Meet Our Alumni

Our law graduates acquire knowledge and transferable skills through their law studies that ensure that they are highly employable in many sectors. Many of our law graduates have pursued traditional law careers practicing as solicitors or barristers while others have gone on to work in a wide range of areas including Banking, Accountancy, Tax Consultancy, Journalism, Academia, Public Sector, Human Resources, Legal Research and many more.

Lynn Cramer | Tax Partner, Maples Group Dublin

I completed the Bachelor of Corporate Law in 2004. We had fantastic lecturers and their passion for their legal specialties brought the subjects to life. It was fascinating to see the practical application of the legal concepts we had spent three years studying. The internship cemented my decision to train as a solicitor and in 2009 I qualified as a solicitor with the same firm. My path to partnership started with spending two years as a trainee solicitor gaining practical experience while also completing the Professional Practice Course in the Law Society. When I qualified as a solicitor I had already determined that my future lay in tax as I found tax work rewarding. I spent the next three years attending weekend lectures in order to qualify as a Chartered Tax Advisor with the Irish Taxation Institute. I was thrilled to join the Maples Group in 2011 and was promoted to partner in 2019. My practice is very varied and no two days are the same. It's safe to say that the early lessons I learned throughout my Corporate Law degree have served me well.

Conor Stitt | Public Policy Manager with Facebook

I studied Legal Studies and I. T. as part of my BA degree, graduating in 2012 and the LLB programme, graduating in 2014. My career since my studies started with students' unions where I was a Vice President/Education officer with NUI Galway Students' Union and Vice President with USI. I then went on to work in the Oireachtas as a policy advisor with TDs and Senators and recently, I've joined Facebook working with the EU Affairs team on online safety and content regulation.  Studying law in NUI Galway taught me how law, when effective, can shape our society to deliver justice and fairness. The appreciation of meaningful law, instilled by my lecturers, provided me a depth of respect that I applied to laws I could influence within the Oireachtas.  I distinctly remember studying IT Law as part of my LLB degree learning of the challenges of regulating the Internet across jurisdictions and many of those challenges remain today. The interest I gained in learning about this is what motivated me to move my career to tech years later. 

Rowan Hickie | Project Coordinator at GlobalChild

During my LLM in International Human Rights, I had the opportunity to learn from incredible professors at the Irish Centre for Human Rights while also exploring various areas of international human rights law. Through the program, I discovered my passion for children's rights which has shaped the trajectory of my career. After finishing my LLM in 2021, I returned home to Canada. I quickly found work as a researcher for the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, where I conducted research on both Canadian and international human rights law. While working at the Centre, I also volunteered with the international children's rights organization GlobalChild on their InspiRights project. After volunteering with GlobalChild for 6 months, I applied for and secured a Project Coordinator position with the organization. In this new role, I will be responsible for coordinating the InspiRights project and preparing academic research papers with the organization's Director. My LLM degree has been instrumental in my career, providing me with a strong foundation of skills and a wide network of peers. I am excited to use the skills I learned during my LLM throughout my career.

Cassie Roddy-Mullineaux | Data Rights Solicitor, AWO Agency

I completed the BA and LLB at University of Galway and trained as a solicitor before returning to University of Galway to study the LLM in International Human Rights. Completing the LLM in International Human Rights completely changed my outlook on legal practice and how I wanted to contribute as a lawyer. Through the Irish Centre for Human Rights partnership with Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), I secured a legal research placement working on business-related human rights abuses. I also had the opportunity to participate in the Human Rights Law Clinic module where I worked on the ‘My Data Rights’ project, an online resource to help survivors of historical and institutional abuses in Ireland use the GDPR to access their personal data. I'm extremely grateful to the Irish Centre for Human Rights and University of Galway School of Law for the generous support of the staff and community who afforded me so many opportunities during the LLM and have truly helped to shape my legal career. The knowledge and skills I gained in the LLM no doubt helped me to secure my current role as a Data Rights Lawyer at AWO, where I advise clients on a wide range of data and privacy issues.

