Ms Battye brings over two decades of experience advising both international and domestic clients on the entire lifespan of employment law issues.

Her experience includes resolving complex issues, such as senior executive terminations, negotiating and drafting severance terms, service agreements, and post-termination restrictions, among other matters.

Her advisory expertise covers employment issues in M&A transactions, organisational changes, transfers of undertakings, servicing arrangements, HR compliance and harmonisation projects.

She has represented clients in employment disputes before the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court, including advising on claims for unfair dismissals, constructive dismissals, discrimination, whistleblowing and penalisation, workplace bullying and stress-related injuries, and industrial relations disputes, as well as in employment injunctions and breach of contract claims before the High Court.

Prior to joining Bird & Bird, Ms Battye established and was the head of the employment team at Walkers in Ireland. 

Michael Finn, head of Bird & Bird Ireland, said: “Susan’s arrival at Bird & Bird is an important part of our continued growth in Ireland.

“We’ve known Susan for a number of years and her extensive experience advising clients on a range of employment matters alongside her outstanding reputation in the Irish market means she is the ideal partner to lead our employment practice in Ireland.

“Welcome to the team Susan!”

Nathalie Devernay, Alison Dixon and Thomas Hey, international co-heads of employment, said: “Susan has a strong track record of creating, building, managing and growing an employment practice and a wealth of knowledge advising both international and domestic clients on the entire life cycle of employment law issues.

“We’re looking forward to seeing her grow the practice in Ireland in the months ahead: Susan will be an integral part of our international offering going forward.”

Ms Battye said: “Bird & Bird’s collaborative and high-performance culture provides me with the perfect platform to build a client-focused employment team across the broad range of sectors where technology plays a key role.

“I’m looking forward to joining the team in Ireland and the wider Bird & Bird network.”