News archive Graduate Stephen O’Flaherty Named in The Lawyer Hot 100 for 2022

NUI Galway School of Law is delighted to see its graduate Stephen O’Flaherty named in The Lawyer Hot 100 for 2022. This is one of the highest accolades awarded to lawyers in England who are chosen for their excellence in diverse areas of legal practice. Stephen shares the honour this year with other top solicitors and barristers including Baroness Helena Kennedy QC.

Stephen graduated from NUI Galway with a BA degree in 2003 and a LLB (Bachelor of Laws) in 2008. Having qualified as a solicitor in England in 2012, he joined Lewis Silkin, a leading London law firm which is noted for expertise in employment, entertainment, sports and immigration law, among other areas. The firm also has offices in Dublin and Belfast.

Stephen, who is Managing Associate at Lewis Silkin, was named as one of the top 100 lawyers because of his work in building up the firm’s sports immigration practice. He previously received glowing commendations in Legal 500 as an outstanding sports and immigration lawyer. Over the years, he has advised many elite sports clubs and athletes, and football clubs in particular. He is noted for having managed the immigration aspects of transfers for 15 clubs from the top three tiers of English professional football, including 11 from the Premier League and 4 from the Women’s Super League, during the past year. He has also been advising on the use of GBE scoring technology to help streamline international player recruitment for football clubs, providing an important solution for clubs in the wake of Brexit. 

We extend our warmest congratulations to Stephen and wish him continuing success.