Malhar Desai | Client Policy Associate at Glass Lewis & Co.

I decided to pursue the LLM (International & Comparative Business Law) as the program offered the option of doing either a thesis or work placement. During my masters, we had a seminar series of guest lectures, one of which was delivered by Prof. Dennis Driscoll, the leading expert in Corporate Governance and ESG in Ireland. He emphasised how Corporate Governance is a niche area of law and not many people have the expertise in it. Inspired by him, I decided to do my thesis in Corporate Governance. Soon after finishing my thesis, I was at the University of Galway career fair when an HR representative from my current employer suggested I apply for an internship with the company after reading about my thesis and interest in corporate governance. I initially secured a 3-month paid internship. I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a research associate and dwelled deeper into the world of corporate governance. My internship led me in securing a permanent contract in a different department. Pursuing my master's here turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life as the lectures, seminars, and career events equipped me with the necessary skills and directed me toward work opportunities.

Amy Grant | Healthcare Solicitor

Following my graduation, I secured an internship with a leading firm in Limerick where I worked and developed my legal professional skills while also studying for, and completing, my FE1 exams. I was then offered a role as a Trainee Solicitor in the same firm, gaining experience in different departments within the firm before going on to attend Blackhall Place for my first stint of professional training. I finished my final trainee rotation and qualified as a Solicitor in December 2020. I have been working as a Healthcare Solicitor since then, predominately in the defence of personal injury and clinical negligence actions. I would wholeheartedly recommend studying law at NUIG to anyone. Our lecturers were all very engaging and approachable. The class sizes were also relatively small which meant we easily got to know others on our course and make friends. This has been invaluable for every stage after NUIG, be it for FE1 support systems right to having multiple contacts in a professional capacity. The Corporate Law and LLB courses covered all the topics required for my FE1 exams which meant I had a strong basis in starting my studies for these exams.

Máire Whelan | Attorney General Máire Whelan SC

Ms. Justice Máire Whelan of the Court of Appeal is an NUIG law graduate (BA 1978, LLB 1980), where she studied in President Michael D Higgins’ sociology and political science class. Máire grew up in Kinvara, County Galway. Called to the Bar in 1985 and made senior counsel in 2005, she operated a mixed practice, including family law, based in the Law Library in Dublin. She studied in London and holds a qualification in international law. She served as the 30th Attorney General of Ireland from 2011 to 2017 and was the first woman to hold the office. Ms. Justice Whelan was appointed to the Court of Appeal in June 2017. She is a former advisor to the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas and served as chairperson of the Free Legal Advice Centres (Flac). She has also served on the Property Registration Authority and as vice chair of the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for Ireland. She co-authored 'The National Asset Management Agency Act 2009 - A Reference Guide' with Mark Kennedy and Feargus Ó Raghallaigh, and has particular expertise in property, conveyancing, equity and trust law.

Patrick Conboy | Executive Legal Officer to the Chief Justice

In my current role, I provide legal and executive support to the Chief Justice and other members of the Supreme Court. In addition, I act as a Liaison Officer for a number of European judicial networks and bodies. After graduating from NUI Galway, I took up a role in a Government Department working as the principal Legal Researcher. As part of a dedicated team within the Department, I was tasked with assisting the progress of the Companies Bill though the various stages of the legislative process. I subsequently went on to be a Judicial Researcher for two Judges of the Supreme Court. After working in a company secretarial role in the private sector, I returned to the Courts Service to take up my current position. Studying law at NUI Galway empowered me with the knowledge and skills to progress on the career path I have taken to date. Specifically, undertaking the LL.M. in Public Law enabled me to gain a deeper understanding as to how our laws are shaped.

