Expert legal Advice
Who We Are
We are a dedicated team lead by award winning Principal Solicitor Ciarán Mulholland committed to providing expert legal advice to our clients. We pride ourselves on professionalism, attention to detail and strategic approach to resolving legal matters.
Who We Are
Ciarán S. Mulholland
Solicitor | Advocate| Consultant
LL.B (Hons), LL.M (Hons), PG Dip. (Law)
Biography
Ciarán Mulholland was educated at St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School in Belfast and read Law with Irish Language at Magee College, Ulster University, graduating with Honours in 2008 where he was president of the student Law Society.
He progressed his studies with a Masters of Laws from Queen’s University, Belfast in 2010, specialising in Human Rights with Criminal Justice, and subsequently completed his solicitor’s vocational training at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (QUB). He was awarded a Post-Graduate Diploma in Professional Legal Studies in 2012.
Ciarán is dual-qualified and is enrolled on the Roll of Solicitors in both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland enabling him to practice both North and South. He has extensive experience across criminal defence, extradition, civil litigation, and regulatory law. After rising to partner level at a leading Dublin City law firm, where he headed up their superior courts and trial section, he established Mulholland Law, recognising a gap in the legal market for a fresh, outward-looking practice dedicated to complex litigation and international work.
Throughout his career, Ciarán has been instructed in some of the most high-profile and legally significant cases in recent Irish extradition and criminal law.
His domestic trial work includes representation in complex criminal matters such as recent high-profile economic crime trials together with serious organised criminal gang prosecutions and subversive cases before the Special Criminal Court.
Ciarán was one of the first Irish solicitors to participate in the SUPRALAT project, a Law Society of Ireland and Maastricht University initiative to strengthen suspects’ rights in Garda interviews. He has continued to advance his professional development with a Professional Certificate in Data Protection Practice and a Certificate in Mediation. He also contributes to legal education, assisting the Law Society of Ireland in integrating regulatory crime into its Criminal Litigation Professional Practice Course (PPC) for trainee solicitors, where he continues to serve as a Tutor.
He has published widely on issues including miscarriages of justice, police use of force and surveillance law, and is one of the few Irish lawyers to hold membership in the International Bar Association, the European Criminal Bar Association and the European Fraud and Compliance Lawyers.
His advocacy has extended beyond Ireland, with appearances before both the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Ciarán’s calibre has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards. He was named Sole Practitioner of the Year at the Durham and Dye Irish Law Awards 2024, and in the same year won Civil Litigation Lawyer of the Year for Leinster. In 2025, he achieved the pinnacle of national recognition when he was awarded Lawyer of the Year at the LEAP Irish Law Awards, receiving both the overall national title and the provincial award.
These accolades reflect not only his exceptional litigation record but also his commitment to innovation, client care, and the highest standards of professional practice.
Away from his professional commitments, Ciarán is a committed Gaelgeoir, an active advocate for the Irish language, and an enthusiastic supporter of the GAA.
Michelle Lynch | Office Manager
NVQ, P. Dip., Dip. (ICT)
Biography
Michelle Lynch is a native of Dundalk Co. Louth.
Michelle was educated at St Mary’s College in Dundalk town and is a graduate of the Belfast Metropolitan College having successfully completed her National Vocational Qualification, a diploma in Travel Commerce and Services in 2000. Michelle was also awarded a third level qualification in Web Design having studied with the O’Fiach Institute of Further Education, Dundalk, in 2012 .
Michelle has extensive experience spanning 10 years in the commercial service industry, ranging from administrative support at the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, customer service agent at eBay and most recently a financial collections consultant with PayPal.
In 2020 Michelle joined Mulholland Law as a legal assistant to the principal and has considerably assisted with the growth and expansion of the firm. In 2022 Michelle was elevated to office manager and now oversees the daily administration of the practice. Michelle is held in high esteem by her colleagues in the legal profession, but is also much respected and admired by our clientele given her eagerness to assist. This strong work positive work ethic contributed to Michelle being nominated and winning the Dundalk Chamber of Commerce ‘Employee of the Year’ Award at the 2022 formal gala.
