Nicola McLaughlin SENIOR PARTNER, KEOGHS LLP Nicola joined Bolton-based Keoghs in 1986, becoming a partner just three years later. Nicola joined the liability fraud team last year, but
brings nearly 30 years’ experience in defendant personal injury litigation including handling complex and catastrophic liability
cases to the table. During her career, she has dealt with some high profile fraud cases and has assisted clients in forming strategies to combat
Gráinne Mellon BARRISTER, 36 BEDFORD ROW As a 2013 co-chair of the London Irish Lawyers Association, Gráinne specialises in public and employment law.
Expert in human rights law and committed to her pro bono work, she makes time to volunteer for The Women’s Equality Network, Liberty, the
Free Representation Unit and Bail for Immigration Detainees. Gráinne graduated from Trinity College Dublin and has a Masters in Public International
Law from the London School of Economics where she was also awarded the 11 KBW Award for Human Rights Law. Before coming to the bar Grainne clerked in the International Criminal Court.
Oonagh Murphy PRINCIPAL SOLICITOR, EMERALD LAW Emerald Law Solicitors was founded in 2009 by Co. Armagh native Oonagh Murphy. The general practice law firm, based in Liverpool
city centre, is a family run practice comprising of four Irish solicitors who are supported by an excellent team of Liverpudlian staff.
A honours graduate of Law with Economics from the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Oonagh – who is a big GAA fan – worked in
Clare Murray MANAGING PARTNER, CM MURRAY & CO Named a ‘super lawyer’ in a 2013 list published by Thomson Reuters, Clare has achieved a huge degree of achievement to date.
As founder of CM Murray LLP, she specialises in employment and partnership law. Her areas of expertise
include handling sensitive HR issues in the City, including difficult boardroom disputes and discrimination issues. Clare’s father hails from
1988, and subsequently in England and Wales in 1991. He co-founded Kerman & Co with Andy Kerman. Daniel trained with William Fry in
Dublin before moving to London in 1988. Daniel is a sporting enthusiast, playing played rugby for both Clanwilliam RFC and Bective
Michael O’Kane PARTNER, PETERS & PETERS A leading criminal cartel lawyer, Michael heads up the Business Crime team at Peters & Peters. After joining the firm in
2002, Michael became a partner in 2004. Before, he was a senior specialist prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service
Headquarters. There he was a key member of a team prosecuting serious and high profile fraud and terrorism including the Stansted
the Bar last year Maeve is best known for her tireless pro bono work with survivor advocacy group Justice for Magdalenes, which aims to
secure compensation for survivors of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries. Educated in University College Dublin, she moved
Mary O’Rourke QC BARRISTER, DEANS COURT CHAMBERS A highly respected and sought-after specialist in professional discipline, clinical negligence and employment law, Mary is
ranked by Chambers & Partners and in the Legal 500. She showed early promise, winning Professional Discipline Junior of the Year
in the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards of 2008 before taking silk in 2009 having been called to the bar in 1981. She divides her time between
and trusts work and charity law in 1994. Cliona read law at University College Dublin. She qualified as a solicitor in Ireland in
1977 and subsequently sat examinations with the Irish Taxation Institute. Cliona is founder and president of the Irish Solicitors Bar
Ronan O’Sullivan PARTNER, PAUL HASTINGS A Trinity College graduate Ronan attended Oxford where he achieved first class honours. Since 2010, he has been the chair of the London
office of international law firm Paul Hastings and vice chair of the firm’s global Corporate Department. His practice focus is capital
markets and corporate finance. Born and raised in Dublin, Ronan’s pastimes are all sport related – most
stateside in 2010 to study at Harvard Law School. This year, she was selected as the Jordan Publishing Family Law Awards 2013 Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year. She enjoys playing the fiddle in her spare time.
Belfast, London and Manchester. She is on the GB Executive Board of Cooperation Ireland. A selfconfessed “sports nut”, Mary is a Manchester United season ticket holder.
Cliona O’Tuama FOUNDER, CLIONA O’TUAMA SOLICITOR Known as one of the leading experts on British-Irish tax planning, Cliona O’Tuama set up her own private law firm specialising in probate, tax
Rangers RFC and has a keen interest in horse racing. He has recently become publican, acquiring Temple Bar which he hopes will provide a sporting venue for the legal profession in the Temple area.
Airport Afghan hijacking. Michael’s mother is from Fermanagh, his father from Co. Derry. Born in London, Michael enjoys spending holidays in Co. Donegal.
Maeve O’Rourke BARRISTER, FOUR PAPER BUILDINGS Despite being one of the youngest entrants on our Legal 50 list, Killiney, Co. Dublin-born Maeve O’Rourke has an enviable CV. Called to
the property department in Wilson Nesbitt Solicitors, Belfast, before moving to Liverpool in 2006 to undertake the Legal Practice Course in the College of Law Chester.
Newbliss, Co. Monaghan while her mother’s family are originally from Clones. When she has the chance, to escape the office she enjoys running, going to the theatre and reading.
Daniel O’Connell MANAGING PARTNER, KERMAN & CO Daniel ‘Donal’ O’Connell was born in Tipperary Town. He studied law at University College Dublin, was admitted as a solicitor in Ireland in
fraud in employers’ and public liability cases. Nicola is a member of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL) Rehabilitation Special Interest Group and the Law Society.
Association, which hosts an annual charity Autumn Ball. The charity event has raised over £450,000 for good causes and groups helping children and young people.
especially to cricket, the sport he has represented Ireland at school and university level. He now lives in North Norfolk with his wife Aly and their two children.