Alexandre Neuman | Inter-institutional Relations at the European Commission

I graduated from the LLM (International Criminal Law) at University of Galway in 2016. In search of international experiences, I began my career with a series of internships in several countries. For six months, I supported an NGO undertaking legal research about the Syrian conflict in the Golan Heights. Then, I spent several months in Nouakchott, Mauritania, managing a project for IOM (International Organisation for Migration). As I have always desired to work for the general interest, I succeeded to join the European Commission through an internship opportunity. I now work on home affairs issues (notably migration and Schengen), following the political and technical discussions at EU level and taking part in the decision-making process. Studying international law at University of Galway gave me the opportunity to meet incredible, passionate people from different cultures and backgrounds. It also allowed me to develop insights into the global legal system, understandings of geopolitical conflicts, and interests in peace-building, international criminal justice, and humanitarian law. In addition, it was particularly fascinating to study and live in this exciting environment.

Roisin Fitzpatrick | Partner in Deloitte

I completed my bachelor's degree in civil law in 2011. Studying law helped me understand the role of law in our society and the importance of everyone understanding and having access to the law. I was interested in seeing how I could use law in helping others. After graduating from NUI Galway, I was lucky enough to be a participant on the Washington Ireland Programme where I interned in the Law Library of Congress in Washington DC. From there, I took up a role as research analyst with the NUIG Centre for Disability Law and Policy. As part of that role, we established the Disability Legal Advice Clinic. I was then offered a training contract with KOD Lyons, a leading criminal law and human rights practice in Dublin. I stayed at KOD Lyons as a criminal defence solicitor before moving into corporate immigration. I worked in a US practice in the London office initially before returning home to Deloitte in Dublin to lead our Irish immigration practice. As a partner in Deloitte, I lead our corporate immigration team in Global Employer Services – supporting multinationals and Irish companies with their Irish immigration needs.

Paul Barry | Legal Counsel, Disputes & Reputation at Revolut

I completed the Bachelor of Corporate Law at NUI Galway in 2009 and the LL.B in 2010. I then moved to Bristol to undertake the Legal Practice Course. I worked for two years at DAC Beachcroft as a paralegal before moving to the TLT LLP Law firm, where I later qualified as a solicitor specialising in professional negligence and financial services disputes for some of the UK’s biggest banks. I currently work as Legal Counsel in the Disputes and Reputation team at Revolut.  Studying Law at NUI Galway provided the perfect basis for my career path as my degrees and electives were recognised as a qualifying law degree in England. This meant I did not require any additional academic qualifications to commence the Legal Practice Course (LPC).

Rachel King | HR Generalist

I studied Corporate Law at NUI Galway and graduated in 2011. After graduating, I moved into insurance underwriting for a number of years before deciding on the path of Human Resources. My first HR role was with an Irish Healthcare Company where I gained a vast knowledge of HR operations. From there I joined a manufacturing multinational where I experienced a more layered and international aspect to HR. I entered Shannon Airport Authority in 2018, where I currently work as a HR Generalist. The Corporate Law degree provided me with the foundation and education in areas that helped me pursue a career in human resources. My background and knowledge are in areas such as employment law and alternative dispute resolution, which gave me a distinct advantage when taking this career path. My degree has always been a talking point at any interview. Law gave me the ability and tools that I still utilise on a daily basis in my working life. My many debates in class instilled me with a way of thinking that has remained with me since graduation. This Degree is an excellent foundation for a person to build their career in the business world whether it be HR or General Management.

Kathy Murphy | Law Clerk

After graduating from NUI Galway I applied for the J-1 Graduate Visa which provided me the opportunity to move to the U.S and intern in a related field to my legal studies. As the LLB is considered a specialised professional degree- this has allowed me to continue working in the U.S as a specialty worker. I am currently working as a law clerk at an immigration firm in New York, focusing on asylum cases before immigration courts for people fleeing persecution in their home countries. Every day I am applying the principles from my legal education to assist in obtaining the best relief for clients. I assist attorneys in legal research as well as drafting motions and legal briefs before the immigration courts. We have submitted habeas corpus writs during the pandemic to secure our clients release from unsanitary conditions. We have challenged Attorney General decisions which threatened the scope of our clients’ ability to seek asylum. The LLB has allowed me not only the chance to live and work in a different common law jurisdiction but to serve a vulnerable population, advocating for those fleeing persecution in a meaningful way.

