Why Choose Us
As legal adviser of choice, we are more than just a law firm; we are your trusted counsellors in navigating the complex landscape of legal matters.
Celebrating Over 15 Years in Business
Established since 2006, our firm has steadily expanded its presence across the Irish market. We pride ourselves on fostering enduring relationships and ensuring commercial security for numerous SMEs and multinational organisations throughout Ireland, across a wide range of industry, including healthcare, manufacturing, construction, financial services, logistics and retail.
Excellence in Service
Our commitment to excellence drives us to adapt and deliver precise, responsive advice tailored to the demands of today’s dynamic market. Rooted in our unwavering dedication, we consistently follow four key principles:
Four Key Principles
- Real time engagement
We prioritise immediate and meaningful interaction with our clients.
- Commercially focused decisions
Delivering advice that drives business success.
- Practical Solutions
Offering actionable advice for complex legal challenges.
- Client driven
Placing your needs at the core of our decisions and responses.
As a technology-oriented law firm, we eliminate outdated hurdles associated with the legal profession. We are proud to be one of the pioneering paperless law firms in Ireland, embracing a cloud-based operation and adapting new methods of streamlining and perfecting our processes. This forward-thinking approach breaks conventional barriers, allowing seamless collaboration and real-time engagement with clients across Ireland.
With solicitors located across Ireland, we transcend geographical limitations. This versatility is reflected in our diverse clientele, spanning both domestic and international entities.
Our aim is to provide more than legal advice; we offer strategic partnership and unwavering support, ensuring your peace of mind in all legal matters.
EMPLOYMENT LAW SPECIALISTS
At our forefront, we specialise in employment law, striving for exceptional expertise. Our Principal, Mr. Alastair Purdy S.C, is a leading authority in this field, having authored four books and regularly conducting national seminars on employment law updates.
Recognised Excellence
Our commitment to excellence has garnered continuous recognition at the Annual Irish Law Awards. Through the years, we have secured the title for the Best Employment Law Firm in Connacht, Munster, and
Ulster in 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023. Additionally, we were honoured as the Employment Law Firm of the Year for 2022. Furthermore, we’ve been acknowledged among Ireland’s top law firms, in the Independent’s Best Law Firms of 2023 in Ireland.
On-Call Service
We offer clients the opportunity to take part unique on-call service designed for organisations, providing real-time support for all employment-related issues and HR matters. Through an annual fixed fee, our service ensures immediate and tailored solutions, aiming to be an integral part of your business. To find out more information, click here.
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
Managing Partner
Learn More >
ALASTAIR PURDY
Managing PartnerGet 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
Partner
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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:
- Mary Joyce-v-Board of Management of Colaiste Iognaid [2015] IEHC 809
- An employee –v-A Drug Company ADJ-00004808, a claim for penalisation under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, which at the time, resulted in one of the largest awards of the Workplace Relations Commission
- United Parcel Service Of Ireland Ltd v Mr Kevin Roberts EDA2136
- Cope Limited T/a Cope Galway v Ms Leigh Bell UDD2145
DON MCGANN
Partner
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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.
DON MCGANN
Partner
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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.
ROBIN HYDE
Associate>
Robin Hyde
Solicitor
Get In Contact
087 947 5828
rhyde@purdyandco.ie
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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.
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
WE ARE A NATIONAL LAW FIRM, WITH SOLICITORS IN DUBLIN, GALWAY & LIMERICK
Get in touch with one of our solicitors today.