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As a technology-oriented law firm, we eliminate outdated hurdles associated with the legal profession.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

ALASTAIR PURDY

Managing Partner

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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: 

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.

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.

Robin Hyde

ROBIN HYDE

Associate>

Q

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.

Irish Law Awards 2022 Winner Award Image
Sunday Independent Best Law Firms 2023 Award Image

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

WE ARE A NATIONAL LAW FIRM, WITH SOLICITORS IN DUBLIN, GALWAY & LIMERICK

Get in touch with one of our solicitors today.

091 56 57 65

info@purdyandco.ie

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