Role of the Committee

The In-House and Public Sector Committee was formed by the Law 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.

The number of solicitors working in-house, in the private and public sectors, continues to grow and represents approximately 23% of practising certificate holders and 25% of the Law Society’s membership, as of 28 February 2024

The in-house sector spans a wide range of organisations, ranging from small and large private companies in a variety of sectors, to state, semi-state and municipal agencies and organisations. There are many themes common to the experiences and development requirements of in-house solicitors, regardless of the sector that they work in. The Committee recognises the wide range of experiences and perspectives of solicitors from across the in-house sector.

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 aims of the Committee are as follows:

1. To represent the views and promote the interests of in-house solicitors in Ireland.
2. To support the Law Society in the exercise of its representative, educational and regulatory roles as they relate to the in-house sector.
3. To promote collegiality and the creation of connections and networking opportunities between in-house solicitors.
4. To work to build upon and strengthen the relationship between the Law Society and its increasing number of in-house members.

Members & Secretary

Chair: Roisin Magee

Vice-Chair: Sarah-Jane Clifford

Members

• Michael Barrett
• Brian Canavan
• Nicola Curry
• Ciara Daly
• Clare Daly
• Caroline Dee-Brown
• Aisling Fitzgerald
• Orla Fitzpatrick
• Ciara Gaffney
• Jennifer Hartnett O’Connor
• Brendan Hayes
• Lorraine Horgan
• Ronan Lennon
• Áine McCarthy
• Lisa McCarthy
• Nicole Muldoon
• James Murray
• Judy O’Connell
• Ciara O’Donovan
• Thomas Reilly
• Tara Smith

Secretary: Louise Campbell

Current issues

Current issues on the Committee's agenda include the following:

1. The Committee assists Law Society Professional Training with the organisation of training events, on topical issues of interest and concern to in-house solicitors. As well as the educational benefits, these help to promote collegiality and the forming of connections between in-house solicitors.
2. The Committee communicates with the profession through the Society’s various communications channels, including periodic articles in the Gazette, and the In-house Update, which features in the Solicitors eZine and on the Website. For details, see News & Events.
3. The Committee continues to provide guidance to individual members of the profession in response to phone and written queries. The Committee’s Guide for In-House Solicitors Employed in the Corporate and Public Sectors provides both prospective and existing in-house solicitors with key information.
4. The Committee represents the Society at the European Company Lawyers Association (ECLA) General Assembly meetings held twice a year. For details, see the ECLA website.
5. The Committee liaises with other Society Committees and/or Society staff to provide the in-house solicitor perspective to submissions and practice notes, as the need arises.

In-House and Public Sector Committee Strategy 2024/25

Profile

1. Establish a clear picture of who the in-house and public sector community are and what they want.
2. Improve awareness of Law Society supports for in-house and public sector community.
3. Enhance profile and standing of in-house and public sector community in the Law Society.

Expertise

1. Enhance knowledge across the in-house and public sector community with focus on selected theme for 2024: 'Innovating and Leading in Transformative Times'.
2. Provide expert input to the Law Society to support its exercise of its representative, educational and regulatory roles for the in-house and public sector community.

Leadership

1. Support in-house and public sector community to manage their career path at all states of their career and inspire about the potential within an in-house career.
2. Represent the in-house and public sector community.
3. Encourage networking across the in-house and public sector community.

Contact Us

If there is a matter of 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.

The process for appointing new committee members begins each year in June. If interested in becoming a member of the Inhouse and Public Sector Committee, you should submit a CV and cover letter via email to the Committee Secretary. Your application will be reviewed over the summer months by the Committee Chair and Vice-Chair and sent to the incoming President for consideration. Results of this process are communicated via email after the November Council Meeting.