis Energy

Energy and utilities

Bord Gáis Energy provides gas and electricity to over 680,000 customers in Ireland. Joanne Ross, head of legal and regulation, has been with the company since 2011. She describes that...

John Ludden

Executive vice president and general counsel | GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)

Financials

Ireland is a global centre of aircraft leasing, and the sector is a huge success story for the Irish economy, with it contributing around €4bn in revenue in 2016. GE...

John O’Halloran

Vice president and associate general counsel - head of legal for Western and Central Europe | MetLife

Financials

The global insurance provider MetLife has made significant investments in Ireland in the last few years and has expanded in the country rapidly, adding new products and services to its...

Jolene Gacquin

Head of legal and compliance | Greencore

Food, beverages and tobacco

Established by the Irish government in 1991 following the privatisation of Irish Sugar, Greencore is a fast growing, international convenience food company and the world’s largest sandwich manufacturer. Praised by...

Juliusz Komorek

Chief legal and regulatory officer | Ryanair

Transport and infrastructure

Ryanair needs little in the way of introduction, as it is one of the most prominent and famous Irish companies globally, particularly within Europe where its low-cost, short-haul service has...

Kenneth Ruane

Head of legal affairs | An Garda Siochana

Nominated for his excellent legal work in the Irish public sector, Kenneth Ruane is the current head of legal affairs for the Republic of Ireland’s police force, An Garda Síochána....

Kevin Mccarthy

Chief legal officer | Brookfield Renewables

Energy and utilities

With several years’ experience acquired working in the in-house legal market for energy companies, Kevin McCarthy is the chief legal officer of Brookfield Renewables, a Candian headquartered energy company that...

Laurence Gourley

Legal director | Aer Lingus

Transport and infrastructure

Aer Lingus is the flag carrier for Ireland, with its 52-aircraft fleet presenting a symbol of the nation around the world. It operates a mixed service of both short and...

Linda NiChualladh

Regulatory and competition counsel | An Post

Commercial and professional services

Having previously been recognised as one of Ireland’s premier in-house lawyers in the GC Powerlist: Ireland, with her legal team also being included on the GC Powerlist: Ireland Teams in...

Lisa Doyle

Head of legal | Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland)

Financials

Nominated during our research process for her outstanding contribution to the market leading consumer finance business, third party loan servicer and asset manager, Lisa Doyle is head of legal for...

Margaret Ahearn

EMEA Personal systems, supply chain, customer services and support and procurement counsel | Hewlett-Packard International

Financials

Described by a nominating source as ‘an excellent lawyer’, Margaret Ahearn – an inclusion of the inaugural GC Powerlist: Ireland – has spent almost a decade at multinational American company...

Margaret Kearney

General counsel | CarTrawler

Commercial and professional services

CarTrawler is global vehicle hire business, and having built the CarTrawler legal department from scratch upon her appointment to the role of head of legal in 2010, Kearney assumed her...

Maria Costello

Head of legal | Topaz Energy

Energy and utilities

Leading a relatively small but strong team at one of Ireland’s leading forecourt and retail convenience retailing chains, Maria Costello serves as Topaz Energy’s head of legal. Under her leadership...

Marie Daly

Head of legal and regulatory affairs | Ibec

Commercial and professional services

Known as an excellent ‘litigator, lobbyist and lawyer’, Marie Daly joined Ibec (formerly the Federation of Irish Employers) in 1991 as an employment lawyer. When the Federation of Irish Employers...

Marie Griffin

General counsel | AIG

Financials

Distinguished lawyer Marie Griffin leads the legal department at AIG in Ireland, a department which is part of the wider AIG European Legal Group. Prior to her current role, Griffin...

Mark Maurice-Jones

General counsel and head of legal services | Nestlé

Food, beverages and tobacco

Credited for driving an ethical and inclusive culture at Nestlé, Mark Maurice-Jones has been responsible for aligning the legal function with the business and shaping the business agenda. Initially Maurice-Jones...

Marlene Connolly

Group counsel and senior director | Forcepoint

Information technology

Marlene Connolly successfully led the cybersecurity company, Forcepoint’s US and international teams through a number of transformative transactions, such as the Raytheon acquisition due diligence, completion and integration in 2015,...

Martin O’Donoghue

Global head of group legal affairs | Kerry Group

Food, beverages and tobacco

Quoted on the London & Irish stock exchanges and earning revenue totals of €6.1bn in 2016, Kerry Group provides a large and innovative portfolio of taste and nutrition technologies and...

Michael O’Hara

Group general counsel | Glanbia

Consumer products

Since being formed in 1997 out of the merger of Avonmore Foods and Waterford Foods, Glanbia has developed into a global nutrition company which sells or distributes its products in...

