Why Choose Us

Our outlook is to provide pragmatic and strategic advices in commercially driven areas, so to ensure the highest standards for businesses and private clients.

Celebrating Over 15 Years in Business

Alastair Purdy & Co was founded in 2006 by firms principal, Alastair Purdy. Since the firms inception, its presence across the Irish market has grown substantially – developing strong relationships and providing commercial security for a number of SME’s and multinational organisation’s throughout Ireland.
Our firm prides itself on its ability to adapt its services when necessary so as to be able to provide our clients with the most accurate and reactive advices in todays market. Together with a consistent and loyal approach, our firm continues to grow year on year. In achieving such, our firm has endeavoured to consistently employ four key principals:

Four Key Principles

  • Real time engagement
  • Commercially focused decisions
  • Practical Solutions
  • Client driven

As a technology orientated law firm, we aim eliminate out dated hurdles often associated with the profession. This concise and intentional approach is best represented by the fact that we are one of the first paperless law firms in Ireland. Equally, by implementing a cloud based operation – we have removed conventional barriers, facilitating the opportunity to collaborate and provide real time engagement for clients across Ireland. With Solicitors in Dublin, Galway and Limerick, we are not limited by jurisdiction. This is best illustrated by the dispersement of both our domestic and foreign clients.

EMPLOYMENT LAW SPECIALISTS

We are a leading business law firm, specialising in the area of employment law. As experts, we strive for excellence. This focus emanates from the fact that the firm’s Principal, Mr. Alastair Purdy, who is one of the country’s foremost experts in the area of employment law. Alastair has also authored three books on the area of employment law and each year conducts seminars on employment law updates across the country.

The firm’s consistently high standards have been routinely recognised at national level at the Annual Irish Law Awards for Best Employment Law Firm in Connacht, Munster and Ulster in 2015, 2018 and 2019.

In addition, we provide a unique and innovative on – call service for organisations so as to manage and support each aspect of employment relationship. For an annual fixed fee, this service offers an on demand and real time respond rate, to actively deal with any employment based issues and HR matters. As such, we do not consider ourselves as simply your solicitor’s firm but as an integral part of your business, providing tailor made solutions for all aspects of your organisation.

Paperless Law Firm

With increasing costs and the negative effects posed on the environment, we at Alastair Purdy & Co began to revaluate the way we delivered our services. Therefore, in 2019, we as business took the decision to eliminate paper in its entirety.

Meet The Team

Our team is dedicated to provide services in a friendly, business-like manner, always keeping our clients fully informed through a philosophy of prevention rather than detection.

Alastair Purdy

ALASTAIR PURDY

Managing Partner

Learn More >

Q

ALASTAIR PURDY

Managing Partner

Get In Contact

alastair@purdyandco.ie

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Areas Of Expertise

Employment

Corporate

Overview

Alastair began his early career with IBEC where he represented both indigenous and multinational companies in all areas of employment law. He has held senior positions in industry, most notably as HR Director (Manufacturing), with responsibility for Health Safety and Environmental, World Wide, for Analog Devices. He also lectured on strategic HR at the Irish Management Institute and Employment Law in the Law Society. After leaving industry Alastair started his own solicitors practice with the purpose of providing practical advice to employers. Today the practice has offices in Dublin and Galway providing expert advice to employers nationwide.

Alastair acts for clients with various employment claims such as unfair dismissals, equality/discrimination, occupational stress, health and safety, corporate governance, trade disputes, industrial relations and general litigation. Alastair also assists clients with restructuring and redundancy programmes and advises on corporate transactions such as mergers and acquisitions.
Alastair has extensive experience of advising clients across a range of contentious and non-contentious matters with an emphasis on employment litigation, commercial litigation and shareholders’ disputes. Alastair also advises on the law as it relates to, disputes and investigations concerning public and private bodies, judicial review and disputes particularly as they relate to the board and chief executives of companies and contentious issues as they impact on Health and Safety law. Alastair is vastly experienced in dealing with and defending cases where companies and directors are being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Authority for alleged breaches of Health and Safety matters including indictable prosecutions following fatalities on construction sites.

On the advisory side Alastair provides advice to local and multinational companies with a particular focus on high level contentious and board related disputes.

Alastair generally practices in the area of dispute resolution and has been involved in many mediations.

Publications

Alastair is widely published in the area of employment law. He published his first book on employment law in 2006 and a second edition of this book titled “Termination of Employment – A Practical Guide for Employers” was completed in 2012. He completed his third book titled “Equality Law in the Workplace” in 2015. He is widely recognised as one Ireland’s leading Practitioners in the area of employment law and HR.

