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Expertise

Niamh Counihan is Matheson's Pro Bono Partner and Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, dividing her time equally between her two roles.

In her role as the firm’s first Pro Bono Partner, Niamh is responsible for working with management to refine Matheson’s pro bono strategy and for leading the pro bono initiatives and collaborative projects that engage our lawyers and our clients in supporting the communities in which we work and live. 

As a partner and Director Legal and Regulatory Affairs within Matheson's Risk Management Team since 2016, Niamh works closely with a team of multi-disciplinary specialists to provide legal and regulatory advice to the firm.  She advises Matheson on all aspects of risk management, compliance and  professional standards. 

Prior to be being appointed Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Niamh was a partner in Matheson's Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency Group within the Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department.  Niamh has extensive knowledge and experience of contentious and non-contentious corporate restructuring and insolvency law matters and commercial litigation.  She is experienced in advising and resolving complex and contentious disputes. 

Niamh is a member of the Pro Bono Pledge Steering Group which supports Public Interest Law Alliance in growing and developing Pro Bono Pledge Ireland and provides strategic direction to the operation and development of the Pledge.  She has been a member of the Business Law Committee of the Law Society of Ireland since 2015 and lectures with the Law Society of Ireland.  

Experience Highlights

Niamh’s experience includes advising:

    • on professional standards and compliance with the regulations applicable to solicitors
    • on confidentiality, data privacy and information security
    • on the contractual terms of the contracts which the firm enters into
    • on anti-money laundering and compliance
    • companies, shareholders, directors, financial institutions, creditor groups, liquidators, receivers and examiners
    • in relation to mitigating insolvency risk in the context of commercial transactions
    • on high profile cross-border insolvency and restructuring matters and Commercial Court disputes
    Accolades

    Niamh has previously been recognised in Women in Business Law, European Legal 500, Chambers Global and Europe, and IFLR1000. 

    Education

    University College Dublin (Diploma in Arbitration)

    University College Cork (BCL)