Holmes O'Malley Sexton LLP was founded when the three separate practices of Gordon Holmes, Michael O’Malley and James Sexton joined together. Established in 1970, the firm goes back many years and has since then remained at the forefront of the legal arena.
Holmes is a dedicated brand to specialise and cater for its corporate, insurance and public sector clients. Launched in 2021, it was a landmark move for the firm and signaled our focus on strategic growth for the future built on the collaborative partnerships developed with the firm’s clients. We have adapted to the needs of our clients, providing a more tailored and specialist level of service.
Providing nationwide legal services from our offices in Dublin, Limerick and Cork we act in a complete range of legal services for corporate, insurance and public sector clients with client-focused legal expertise of the highest quality. In June 2017 we extended our reach outside Ireland for the first time by establishing an office facility in London. The office is situated in the heart of the City of London. We are available to offer advice to UK businesses considering opening an office in Ireland, as well as better serving our current Irish and UK clients located there.
Being one of the largest law firms in Ireland we have seventeen partners, over forty solicitors, with a total head count of over 140 staff. We are a client focused firm whose experienced team work closely with clients to gain an in-depth understanding of their objectives to ensure that we achieve the best possible result. Our partners and lawyers, who are highly skilled not only in law but in leadership and change management, are acutely tuned to the business objectives of our corporate clients and are dedicated to delivering legal services of excellence. We continue to grow and are passionate about attracting and retaining the best legal personnel and developing their talent and legal acumen.
Always having had a commitment to quality legal services, delivering legal services to the highest prevailing standards in the profession, we consistently adhere to systems, policies and procedures in order to ensure this standard of service is delivered to our clients. In October 2021 we were again awarded a Gold grade, 99%, in the Q9000 Risk Management Legal Quality Standard Certification after a full and comprehensive audit by the Institute of Legal Research and Standards. The Q9000, which is recognised by the Law Society of Ireland, is the most advanced strategic, risk and quality management standard awarded by the Institute to law firms demonstrating exceptional levels of strategic, innovation and quality management.
We are recognised internationally amongst the globes top firms and lawyers by Legal 500 EMEA, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe legal directories.
We received outstanding recognition and were named winners in the Irish Law Awards 2015, 2014 and 2012. In 2016 we were finalists in a total of three award categories. In 2017 we won the Best Employer: Talent Development and Workplace Wellness Award at the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards 2017. We were rated seventh out of the top ten Irish legal graduate employers by Grad Ireland in 2018. Our transition year programmes were shortlisted in the 2019 Chambers Ireland Awards. The firm are signatories to the Law Society of Ireland’s charters for a commitment to diversity and wellness.
Trusted By
Holmes O’Malley Sexton's managing partner Harry Fehily is involved in a wide range of disputes on behalf of corporate clients, being particularly active in the construction and insurance sectors. Clients say that he is "commercial and communicates clearly and concisely."
Harry Fehily
Dispute Resolution | Chambers Global 2021
According to market sources, Stephen Walker "is a pleasure to deal with." He has experience in corporate and capital markets transactions.
Stephen Walker
Corporate/M&A | Chambers Global 2021
Holmes O’Malley Sexton's managing partner Harry Fehily is involved in a wide range of disputes on behalf of corporate clients, being particularly active in the construction and insurance sectors. Clients say that he is "commercial and communicates clearly and concisely.
Harry Fehily
Dispute Resolution | Chambers Europe 2021
Harry Fehily is best known for his handling of claims arising under financial lines policies. He has experience in professional liability claims brought against insured accountants. He also defends EL/PL claims. Sources say that he is "knowledgeable and efficient."
Harry Fehily
Insurance Dispute Resolution | Chambers Europe 2021
Michael Murphy moves up the rankings owing to strong feedback for his professional indemnity practice. Clients highlight his strong technical skills and say that "his arguments are well thought out, researched and backed up." "His advice on strategy is clear and decisive, an...
Michael Murphy
Insurance Dispute Resolution | Chambers Europe 2021
Sandra Egan has proven experience in the negotiation of lease agreements and real estate asset transactions. One client praises Egan's practical approach, while another states: "She is hugely efficient and makes complicated projects look easy.
Sandra Egan
Real Estate | Chambers Europe 2021
According to market sources, Stephen Walker "is a pleasure to deal with." He has experience in corporate and capital markets transactions.
Stephen Walker
Corporate/M&A | Chambers Europe 2021
Sources note that Robert Kennedy "can come up with ideas that are a bit outside the box; he looks at cases in different ways to gets things resolved." He enters the rankings owing to a considerable volume of praise for his work predominantly on EL/PL insurance claims.