Paul Fahy | Partner, A&L Goodbody

Paul Fahy is an NUI Galway law graduate (BCorp Law 1994-1998). He qualified into the Firm's tax department in 2002. Between 2003 and 2008, Paul worked in the tax department of Slaughter and May in London and re-joined the tax department of A&L Goodbody in 2008. Paul specialises in corporate tax and has extensive experience of advising domestic and international clients on the tax aspects of public and private mergers & acquisitions, group restructurings, inward investment projects, securitisations, derivatives and structured products. Along with John Whelan, he was appointed in January 2012 head of a new US office, in Palo Alto, California, and will regularly spend time with A&L Goodbody's clients in Silicon Valley, the broader Bay Area, Seattle and throughout the West Coast. Paul is a recognised market leader in his field with significant experience in the area of foreign direct investment, particularly by US companies into Ireland.

Colm Kirke | Clerical Officer, Legal Aid Board

I recently graduated from the LLM in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict which I completed over the 2019/2020 academic year. After graduating, I secured a two-month unpaid internship with the Irish Council for Prisoner’s Overseas in October 2020 which provided me with invaluable insight into the workings of a non-profit NGO. In September 2021, I started working as a clerical officer at the Legal Aid Board’s Law Centre in Longford, where I gained valuable legal and administrative experience. The LLM reaffirmed my belief that international jurisprudence must be respected and enforced to prevent loss of life and abuse of people’s lives, health and liberty. Recent conflicts in Ukraine, Mali, Yemen, Syria and Ethiopia alone act as clear cases of the need for violators of international law to be held accountable for their atrocities and ensure that justice prevails for the victims and their families. Consequentially, I wish to pursue my goal of acquiring a diplomatic position and attempt to assist in continued efforts to promote and maintain peace across the globe.

Nicola Flannery | Director| Data Privacy Services| Risk Advisory| Deloitte

After graduating from NUI Galway with an LL.B, I went on to complete a Masters's in Commercial Law (LL.M) at the University of Edinburgh. Once I graduated, I secured a role with a tech company called Global Crossing (now Lumen Technologies) and that’s where my career really kicked off. As a graduate hire, I was involved in commercial contracts which piqued my interest and led me to work for Cisco within their Global Centre of Excellence. Here, I worked closely with sales teams supporting them with their contract negotiations across their cloud conferencing and web security solutions. I then secured a position with Paddy Power Betfair as their Data Protection Manager with overall responsibility for the design, creation, and implementation of their data protection framework. From there I was offered a role with Deloitte where I joined as a Manager. I am now a Director in which I lead a service line managing a team of privacy professionals to provide all aspects of data protection and privacy solutions to clients across every sector. Every day I use the skills and knowledge that I gained from my Law degree and use them in a practical and strategic way to support our clients.

Darran Brennan | Special Adviser - Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine

I studied a B.A. in Sociology, Politics, and Law at NUI Galway graduating in 2010, and completed the LL.B at NUI Galway in 2011. My experience at NUI Galway, both in the wonderful academic supports and teaching, and in extra-curricular activities such as the Law Society, greatly honed my interest in law, politics and society. After graduating from NUI Galway, I completed internships in the EU Parliament and with Ibec Europe. Following that, I worked in two roles with Ibec as Environment Policy Executive and as Executive Assistant to the CEO while studying for my FE1 exams. I then completed a traineeship with William Fry, graduating as a Solicitor in 2017. After graduating, I joined the William Fry Employment Law department and had a fantastic experience working with a great team. In 2020, I was appointed as Special Adviser to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. No two days are the same in the role and it encompasses everything from drafting and implementing policy and legislation to helping farmers, fishers, and food producers with their queries. My experience at NUI Galway provided me with the skills needed for practice in law and for my current role in politics.