Michelle Geraghty

Senior corporate counsel | Hubspot

Information technology

Commercially focused technology and IT lawyer Michelle Geraghty joined HubSpot in February 2017 but is already well-acquainted with its faced paced, ever-changing and exciting environment. Coming from Afilias, the world’s...

Miriam Caley (née Dorn)

Head of legal Ireland | Optum

Healthcare

Healthcare company Optum is part of UnitedHealth Group (UHG).  Whilst UHG has been in Ireland for almost 20 years, its Dublin presence has expanded recently and its in-house legal team...

Neil Culkin

Senior corporate counsel | Google

Information technology

Neil Culkin joined Google as a real estate corporate counsel in January 2013. Initially he was based out of both their New York and Dublin offices, working with Google’s real...

Niamh Flood

Director of legal services | CRH

Industrials and real estate

A leading global diversified building materials group with a market capitalisation of around €27bn, employing c.87,000 people at c.3,800 operating locations in 31 countries worldwide, CRH is the largest building...

Nigel Goldsworthy

Group general counsel | Stellwagen Group

Financials

Stellwagen Group provides various services to the aviation, shipping and defence infrastructure sectors. A lawyer with over 25 years of experience within the industry and private practice, its chief legal...

Nikki Conran

General counsel, Northern, Central and Eastern Europe | Schneider Electric

Energy and utilities

Nikki joined Schneider Electric in January 2008 as associate general counsel EMEA. Through her proven dedication over the years, in May 2013 she was promoted to vice president and general...

Noel Gaughran

Head of litigation | Ulster Bank

Financials

An experienced financial lawyer of 19 years, Noel Gaughran draws attention for his handling of high-stake litigations since the 2008 global financial crash. First working for the Bank of Ireland...

Orla Cullen

Deputy general counsel | IAC Applications

Information technology

Corporate and commercial legal adviser Orla Cullen has accumulated premium private practice and in-house legal experience over the course of her 15-year professional career. Cullen currently serves as the deputy...

Orla Dunlea

International legal counsel and company secretary | Endo International

Orla Dunlea was appointed in September 2014 as International Legal Counsel and Company Secretary at Endo. Since that time the Irish operations have significantly grown from a small employee base...

Orla Joyce

Head of legal | Heineken Ireland

Food, beverages and tobacco

There was no in-house legal function at Heineken Ireland when Orla Joyce joined the international brewer in 2014, initially on a part time basis and subsequently as the full-time head...

Orla Murphy

Regional general counsel - EMEA | Synopsys

Commercial and professional services

For the last three years Orla Murphy has served as the regional general counsel for Synopsys, a provider of electronic design automation and the world’s 15th largest software company. In...

Orla Ormsby

Head of legal | Invesco (Ireland)

Financials

Training and practicing successfully for many years with Arthur Cox, where she reached the level of senior associate, Orla Ormsby decided to move to in-house work because she wanted to...

Peter Caley

Chief legal officer | Goshawk

Transport and infrastructure

With a portfolio of aircraft valued at over $4.5bn, Goshawk is a world-class specialist in aircraft leasing based in Dublin. Having gained significant in-house legal experience with regard to aircraft...

Peter McCarthy

Legal director | Virgin Media Ireland

Telecommunication services

During his eight-year tenure at Ireland’s leading telecommunications company, Peter McCarthy has led many of its defining projects and transactions. Joining Virgin Media Ireland in 2009, McCarthy’s role has expanded...

Peter O’Neill

Associate general counsel, commercial | Facebook

Information technology

Coming from a private practice background, Peter O’Neill took up his in-house role at Facebook five years ago, which he describes as a refreshing move into a dynamic environment. As...

Philip Merrills-Dearn

Associate general counsel and EMEA head of legal | Twitter

Information technology

Philip Merrils-Dearn joined the global social media company Twitter in April 2016. In his role as associate general counsel and EMEA head of legal, Merrils-Dearn is responsible for providing a...

Rebecca Radloff

Senior attorney, head of legal | Microsoft

Information technology

Microsoft has a significant operation in Ireland and hosts several business units in the country involved in software development and testing operations, finance, human resources and sales and marketing. Having...

Richard Henry

Head of legal and corporate affairs | Panda Group

Energy and utilities

Prior to joining Panda Group, an organisation involved in the UK and Irish waste management and utilities sector, in March 2017, Richard Henry served as Irish head of legal at...

Richard Kindred

Regional counsel | Diageo

Food, beverages and tobacco

‘Versatile and solution-orientated’, regional counsel Richard Kindred has been with Diageo for over five years and has gained broad experience in that time working in Ireland, Canada and Nigeria in...

Robert Heron

General counsel | Dunnes Stores

Consumer products

Highly regarded general counsel for the flagship Irish retail group Dunnes Stores, Robert Heron leads a versatile legal function that is well respected by peers. Dunnes Stores’ business is divided...