Leon Hughes | Financial Controller
N. Dip
Biography
Leon is originally from the County Tyrone village of Coalisland where she attended St. Joseph’s College. Leon graduated with a National Diploma in Computer Software and Programme Engineering from the Belfast Metropolitan College in 1995.
Leon has extensive experience in the management and financial running of businesses, having initially held the role of office and production manager of a high profile multinational distribution company.
Leon is an experienced practitioner in legal book-keeping with over 20 year’s experience in this field. She has completed multiple courses accredited by the Law Society in Northern Ireland to esnure book-keeping and money laundering compliance.
Leon joined Mulholland Law in 2020 and has been a dedicated and invaluable part of the team since.
Fiona Rafferty| Business Administrator
P. Cert
Biography
Fiona is originally from Kingscourt, County Cavan, and attended St. Louis Secondary School before going on to study Graphic Design at Dundalk Institute of Technology. She has since completed professional qualifications in Digital Marketing and Data Analytics for Marketing, and holds Adobe Certified Expert status.
Fiona has extensive experience in design, IT, PR and the management of businesses. She previously worked as a Business Development Manager, where she was responsible for marketing strategies, operational improvements, and the introduction of digital innovations across a range of industries. She has also established and trained staff for a print production unit within a leading Irish service provider, developing efficient systems to deliver consistent quality and performance.
Fiona joined Mulholland Law in its early days and has supported the firm’s development over the years. She is responsible for marketing and IT systems and also assists with the administration of criminal legal aid services. Her practical problem-solving skills and background in high-demand professional service environments continue to benefit the team.
Shannon Reddy | Legal Assistant
BSc (Hons)
Biography
Shannon Reddy hails from Rathfeigh, Co. Meath.
Shannon is a Business & Law graduate from the Technical University of Dublin (TUD) with a strong academic background, she has over two years of customer service experience within the tourist sector. Shannon demonstrates exceptional communication skills and attention to detail, with a proven ability to manage client relations and administrative tasks effectively. Shannon aides the office management and administration liaising often between client, experts and lawyers.
As an avid Irish dancer Shannon has competed in All-Ireland & World Championships. She currently teaches younger dancers and is pursuing formal teaching qualifications.
Emmet Duffy | Military & Aviation Consultant
BA (Hons), PG Dip., Dip. (HR)
Biography
Emmet received his formal education at St. Marys’ Christian Brothers’ Grammar School in Belfast where he progressed to the Cadet School at the Military College of the Irish Defence Force (DFHQ), successfully passing out as an officer and commissioned a lieutenant within the Irish Air Corp in 2005.
In 2006 Emmet graduated from Maynooth University with a Bachelors of Arts in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies followed by a further honours degree with the National College of Ireland in Human Resource Management in 2010.
For several years within the Air Corp Emmet held the position of Data Protection Manager which involved direct responsibility for the Air Corps Data Management Team thus ensuring the accurate creation, storage and management of all records pertaining to Air Corps personnel and sensitive information in line with Military Regulation, Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Acts, to include GDPR.
Emmet served with distinction for the United Nations in Syria (UNDOF) as a Military Police Captain in 2018 having been promoted through the commissioned officer ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann. During this overseas tour Emmet reported directly to the mission’s Chief of Staff for all military police operations within the designated area while also dealing with matters of a highly confidential manner for 1100 serving personnel in a highly volatile environment. This role also tasked Emmett with overseeing the secure movement of a high priority convoy from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, through Lebanon to Syria during a time of intense political pressure which necessitated a high level of negotiating ability.
Emmet has always strived to be best he can be in each role he serves and has continuously improved his own academic experience with further qualifications, having successfully completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Guidance Counselling with Dublin City University in 2017 and a Diploma in Learning and Development with the University of Galway in 2020.
Since leaving the Defence Forces in 2019, Emmet has continued to work in the area of Human Resources in a leadership capacity across a number of industries including Aviation, Logistics and Healthcare. Emmet now assists with Mulholland Law’s expansion; bringing his vast experience to our Brexit, Data Protection and Aviation consultancy services. Emmet has also proven invaluable with the advice and guidance he offers for serving and retired members of the Defence Forces, whether that be for Tribunal hearings or personal injury related matters.