Leading Irish law firm Matheson has appointed Niamh Counihan as its Pro Bono Partner. Ms. Counihan shall, according to Matheson, dedicate 50% of her professional time specifically to pro bono legal activities and 50% to her role as the firm’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs.
Matheson said that Ms. Counihan would be “responsible for working with management to refine Matheson’s pro bono strategy and for leading the (firm’s) pro bono initiatives and collaborative projects”.
The appointment of Ms. Counihan as Pro Bono Partner follows on from the 2018 appointment of Eithne Lynch by A&L Goodbody as Ireland’s first-ever full-time Pro Bono Associate and the subsequent appointment of Carolann Minnock as full-time Pro Bono Associate at Arthur Cox.
Ms. Counihan, who has been with the firm for over twenty years, said that her appointment “recognises that serving our community is a strategic priority for Matheson” and “reflects (the firm’s) belief that our lawyers have a responsibility to use their professional expertise to provide access to justice to those who cannot afford it.”
Michael Jackson, Managing Partner at Matheson, said that “the appointment of a dedicated Pro Bono Partner and establishment of a Pro Bono Committee is a demonstration of (the firm’s) commitment to impactful business...our lawyers have a responsibility to use their legal skills and knowledge to support the legal needs of those who are otherwise unable to access legal services.”
Along with over 70 other signatories, Matheson was a founding member of PILA’s Pro Bono Pledge, which was launched in November 2020. Ms. Counihan is a member of the Pro Bono Pledge Steering Group.