Robert Owens

Head of legal Ireland | Danske Bank

Financials

Robert Owens, head of legal for Ireland at Danske Bank, mentions two projects that he recalls particularly fondly among the other successes he has had with the company since joining...

Ronan Lennon

General counsel | Clanwilliam Group

Information technology

Hailed as one of Ireland’s brightest legal talents, Ronan Lennon made his move in-house in January 2017, taking up a general counsel position at the Irish healthcare, technology and services...

Rory Sullivan

Legal director | Pfizer Ireland

Healthcare

The Irish branch of global pharmaceuticals company Pfizer has employed legal director Rory Sullivan since 2006. As part of his role in providing general commercial legal support for all of...

Ruth Murphy

BT | Chief counsel business and public sector

Telecommunication services

Ruth Murphy has served the majority of her in-house career with BT Ireland, joining the telecommunications giant in March 2004 as a commercial lawyer and working her way up the...

Sanaea Daruwalla

General counsel | NewsWhip

Sports and media

Originally from Los Angeles, Sanaea Daruwalla’s background in assisting tech firms and startups saw her ideally placed to take on an in-house legal role for content intelligence company NewsWhip upon...

Sarah Clarkin

Executive vice president | Aircastle

Industrials and real estate

During her career of over 11 years at the aircraft leasing company Aircastle, Sarah Clarkin has been at the forefront of commercial affairs for the company, participating in complex aircraft...

Sarah Gallagher

Legal director | Tesco

Consumer products

Award winning Sarah Gallagher took up her current role as legal director at Tesco in August 2012. Gallagher previously served as director of commercial legal services at telecommunications provider Eircom....

Sarah O’Gorman

General counsel | Vodafone Ireland

Telecommunication services

Serving as the general counsel and company secretary for Vodafone Ireland, Sarah O’Gorman leads the commercially-minded legal team supporting the business, ensuring risks are dealt with and enabling the company...

Suzanne Tucker

General counsel and risk management leader | EY Ireland

Commercial and professional services

Suzanne Tucker joined EY Ireland in 2003 and has been working there as general counsel since, adding responsibilities for the firm’s risk management function since January 2016. She was the...

Sylvia Fagan

Head of legal | Ding

Telecommunication services

Sylvia Fagan has led the legal team at innovative technology company Ding since 2011, through a period of constant growth and change. Ding’s service allows users to top up mobile...

Tara Glynn

Company secretary and head of legal | VHI Group Services

Healthcare

Described by a colleague as an ‘experienced lawyer, who brings a calm head to analysis and decision making’, Tara Glynn joined the legal department of VHI Group Services, Ireland’s leading...

Thomas Schmid

Executive vice president, general counsel and MD | Inteprid Aviation

Transport and infrastructure

Having led the Irish operation of the global aircraft leasing company, Intrepid Aviation, Thomas Schmid has built a team of highly skilled professionals who have become known internally for their...

Tom Byrne

Head of legal UK and Ireland | Capita Asset Services

Financials

Capita Asset Services is the UK and Ireland’s leading provider of business process management and integrated professional support solutions. Since joining the company as head of legal, Tom Byrne ‘has...

Úna Butler

Director of legal services | Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Commercial and professional services

Úna Butler is credited as one of the top Irish public sector in-house lawyers, having consistently demonstrated her understanding of competition and European law. She joined the Irish Competition and...

Ursula Earley

General counsel | Inver Energy

Energy and utilities

With over 25 years of experience in all aspects of commercial law, Ursula Earley is responsible for establishing the legal function at Inver Energy and making it a key part...

Valerie Barlow

Head of legal | New Ireland Assurance Company

Financials

Head of legal at New Ireland Assurance Company, Valerie Barlow is recognised for her commercial focus and solution driven and practical approach to legal issues. She began her career in...

Vincent Drouillard

Head of legal leasing | AerCap

Financials

AerCap has over 1,500 aircraft owned, managed or on order as of June 2017, making it the largest independent aircraft-leasing company in the world. The company is headquartered in Dublin,...

The economy of The Republic of Ireland has carved out an enviable niche, boasting a diversified, up-to-date knowledge economy that is strong in imports and exports and is extremely business-friendly thanks to a low rate of corporation tax. The Irish success story has not all been plain sailing, however. The ‘Celtic Tiger’ period of extremely high pre-2007 growth was cut short by the global financial crisis, and necessitated downsizing and cost-cutting methods by many Irish companies – as well as economic stagnation. Nonetheless, Irish business proved its resiliency by returning to economic growth in recent years and the prognosis for enterprise in the country going forward is highly promising.

The role of in-house legal counsel within this story is significant. Many GCs and other internal counsel featured in the GC Powerlist: Ireland were involved in reorganising and rebuilding their companies in the wake of the financial crisis, and all of them have contributed to the successful operation of the businesses that have been responsible for the country’s return to economic health.

