Ms Derivan, managing partner of Derivan Sexton & Company, becomes the 152nd president of the Law Society and the sixth woman to serve in the role. This is the second time in history that the serving and incoming president are both women.

Commenting on taking up the role today, Ms Derivan said: “I am honoured to serve as president of the Law Society and to lead the Irish solicitors’ profession for the next 12 months.

“As only the sixth woman to hold the office of the president of the Law Society, I recognise the importance of diversity, inclusion and representation. I am committed to serving the profession for my term as president.”

Access to justice will be a significant focus of Ms Derivan’s presidential year.

She said: “The Law Society has always called for prioritising access to justice for all in society. We have highlighted the need for urgent investment in resources and personnel in the Courts Service.

“Most importantly, we have called for increased access and investment in legal aid, however, there is still significant improvement needed in this and other areas of the civil legal system to improve access to justice in the public interest.

“To have a properly functioning civil society, we all must be able to access justice when we need it.”

Throughout her tenure, Ms Derivan will also prioritise the importance of professional standards and courtesy in the legal profession for all lawyers.

“As I enter my term as president of the Law Society I will support, encourage and nurture the collegiality and synergies between the legal professions, clients and stakeholders,” she said.

“By working together, we can champion the solicitors’ profession and provide a high standard of service to our clients, stakeholders and members of the public at all times, which is a vehicle to improve access to justice for all.

“In addition, I will continue to build on the great work of the Law Society in the areas of gender equality, diversity and inclusion, which are at the core of the profession’s values and fundamental to its future.”

A graduate of University College Dublin, Ms Derivan trained with Mason Hayes & Curran and qualified as a solicitor. She then joined Orpen Franks where she became a junior partner specialising in litigation and commercial litigation.

She has been a member of Law Society Council since 2006 and, in 2018, proposed the motion which led to the establishment of the Law Society’s gender equality, diversity and inclusion task force.