Siobhan McGowan

SIOBHAN MCGOWAN

Partner
>

Q

Siobhan McGowan

Partner

Get In Contact

smcgowan@purdyandco.ie

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Areas Of Expertise

Employment

Litigation

Property

Commercial

Overview

Siobhan McGowan is a Partner with almost 20 years practice experience. Siobhan specialises in Employment Law and represents both employers and employees in a wide range of sectors on all aspects of both contentious and non contentious cases and issues arising in Industrial Relations and Human Resources.

Siobhan offers practical advice to parties on their legal obligations and has considerable experience in dealing with cases for employees and defending complex matters for employers before the Work Place Relations Commission, Labour Court and High Court.

In tandem with employment litigation, Siobhan also acts for clients in Plaintiff litigation to include road traffic accidents claims, workplace accidents, contractual disagreements and several other areas of contentious litigation.

Siobhan is a graduate of the National University of Ireland, Galway. She holds a B.A. (Hons) degree, LLB (Hons) post graduate degree and a diploma in Employment Law from the Law Society of Ireland.

Siobhan also placed 1st in the Law Society of Ireland’s Commercial Law exam.
Siobhan McGowan is a member of both the Law Society of Ireland and is registered to practice in England and Wales.

Notable Works

While dealing with large national and multi national clients as well as acting for individuals, Siobhan McGowan has been successfully involved in several seminal cases, including: 

Fiona Burke

FIONA BURKE

Associate>

Q

Fiona Burke

Associate

Get In Contact

fiona@purdyandco.ie

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Areas Of Expertise

Property

Overview

Fiona Burke is a native of Galway who joined Alastair Purdy & Co in 2014. She has over 29 years of experience in the legal profession, having previously worked in Limerick. She is a graduate of the University of Limerick and holds a Diploma in Legal Lawyering and Ethics from the Law Society of Ireland. Fiona works three days in the Galway Office and two days in Limerick providing a service to many clients both new and old in the Limerick area.

Fiona’s work is predominately in the area of residential conveyancing in which she acts on behalf of both Purchasers and Vendors. She has advised and acted for developments in relation to the sale of residential developments. She advises on voluntary transfers of property between family members.

Fiona also specialises in the area of Probate, regularly drafting Wills and providing practical advice on legal and financial issues. She deals with the administration of both testate and intestate estates. She also advises in relation to preparation and execution of Enduring Power of Attorney, Wards of Court Application.

Don McGann

DON MCGANN

Partner
>

Q

Don McGann

Partner

Get In Contact

dmcgann@purdyandco.ie

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Areas Of Expertise

Dispute Resolution

Litigation

Employment

Overview

Don, a Tipperary native, obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Environmental Science, and L.L.B (Hons) Degree from NUI Galway. He qualified as a Solicitor in 2010. He also holds a Diploma in both Environmental and Planning Law, and Employment Law.

Don has obtained extensive experience in litigation, dispute resolution and investigations, having practiced in a wide range of areas. He has litigated numerous actions, at all Court levels, including various Tribunals, representing Plaintiffs and Defendants.

Don commenced his career assisting the State Solicitor, in County Galway West, prosecuting cases on behalf of the DPP, various Government departments, the Revenue Commissioners and An Post. Don also litigated a number of complex injury cases for both the Plaintiff and the Defendant.

Thereafter, Don worked in the Private Client Department of one of the country’s largest firms, specialising in the area of Plaintiff litigation. Due to his diversity, and his advocacy skills, he also litigated the firm’s Criminal, Licensing and for a short period their Tusla files.

Since moving back to Galway, Don has specialised in Defence litigation, and Employment Law. Don has advised, and continues to advise a wide variety of Insurers, UK underwriters, self-insured business, involved in the Food Industry, Financial Sector, Construction Industry, Care Industry, Aviation Industry and Bar and Nightclub industry. Don has advised these clients’, in respect of road traffic incidents (including fraudulent claims), employers’ liability, product liability, Health and Safety law, and public liability at all court levels. In particular, Don advises on work place incidents, and bullying claims.

In conjunction with Alastair, and the rest of the AP & Co. team, Don participates in advising employers in respect of all areas of their employee relations. In particular, interactions with employees, from inception right through to Defending an Employment Law action in the WRC or Labour Court, and subsequent Bullying claim or Personal Injury Action in the Circuit or High Court.

Of particular note, Don and the team are actively advising businesses in relation to Data Protection and Protected Disclosures.