Yassin Osman | Programme Lawyer at IBAHRI

I am currently acting as Programme Lawyer for the Africa and Middle East Regions at the International Bar Association’s Human Rights (IBAHRI). After completing my master’s degree in International Human Rights Law at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway, in 2020, I pursued different prospects, including working as a fact-check writer at Misbar, and interning at the UN OHCHR for Southern Africa and at the IBAHRI, before formally joining the team in London. Since then, I have had amazing learning opportunities such as field missions to Cameroon and Tunisia and working with states, special rapporteurs, international experts, and other lawyers, which has helped me grow tremendously. Studying at the ICHR married my theoretical knowledge of the law and personal experiences growing up in South Africa and Sudan, with practical and grounded approaches that are applied in my everyday work. It also made me realise that human rights issues do not exist in isolation and necessitate critical thinking that considers histories and different perspectives in order to truly and accurately reflect the best path forward in manifesting a better world.

Guillaume Jacquinot | Policy Co-ordinator, Inclusion Ireland

Upon graduating from the LLM in International and Comparative Disability Law and Policy in 2016, I got a traineeship at the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) where I worked on equality and disability rights. I had the opportunity to work on EU-wide scale projects promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. Then, I got my first work experience as a Policy Officer in an NGO based in Brussels called Inclusion Europe which is a European network representing people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Finally, I returned to Ireland and am now employed as a Policy Coordinator at Inclusion Ireland. My work involves project management and advocacy work to promote the rights of people with intellectual disabilities in the political and institutional sectors. I am responsible for the policy strategy at Inclusion Ireland and regularly represent the organisation during various events. The LLM provided me with an overview of the international framework relevant to the disability sector, as well as the opportunity to connect with key disability stakeholders through course events such as the International Disability Law Summer School.

Elizabeth Kamundia | Deputy Director of Disability Rights at Human Rights Watch

After graduating from the LLM (International and Comparative Disability Law and Policy) in 2012, I returned to Kenya, and worked as an independent consultant on disability rights, supporting government agencies on the promotion and protection of disability rights. I then returned to Galway as a Research Assistant and served at the Centre for Disability Law and Policy, primarily working on research and advocacy for the Irish Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) legislation. In 2018, I joined the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights in the position of Assistant Director, Research and Compliance Division, Research, Advocacy and Outreach Directorate. The position entails monitoring rights enjoyment by persons with disabilities, review of bills and policies to enhance compliance with human rights standards, engagement with treaty body mechanisms and coaching, and mentoring staff on matters relating to disability and SDGs. A law degree is extremely versatile, allowing one to contribute to society in a variety of ways. Law has rooted me in social justice, which aligns with my personal values of working in solidarity with marginalised people.

NTHABELENG MAKO- MAKETELA | LLM (International and Comparative Disability Law & Policy)

I am from Lesotho in Southern Africa. I completed my undergraduate degree in Special Education and then worked as a general classroom teacher, and tutor in special/inclusive education before studying the LLM in International and Comparative Disability Law. Studying this LLM at NUI Galway has been one of my best experiences. I was taught by experts who have contributed and who continue to contribute immensely to the field of disability law. My learning experience was further enhanced with moot court activities, a shared space where students under the guidance of the lecturer engage in discussions on current issues related to the course, and the Human Rights Clinic sessions which helped us to consolidate what we have learned from different modules and put them into practice. For these reasons, I highly recommend NUI Galway. It attracts a lot of international students, therefore one never feels out of place as there is a remarkable number of students from other countries. It is located in the heart of Galway a safe and charming city, which makes it very easy to navigate to shopping malls, the nearby sea and to several tourist attractions.

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