The Law Society has congratulated all those who have been granted Patents of Precedence by the Government, earning the title of Senior Counsel (SC), and in particular the seven solicitors who have earned the new designation.

One of the solicitors named as a new Senior Counsel was the past-president of the Law Society Michelle Ní Longáin (pictured).

The President of the Law Society Barry MacCarthy said: “We are proud to congratulate our seven solicitor colleagues who were granted Patents of Precedence this year – including past-president of the Law Society Michelle Ní Longáin.

“I have seen first-hand the legal expertise, high standards, and leadership demonstrated by many solicitors appointed Senior Counsel since 2020,” he added.

The designation of Senior Counsel has been awarded to solicitors only over the last five years. In that time, 45 solicitors have been recognised for their legal expertise, skills and knowledge.

The seven solicitors granted Patents of Precedence in 2024 are:

• David Bergin (O’Connor & Bergin Solicitors),
• John Cahir (A&L Goodbody LLP),
• Myra Garrett (William Fry LLP),
• David Herlihy (A&O Shearman),
• Marco Hickey (LK Shields LLP),
• John Meade (John Meade Solicitors), and
• Michelle Ní Longáin (ByrneWallace LLP).

The barristers are:

• Claire Collins,
• John Francis Hayden,
• Eamon Marray,
• Lorcan Connolly,
• Ciara Daly,
• Tabitha Wood,
• Susan Ahern,
• Donal O’Sullivan,
• Gareth Compton,
• Carl Hanahoe,
• Alison Keirse,
• Eoin Lawlor,
• Peter Shanley,
• Gráinne Duggan,
• Michael D Hourigan,
• Jarlath Ryan,
• Aoife Carroll,
• Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing,
• Anthony Hanrahan,
• Louise Reilly,
• David Whelan,
• Barry M Ward,
• Frank Crean,
• John Berry,
• Colin Smith,
• David Fennelly, and
• Fionnuala O’Sullivan.