Fiona Burke

FIONA BURKE

Associate>

Q

Fiona Burke

Associate

Get In Contact

fiona@purdyandco.ie

View on Linkedin

Areas Of Expertise

Property

Overview

Fiona Burke is a native of Galway who joined Alastair Purdy & Co in 2014. She has over 29 years of experience in the legal profession, having previously worked in Limerick. She is a graduate of the University of Limerick and holds a Diploma in Legal Lawyering and Ethics from the Law Society of Ireland. Fiona works three days in the Galway Office and two days in Limerick providing a service to many clients both new and old in the Limerick area.

Fiona’s work is predominately in the area of residential conveyancing in which she acts on behalf of both Purchasers and Vendors. She has advised and acted for developments in relation to the sale of residential developments. She advises on voluntary transfers of property between family members.

Fiona also specialises in the area of Probate, regularly drafting Wills and providing practical advice on legal and financial issues. She deals with the administration of both testate and intestate estates. She also advises in relation to preparation and execution of Enduring Power of Attorney, Wards of Court Application.

Don McGann

DON MCGANN

Partner
>

Q

Don McGann

Partner

Get In Contact

dmcgann@purdyandco.ie

View on Linkedin

Areas Of Expertise

Dispute Resolution

Litigation

Employment

Overview

Don, a Tipperary native, obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Environmental Science, and L.L.B (Hons) Degree from NUI Galway. He qualified as a Solicitor in 2010. He also holds a Diploma in both Environmental and Planning Law, and Employment Law.

Don has obtained extensive experience in litigation, dispute resolution and investigations, having practiced in a wide range of areas. He has litigated numerous actions, at all Court levels, including various Tribunals, representing Plaintiffs and Defendants.

Don commenced his career assisting the State Solicitor, in County Galway West, prosecuting cases on behalf of the DPP, various Government departments, the Revenue Commissioners and An Post. Don also litigated a number of complex injury cases for both the Plaintiff and the Defendant.

Thereafter, Don worked in the Private Client Department of one of the country’s largest firms, specialising in the area of Plaintiff litigation. Due to his diversity, and his advocacy skills, he also litigated the firm’s Criminal, Licensing and for a short period their Tusla files.

Since moving back to Galway, Don has specialised in Defence litigation, and Employment Law. Don has advised, and continues to advise a wide variety of Insurers, UK underwriters, self-insured business, involved in the Food Industry, Financial Sector, Construction Industry, Care Industry, Aviation Industry and Bar and Nightclub industry. Don has advised these clients’, in respect of road traffic incidents (including fraudulent claims), employers’ liability, product liability, Health and Safety law, and public liability at all court levels. In particular, Don advises on work place incidents, and bullying claims.

In conjunction with Alastair, and the rest of the AP & Co. team, Don participates in advising employers in respect of all areas of their employee relations. In particular, interactions with employees, from inception right through to Defending an Employment Law action in the WRC or Labour Court, and subsequent Bullying claim or Personal Injury Action in the Circuit or High Court.

Of particular note, Don and the team are actively advising businesses in relation to Data Protection and Protected Disclosures.

Robin Hyde

ROBIN HYDE

Associate>

Q

Robin Hyde

Solicitor

Get In Contact

087 947 5828

rhyde@purdyandco.ie

View on Linkedin

Areas Of Expertise

Employment

Corporate

Data Protection

Overview

Robin is a solicitor operating primarily in the firm's employment law department. He advises across a wide range of both contentious and non-contentious employment issues. As per his portfolio, Robin's experiences extends to assisting SMEs, lending instructions and senior executives.

Robin commenced his traineeship with Alastair Purdy & Co in March 2018 and subsequently qualified in 2020. Throughout his tenure with the firm Robin has had significant involvement in drafting legal submissions and advocating on behalf of clients before the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court.

In addition, Robin has extensive knowledge across a variety of employment law areas including:

  • Unfair dismissals
  • Retirement/ Age discrimination
  • Disability discrimination/ Reasonable accommodation
  • Gender discrimination/ Pregnancy discrimination
  • Working time/ Rest breaks/ Annual leave
  • Protected disclosures/ whistleblowing
  • Remote working
  • Contracts of employment
  • Severance agreements
  • Workplace policies/ Employee handbooks
  • Payment of wages
  • Health and safety
  • Employee absence
  • Data protection/ GDPR
  • Bullying/ Harassment/ Sexual Harassment in the workplace
  • Redundancy

 Robin is also in a position to advise employers and employees on all matters concerning data protection and GDPR regulation within the workplace. Robins experience in this area extends to data access requests, CCTV, transferring data outside of the EEA, medical data and remote working.

As part of our firms Data Protection Solution - Robin is able to assist employers on executing complex data subject access requests. Click here for more information.

Separate to the above, Robin contributes to the firm's corporate department, assisting the firm's principal with company sales, shareholder and director disputes and drafting commercial contracts.