Robert Kennedy
Insurance Dispute Resolution | Chambers Europe 2021
What the team is known for: Earns praise for proven capacity to handle diverse claims across EL/PL, motor insurance and financial lines. Defends insurers and self-insured companies or associations in personal injury claims filed by employees or third parties. Noted for its e...
Insurance Dispute Resolution | Chambers Europe 2021
Strengths "I regularly get a summary of each claim and anything that might have happened in the last week or so," says one client, further noting: "The lawyers are proactive in trying to get a claim resolved." "They are commercially minded," says another source, explaining: ...
Insurance Dispute Resolution | Chambers Europe 2021
Substantial experience of defending clients against insurance claims, having acted for a number of prominent insurers. Other key contacts include Donal Creaton, Michael Murphy, Anna Owens and Pat McInerney.
Anna Owens
Insurance | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
‘I also see a firm, especially managing partner Harry Fehily, committed to supporting pro bono work and not-for-profit organisations and the broader Limerick environment.’
Corporate Responsibility | Legal 500 EMEA 202
Insurance litigation, defamation and environmental disputes are key areas of strength at Holmes O’Malley Sexton, which is also increasingly active in contentious construction matters. The team, which is based across the firm’s offices in Dublin and Limerick, also regular...
Dispute Resolution | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Insurance litigation, defamation and environmental disputes are key areas of strength at Holmes O’Malley Sexton, which is also increasingly active in contentious construction matters. The team, which is based across the firm’s offices in Dublin and Limerick, also regular...
Donal Creaton
Dispute Resolution | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Holmes O’Malley Sexton’s insurance practice, which is based in the firm’s Limerick office, is led by Robert Kennedy. The firm has substantial experience of defending clients against insurance claims, having acted for a number of prominent insurers.
Donal Creaton
Insurance | Legal 500 EMEA 202
Holmes O’Malley Sexton provides services across Ireland, with offices in Dublin, Limerick and, as of June 2019, Cork, and also has an office in London. The team is particularly active in property finance, advising on a number of high-profile development finance matters, an...
Harry Fehily
Banking and Finance | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Managing partner Harry Fehily has an innate talent for client service.
Harry Fehily
Corporate, Commercial and M&A | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Insurance litigation, defamation and environmental disputes are key areas of strength at Holmes O’Malley Sexton, which is also increasingly active in contentious construction matters. The team, which is based across the firm’s offices in Dublin and Limerick, also regular...
Harry Fehily
Dispute Resolution | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Holmes O’Malley Sexton has particular expertise in the education sector, where the team represents a number of universities, but also acts for a range of state and semi-state bodies and statutory corporations. The practice has advised on judicial review proceedings, disput...
Harry Fehily
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Headed by Sandra Egan, Lorraine Power and Harry Fehily. The Limerick office has strong connections to the local region with clients including the University of Limerick and Limerick 2030 Strategic Development DAC; the team advised the latter on the Hanging Gardens office dev...
Harry Fehily
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Harry Fehily is totally committed to the best interest of his client.
Harry Fehily
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Holmes O’Malley Sexton’s insurance practice, which is based in the firm’s Limerick office, is led by Robert Kennedy. The firm has substantial experience of defending clients against insurance claims, having acted for a number of prominent insurers. Other key contacts i...
Insurance | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Lisa Killeen is learned and astute – she understands the brief, especially complex matters, she takes a strong and capable stand, and she represents the client thoroughly. Clients find her extremely professional. Her communication skills are excellent and she continuously ...
Lisa Killeen
Banking and Finance | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Holmes O’Malley Sexton provides services across Ireland, with offices in Dublin, Limerick and, as of June 2019, Cork, and also has an office in London. The team is particularly active in property finance, advising on a number of high-profile development finance matters, an...
Lisa Killeen
Banking and Finance | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Headed by Limerick-based Sandra Egan and Dublin-based duo Lorraine Power and Harry Fehily. The Dublin office has recently been active for investment trust Yew Grove REIT on acquisitions. The team also acts in the healthcare, retail and office sectors and advises on lease neg...
Lorraine Power
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Insurance litigation, defamation and environmental disputes are key areas of strength at Holmes O’Malley Sexton, which is also increasingly active in contentious construction matters. The team, which is based across the firm’s offices in Dublin and Limerick, also regular...
Michael Murphy
Dispute Resolution | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Holmes O’Malley Sexton’s insurance practice, which is based in the firm’s Limerick office, is led by Robert Kennedy. The firm has substantial experience of defending clients against insurance claims, having acted for a number of prominent insurers. Other key contacts i...
