Legal 500 is honoured to announce the launch of the GC Powerlist Ireland: 2025, recognising a stellar cohort of leading in-house counsel in the region.

The role of in-house counsel is becoming ever more critical in today’s fast-paced and rapidly evolving market. ‘A modern in-house counsel plays a far more strategic and integrated role in a company than in the past’, notes John McEvoy, Executive Chairman at Duality Healthcare and SVP, Chief Legal Officer at Poolbeg Pharma Plc.

More often than not, in-house counsel are expected to act as key business partners, rather than just legal advisors. ‘This involves becoming truly embedded in the organisation, gaining a deep understanding of its strategy, objectives, industry landscape, and risk appetite’, says Elizabeth Davis, General Counsel at PwC. It is with this level of involvement that in-house teams are uniquely positioned to provide balanced advice that both protects business interests while enabling growth.

But playing such an integral role requires the ability to adapt and stay ahead of business developments. As Richard Whelehan, Head of Legal – Funds at Abbey Capital Limited, highlights, the ‘ability to embrace change and react in an ever-changing business environment’ is fundamental to success in the role. Miriam Nagle, Group General Counsel at AIB, agrees: ‘agility is more important than ever now, given the rapid pace of change on all fronts, including in the AI space.’

AI, in particular, remains at the forefront of the in-house counsel’s mind. ‘Over the past year, the most significant trend in the legal and business world is obviously the rapid proliferation of the deployment of artificial intelligence,’ observes Eleanor Daly, Director & Associate General Counsel – Global Corporate at Meta Platforms Ireland Limited. And, as Ciara Sharkey, Legal Director at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, argues: ‘with the emergence of AI, the role of in-house lawyers will continue to evolve further and at a fast pace’. Agility is, therefore, not just desirable, but also essential.

But as Marlene Connolly, General Counsel at Trinity Biotech plc, rightly points out: ‘a truly impactful GC is agile and principled… able to adapt to shifting environments without compromising integrity’. Balancing these qualities is essential when providing both risk-averse and strategic business advice, especially when navigating the complexities of AI. After all, as Daly reminds us, ‘the true benefits of AI are only realised when legal departments have robust, structured data sources and well-defined processes in place’.

AI has the potential to streamline operations and improve efficiency, especially in an era where ‘businesses continually push their legal teams to do more with less’, as Stephen Hurley, Director and Associate General Counsel at Meta, emphasises. However, in-house counsel must ensure the foundations are in place before introducing AI tools into

their teams: ‘AI tools are only as effective as the data they are fed and the processes they are designed to enhance’, cautions Daly.

So, ‘an in-house counsel wears many hats’, says Mairead McShea, Senior Legal Counsel at Perrigo Company PLC. It is a role that is becoming increasingly multi-faceted, in step with the constantly developing business world.

With that in mind, I would like to congratulate everyone included in this year’s edition of the Powerlist and extend my thanks to all who took part in the research process.

We are honoured to host the GC Powerlist 2025, an esteemed recognition of the outstanding in-house legal talent shaping the future of business.  At Matheson, we believe that the role of the general counsel has never been more important.  In today’s landscape, marked by shifting economic and geopolitical realities, rapid technological advancements, and increasingly complex regulatory environments, the demands on in-house counsel are greater than ever.

In-house legal teams are now key strategic partners, relied upon by boards and senior management for their expertise, insight, and guidance to drive sustained success for their businesses.  Our experience working with international clients has shown us that the qualities that set the best GCs apart are their broad skill sets, deep industry knowledge, and commercial acumen – qualities that we see reflected in the individuals recognised in this year’s Powerlist.

At Matheson, we are privileged to collaborate closely with many in-house legal professionals across a multitude of sectors and to witness firsthand the calibre of leadership, innovation, and resilience they demonstrate.  Supporting these leaders is a responsibility we treat seriously.

The 2025 edition of the Legal 500’s GC Powerlist continues to celebrate those in-house legal professionals who have demonstrated exceptional performance across diverse sectors and organisations.  Inclusion in this list is a true testament to their dedication, skill, and tangible impact, and we are delighted to collaborate once again with the Legal 500 in celebrating its publication.

At Matheson, we are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, and leadership within the legal community.  Our pioneering Digital Services Group—the first of its kind in Ireland—continues to grow and invest in people and technology, enabling us to deliver bespoke digital solutions that empower our clients to stay in control.  Recognised as one of Europe’s Most Innovative Law Firms as of June 2025, we pride ourselves on our collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams that deliver tailored expertise across various fields.  For instance, our ESG Advisory Group guides clients through the rapidly evolving sustainability landscape, while our Digital Economy Group remains at the forefront of technological innovation, ensuring clients’ digital needs are met with precision and foresight. In this highly skilled environment, clients increasingly turn to Matheson for our unique combination of expertise, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions.

Congratulations to all the honourees and we look forward to supporting your continued success in the future.

Thank you.

Michael Jackson

Managing Partner

Matheson LLP