The OUTLaw Network was founded in 2018 and is being officially launched in early 2019. The aim of OUTLaw is to generate discussion and debate, through various social and educational events, and in doing so to promote and foster the inclusion of LGBT+ individuals and allies across the legal sector in Ireland.
OUTLaw’s objectives are to bring together LGBT+ individuals and allies working in the Irish legal sector in order to:
- share best practices, insights and initiatives specific to the legal sector;
- enable LGBT+ individuals and allies to build their professional networks;
- provide career and leadership development opportunities;
- to empower organisations and individuals working in the legal sector in Ireland to work together on shared goals connected with our aim; and
- promote and develop Ireland’s legal sector as a destination of choice for LGBT+ individuals.
OUTLaw was founded and is run by a volunteer committee, the members of which have a proven track record in advocating on behalf of and bringing together LGTB+ individuals and allies working in the Irish legal sector. The committee is currently chaired by Peter Ryan, the Network’s founder. You can meet the committee and read their profiles on the OUTLaw Network page. The committee’s terms of reference can be found here. While the committee currently consists of solicitors from larger Dublin law firms, the goal is to broaden participation to include regional and bespoke firms, barristers, trainee barristers and solicitors and in-house counsel.
Seán O’Sullivan BL (Co-Chair)
Seán is a member of the Bar of Ireland and the Bar of England and Wales. His practice is concentrated mainly on corporate insolvency and bankruptcy, banking and financial services and contract disputes. Seán is our first Law Library nominee to the OUTLaw committee.
Bailey Lane
Bailey is a final year Law and Business student in UCC and the current Co-Chair and co-founder of the OUTLaw Network Student Committee. He is a future trainee solicitor with Arthur Cox.
Harrison Moloney
Harrison is a Law and Society student in DCU and the current Co-Chair and co-founder of the OUTLaw Network Student Committee. He is a future trainee solicitor with A&L Goodbody.
Barbara Galvin (Co-Chair)
Barbara is a Senior Associate in Eversheds Sutherland LLP, working on their Insolvency and Restructuring team. Barbara was the recipient of OUTLaw's first "LGBT+ Champion of the Year".
Chris Murnane
Chris is an associate in the Corporate Department of DLA Piper and a former Chair of the OUTLaw Network. He is enthusiastic about working to make the legal profession more LGBT+ friendly and engaging with the entire sector to achieve systemic change
Tony Ross
Tony is a solicitor in Matheson. He takes an active interest in the areas of diversity, inclusion and wellness with a particular focus on workplace diversity in the legal industry.
Gerard James
Gerard is a Senior Associate in William Fry. His background is in human rights law and he has been actively involved in the development and implementation of the William Fry D&I policy and initiatives.
Keith Donaldson
Keith is a practice administrator at Arthur Cox and the chair of their LGBT+ network, alliance.
Maeve Delargy
Maeve is a Senior Associate in Philip Lee and Director of Education with the European Women Lawyers Association.
Aisling Walls
Aisling is a Senior Manager in the Forensic & Integrity Services department within EY. She aims to help promote inclusion of LGBT+ students and professionals.
Saadi Siddiky
Saadi is an Associate in Mason Hayes & Curran and a champion of Diversity & Inclusion.