 

National University of Galway (B Corp Law)

National University of Galway (LLB)

Key Features

Paperless
Law Firm

Employment
Law Specialists

Technology
Focused

On-Call
Subscription

Awards & Recognition

We have consistantly high standards and have been routinely recognised at national level at the Annual Irish Law Awards.

Employment Law Firm/Lawyer of the year 2018

Employment Law Firm/Lawyer of the year 2019

Employment Law Firm/Lawyer of the year 2021

Publications

Alastair is widely published in the area of employment law.
He is widely recognised as one Ireland’s leading Practitioners in the area of employment law and HR.

Termination Of Employment

– A Practical Guide For Employers

Equality Law In The Workplace

Testimonials

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Fiona Burke has assisted me on different projects over the last few years. On each occasion she provided a very professional and efficient service and I have recommended Fiona and Purdy and Co to numerous colleagues and clients. I am very happy with the service Fiona has provided and I would have no hesitation in making contact should an occasion arise where I need Purdy and Co’s services in the future.

Anne Marie O’Reilly
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Fiona Burke looked after the purchase of our house. As we are first time buyers, this was an exciting process for us. Fiona was so down to earth and explained every step in clear detail. We found our house in November and were in by the start of January. I can't recommend Fiona enough!

Paul O’Carroll
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The service provided by Fiona in Purdy and Co was second to none. We dealt with Fiona in relation to a contract issue with a hotel and she could not have been more helpful. She explained everything in simple terms and her responses to emails were very efficient. She took the stress out of the situation. I would strongly recommend Fiona and Purdy and Co to anyone who needs legal advice or assistance.

Elaine Lawless
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Fiona Burke was my Solicitor who dealt with the probate of my father’s estate. As my dad passed away whilst living abroad and had no Will, this probate was quite complex. Despite this, Fiona finalised everything within a couple of months. Fiona dealt with matters in a professional, efficient, calm and kind manner. She explained everything in detail throughout the process and kept me fully informed at all stages. I would highly recommend Fiona.

Priscilla O’Carroll
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Excellent service! Money well spent! I highly recommend Fiona, she took all the pressure and stress from me in selling my home. She shared her wealth of experience and was very personally in her contact from start to finish. Fiona was very accessible throughout the sale and I would likely recommend her to my friends/family/colleagues into the future.

Property Seller
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We would like to thank Alastair Purdy & Co, for the professional and outstanding legal and HR services that their employment team have provided to us for many years now. For businesses today navigating employment law issues is tough, demanding and fast-paced. Through our working relationship with Alastair Purdy & Co, we are able to foresee, understand and solve these problems in accordance with our company needs, expectations, and they are able to do so in an efficient and excellent manner.
It is always a great comfort to us as a company to know we can rely upon Alastair Purdy & Co for legal advice and judgment.
On a more personal note, we very much enjoy working with Alastair Purdy & Co, especially with Robin Hyde . His dedication, concern and interest in the Company is very much appreciated. In summary, Alastair Purdy & Co have earned our most enthusiastic recommendation and are very pleased to have them as a part of our legal team.

ALS Geochemistry Ireland
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Purdy & Co were originally introduced to Blenders on the basis of a strong recommendation from a professional HR Manager. As a small company, we required comprehensive support to navigate all aspects of people management. Alastair and the team have been instrumental in assisting Blenders with practical legal advice that recognises the importance of staff whilst being practical from a commercial perspective. Their advice is frequently sought by us in developing policies and procedures that are commensurate with our business and the ever-changing legal landscape.

Harry Simpson
Blenders Unlimited
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I cannot recommend Alastair highly enough. His commitment to my case, his knowledge, his turn around times, his support, engagements and personability are first class. He has been right by my side in meeting the challenges; an ally as well as being an excellent solicitor.

Niall Barry
Dycon Limited
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We have used the services of Alastair Purdy and Co for the past year. We find AP & Co to be very knowledgeable in all areas of Employment Law . They always provide practical advice in a decisive manner with exceptionally fast turnaround time. We would not hesitate in recommending AP &Co as the first port of call for Employment Law advice.

Language Learning School
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We would highly recommend Alastair Purdy & Co. Solicitors in Galway. We contacted them after having a fatality in the workplace and found them extremely helpful throughout the process they were always just a phone call away and put us to ease throughout the process, we dealt with Alastair himself and then Donald Mc Gann, we found both men extremely helpful, Donald dealt with our case and we would 100% recommend him, his knowledge and experience is second to none and his general being made us feel so at easy inside and outside the court room, thank you for helping us through an extremely difficult time in our lives. We can’t praise you enough.

Elaine Kinghan
E&R Construction

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Get in touch with one of our solicitors today.

091 56 57 65

info@purdyandco.ie

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