The rise of Ireland as the base for European headquarters for many large, multinational companies has meant a raft of new opportunities for local GCs, particularly in the area of technology, where Ireland is regarded as a global leader. Other areas are also particular specialties of the country, with aircraft leasing, aviation services and agriculture being just some examples of industries that it excels at. As such, Ireland is a fertile and rewarding country in which to operate as an in-house counsel, and the hugely talented individuals featured in the GC Powerlist: Ireland 2017 bear this out. These are the best, brightest and most innovative in-house counsel in the country, all of whom have made an indispensable contribution to the companies they work with, and they join the illustrious ranks of our GC Powerlist: Ireland alumni, both GCs and teams, who all continue to push the role of in-house forward.

I would like to express my personal thanks to our sponsors, McCann FitzGerald, for supporting this publication. A special mention must also be made to all the in-house personnel who spoke to us during the course of the research for the GC Powerlist: Ireland, and the research team who completed the project, led by senior research analysts Sara Mageit and Joe Boswell.

McCann FitzGerald

McCann FitzGerald logo

McCann FitzGerald is delighted to continue its support of the GC Powerlist in Ireland, recognising as it does the breadth and depth of legal talent that play an increasing important role in many of Ireland’s most successful businesses.

The environment in which lawyers operate is dynamic and ever-changing. Increasing workload and risk, the demand for delivery of more legal services at less cost, limited availability of qualified legal resources and increasing use of technology are just some of the drivers in today’s highly competitive market for legal services. These changes place serious demands on all lawyers, both in-house and in private practice, to constantly evaluate how they deliver their services and to figure out how to respond to the demand for increased efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of legal services.

Innovation has been the key to ensuring that McCann FitzGerald responds to these changes. Technology is having a transformative effect on all businesses and the legal services sector is no exception. The choice is to drive onwards and to progress, or risk becoming irrelevant – that is why we have put innovation at the heart of our strategy.

Building on the successful launch of the Data Investigations Group in May 2016 – a state-of-the-art model for the management of high-volume document review and reporting that can deliver cost savings of up to 40% for clients – over the last year or so we became the first Irish firm to invest in complementary artificial intelligence software from two of the leading global providers – Kira Systems and Neota Logic. This investment allows us to explore ways to create products and services that offer value for McCann FitzGerald and our clients, such as the development of smart advisor apps and document automation services.

These investments are tangible proof of our commitment to utilise the newest technologies as a means of improving services and delivering increased value to clients.

At the same time as these changes are occurring, in-house legal teams are being called on to take a leading role in advising businesses, and to have an expanding influence in areas such as risk management and business strategy. They are seen as thought leaders and experts within their industries, with the insights to drive and create business opportunities and influence decisions at the highest levels.

Private practice lawyers have a strong role to play when advising in-house teams. It is important that they too have an understanding of the economic and business landscape that their clients are operating in. They need to be on hand to offer expert counsel within their area of expertise, and work closely with their in-house counterparts to navigate through the changing business, regulatory and legal environments. There are a wealth of opportunities for private and in-house legal teams to collaborate, allowing them together to give expert advice to their business, and ultimately to drive further growth and create significant business efficiencies.

McCann FitzGerald is excited by the developments in the legal sector and the evolving role of in-house counsel. As a firm, we seek to enable your progress through the provision of strategic legal counsel on the major business and commercial issues of our time, delivered through a culture of high performance and high integrity. We look forward to further developing our partnerships and collaborations with corporate counsel. These partnerships enable businesses to benefit from the insight that McCann FitzGerald has obtained over many years in working with clients across a range of diverse industries.

On behalf of all the partners at McCann FitzGerald, I wish to extend our sincere congratulations to all those who have been included in the GC Powerlist: Ireland 2017. Recipients of this accolade come from a broad and varied range of sectors, from banking and financial services, to retail chains and consumer brands. This prestigious recognition highlights the hard work, strength and innovation displayed by corporate counsel across Ireland, and also emphasises the increasingly important and expanding role of corporate counsel in today’s business environment.

Jones Day Hong Kong Roundtable 2024

The Legal 500 was thrilled to join a selection of top Jones Day partners and a hand-picked group of 15 the most prominent GCs in Hong Kong for a freewheeling and no-holds-barred discussion on geopolitical risk management at a time of global transition. Steve Brogan, managing partner of Jones Day from 2002-2022 flew over to lend his considerable expertise to the discussion, as did Partner-in-Charge Hong Kong Joelle Lau. Joining them to give expert briefings on the topics of the day were partners Peter Wang, Dr Qiang Xue, James Fidler, Samuel Ngo and Charles Chau. The conversation moved from sanctions and counter sanctions, to the increasing pre-eminence of the Asian economy, to the philosophy of the rule of law in times of crisis.