Role of the Committee

The role of the in-house solicitor continues to develop and evolve, with an ever-widening range of organisations requiring the specialist legal skills that an in-house solicitor can offer. The areas of activities in which they are engaged include:

• Banking and financial services;
• Manufacturing;
• Telecommunications and IT;
• Transport and Energy;
• Insurance and Pensions;
• Local Authorities;
• Professional Services;
• Offices of the Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Chief State Solicitor, Revenue Solicitor and other Government departments and agencies.

The In-House and Public Sector Committee was formed by the Society in recognition of the different perspective of in-house solicitors operating in a diversity of roles, while still bound by the same professional and ethical standards that apply to solicitors in private practice.

Mission statement 

Purpose: The number of solicitors working in-house continues to grow and represents approximately 24% of practising certificate holders and 22% of membership as of June 2021. The In-house and Public Sector Committee aims to represent the views and promote the interests of in-house solicitors in Ireland, those who work outside of private practice in the public and private sectors. The Committee helps to support the Law Society in the exercise of its representative, educational and regulatory roles as they relate to the in-house sector.

The in-house sector spans a wide range of organisations, ranging from small and large private companies in the manufacturing and service sectors to state, semi-state and municipal agencies and organisations. 

Values: The Committee recognises the wide range of experiences and perspectives of solicitors from across the in-house sector. It aims to represent and promote the interests of this diverse sector, both those shared with private practice colleagues, and those that are specific to the in-house sector. The Committee promotes collegiality and the creation of connections and networking opportunities between in-house solicitors, and it works to build upon and strengthen the relationship between the Law Society and its increasing number of in-house members.

Guidance and information: The Committee organises focus groups, panel discussions and an annual conference on matters of particular interest and relevance to in-house solicitors. It provides guidance to in-house solicitors on an ad hoc basis in response to individual queries and facilitates the dissemination of materials of assistance to the in-house sector generally. 

The Committee publishes articles and briefing notes of assistance to the in-house sector in various forms including in the Law Society Gazette, on the In-house Committee section of the Law Society website, and via the Law Society’s member eZine.

The Committee represents the Society at the European Company Lawyer Association (ECLA) General Assembly meetings held twice a year.

Members & Secretary

Chair: Caroline Dee-Brown

Vice-Chair: Alison Bradshaw

Members

• Michael Barrett

• Sarah Jane Clifford

• Jeanette Codd McDonagh

• Ciara Daly

• Aisling Fitzgerald

• Yvonne Keating

• Ronan Lennon

• Roisin Magee

• Áine McCarthy

• Deirdre McDermott

• Laura McGovern

• Margaret Maguire

• Aideen Neylon

• Gemma Neylon

• Thomas Reilly

• Evelyn Savage

• Tara Smith

• Gráinne Whelan

• Peter White

• Jennifer O’Sullivan

• Kate McKenna

• Jennifer Harnett O’Connor

• Tara Woulfe

• Gary Lee

Secretary: Louise Campbell

Contact Us

If there is a matter of particular interest or concern to you, contact the Committee through the Committee Secretary; Louise Campbell, Law Society of Ireland, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7, by email or phone 01 881 5712.