Michael Quinlan named president of the Law Society

The Law Society of Ireland has announced the election of solicitor Michael Quinlan as its 147th president, continuing a 176-year tradition since the election of first president Josias Dunn in 1841.

Speaking after his election, Mr Quinlan (pictured) said: “It is a great honour to accept the Office of President of the Law Society of Ireland for the coming 12 months. To be leading a profession of over 10,000 practising solicitors is a personal privilege, however this is also time of great challenge as well.

“When I qualified in 1981 there were about 1,800 solicitors on the Roll, and slightly over half of them were practising at the time.

“The past 36 years have seen dramatic change in Ireland and particularly within the profession.”

Addressing the Law Society Council, Mr Quinlan identified Brexit, the coming into full force of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, and the resourcing of the Probate Office as key challenges in 2017/18.

He also said he wanted to examine issues such as technological disruption of the legal sector, the delay in reversing cuts to criminal legal aid, the “two-speed business environment” between urban and rural practice, and the need for a healthier work/life balance in the profession.

Mr Quinlan added: “The solicitors’ profession is one that is focussed on fighting for the legal rights of clients and law reform in the public interest.

“I congratulate the outgoing president, Stuart Gilhooly, on his sterling work as president over the last 12 months. He has certainly left a legacy of which he can be proud.”

In being elected, Mr Quinlan follows in the footsteps of his mother Moya Quinlan, who became the Society’s first woman president in 1980/81.