Michael Murphy
Insurance | Legal 500 EMEA 202
Insurance litigation, defamation and environmental disputes are key areas of strength at Holmes O’Malley Sexton, which is also increasingly active in contentious construction matters. The team, which is based across the firm’s offices in Dublin and Limerick, also regular...
Pat McInerney
Dispute Resolution | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Holmes O’Malley Sexton’s insurance practice, which is based in the firm’s Limerick office, is led by Robert Kennedy. The firm has substantial experience of defending clients against insurance claims, having acted for a number of prominent insurers.
Pat McInerney
Insurance | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
‘Pat McInerney is a generalist of no limit because his good sense knows no boundaries.’
Pat McInerney
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Holmes O’Malley Sexton has particular expertise in the education sector, where the team represents a number of universities, but also acts for a range of state and semi-state bodies and statutory corporations. The practice has advised on judicial review proceedings, disput...
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Limerick office has strong connections to the local region with clients including the University of Limerick and Limerick 2030 Strategic Development DAC; the team advised the latter on the Hanging Gardens office development. The Dublin office has been active for investment t...
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
‘An outstanding practice of long standing. The practice does not interact with clients as solely customers of a solution, process or transaction but as partners with whom the firm participates in mutual long-term benefit and pride.’
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
‘There is good attention to detail. The objective of the client is firstly identified and the service is tailored to the needs of the client. They value your business in a personal capacity.’
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
‘A great business partner. The one-to-one service provided is top class. The attention to detail is excellent. Sandra Egan leads the team extremely well and its clear that her team are getting good sound advice on matters. I would also mention Melissa Regan who is fantasti...
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
‘Helpful and friendly, practical advice.’
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
They have the scale required so that the team do not disappear just when you need them to work on another client. Sandra Egan has been very thorough in chasing down at times difficult issues and counterparts. George Kennedy has always been available to talk about stuff when ...
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Insurance litigation, defamation and environmental disputes are key areas of strength at Holmes O’Malley Sexton, which is also increasingly active in contentious construction matters. The team, which is based across the firm’s offices in Dublin and Limerick, also regular...
Robert Kennedy
Dispute Resolution | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Holmes O’Malley Sexton’s insurance practice, which is based in the firm’s Limerick office, is led by Robert Kennedy. The firm has substantial experience of defending clients against insurance claims, having acted for a number of prominent insurers. Other key contacts i...
Robert Kennedy
Insurance | Legal 500 EMEA 202
The firm's Limerick practice is headed by Sandra Egan. The Limerick office has strong connections to the local region with clients including the University of Limerick and Limerick 2030 Strategic Development DAC; the team advised the latter on the Hanging Gardens office deve...
Sandra Egan
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Sandra Egan makes complex aggressive transactions in acquisition and business transfer look simple.
Sandra Egan
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Sandra Egan is very knowledgeable and very accessible to us on any query of our real estate business transactions.
Sandra Egan
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
A great business partner. The one-to-one service provided is top class. The attention to detail is excellent. Sandra Egan leads the team extremely well and its clear that her team are getting good sound advice on matters.
Sandra Egan
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Sandra Egan has been exceptional. She is very prompt in responding to our requests and explains everything clearly. She is solution focused and proactively works to get complex negotiations over the line for us. Her knowledge, attention to detail and awareness of future risk...
Sandra Egan
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 202
‘They have the scale required so that the team do not disappear just when you need them to work on another client. Sandra Egan has been very thorough in chasing down at times difficult issues and counterparts.'
Sandra Egan
Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
‘George Kennedy and associates Shane Costelloe and Neil O’Gorman are professional, flexible and show a passion for the ultimate success of their client’s business.’
Shane Costelloe
Corporate, Commercial and M&A | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Holmes O’Malley Sexton provides services across Ireland, with offices in Dublin, Limerick and, as of June 2019, Cork, and also has an office in London. The team is particularly active in property finance, advising on a number of high-profile development finance matters, an...
Banking and Finance | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Very knowledgeable and easy to communicate with’. Practice head(s):Harry Fehily; Lisa Killeen
Banking and Finance | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
‘They are capable, experienced and commercial’. Practice head(s):Harry Fehily; Lisa Killeen
Banking and Finance | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
‘Lisa Killeen is learned and astute – she understands the brief, especially complex matters, she takes a strong and capable stand, and she represents the client thoroughly. Clients find her extremely professional. Her communication skills are excellent and she continuous...
Banking and Finance | Legal 500 EMEA 2020
Awards, Membership and Recognition
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