BLAKE & KENNY - Key Persons
Cian joined Blake & Kenny Solicitors in 2023. He has a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Journalism from University of Galway along with a Masters in Advanced Legal Practice from Northumbria University.
After an initial career in journalism and public relations, he served his legal apprenticeship in a busy general practice law firm in Clonmel, County Tipperary and was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 2018. He then worked for several years in a large commercial law firm in Dublin where he was an Associate in one of the leading Commercial Property departments in the Irish market.
He specialises in the areas of Commercial and Residential Property with a specific interest in the area of Landlord and Tenant law. His other main areas of practice also include general Conveyancing, Local Government Law, Planning and Environmental law and Debt Collection.
Cian has a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Journalism from University of Galway along with a Masters in Advanced Legal Practice from Northumbria University.
Ciara graduated from National University of Ireland Galway with a Bachelor of Corporate Law followed by a post graduate LLB. She is a member of the firm's Property team having qualified as a Solicitor in 2010.
Ciara has experience working on a wide range of property transactions advising in relation to the acquisition, sale, transfer, mortgage and lease of both residential and commercial property. She has acted for a variety of clients including vendors, purchasers, developers, companies, local authorities, landlords and tenants in advising on title matters, negotiating contract terms, reviewing and drafting property and security documentation and the registration of titles.
Ciara is committed to delivering excellent service to our clients in a timely, straightforward and accessible manner.
Ciara also has experience in advising on estate planning, drafting Wills and administration of estates.
Dawn joined Blake & Kenny Solicitors in 2004. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from N.U.I Galway and a First Class Honours Bachelor of Law (LLB) from N.U.I. Galway. She served her apprenticeship in Blake & Kenny Solicitors and was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 2009. She is also admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales
Dawn's main practice areas are conveyancing and probate. She specialises in the area of Probate and the Administration of Estates, to include the preparation of Wills.
Dawn joined Blake & Kenny Solicitors in 2004. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Psych) from N.U.I Galway and a First Class Honours Bachelor...
Edward graduated from N.U.I. Galway with a Bachelor of Arts and furthered his studies with a Postgraduate in Law at D.I.T. followed by Diplomas in Environmental Law and Planning Law, Diploma in Family Law, Certificate in Local Government Studies and Certificate in Public Procurement. He was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 2011.
Edward worked with a top tier firm in Dublin and with the largest in-house local authority legal department in the country. Working in Litigation, Personal Injuries and Conveyancing departments.
He specialises in Local Government Law, Planning and Environmental Law, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation and Debt Collection.
Gerry joined Blake & Kenny LLP in 2022 and is the former Managing Partner of a mid-sized Clare based law firm. A law graduate of University of Galway, Gerry holds a broad portfolio of legal expertise spanning 29 years of continuous practice including Local Authority, Company, Commercial, Real Estate, Banking, Mergers and Acquisitions. Insolvency, Commercial Litigation, Private Client Litigation, Professional Indemnity and Health Law.
Gerry is the Past President of Clare Law Association and a former member of both Business and Criminal Law Committees of the Law Society of Ireland. Gerry sat on the Complaints and Client Relations Committee of the Law Society for three years. He has held Directorships in several charities and is a Past President of Rotary Club of Ennis.
Gerry is a Notary Public for Counties Galway, Limerick and Clare and is admitted as a Lawyer in England and Wales.
Hilary is from Salthill in Galway. She studied in U.C.G. (now N.U.I.G.) and graduated with a B.A. and L.L.B. She qualified as a Solicitor in 1988 and has been working in Blake & Kenny since 1986.
Hilary's main areas of specialty are Residential Conveyancing, Personal Injury Litigation, Medical Negligence, Family Law and Probate.
Karina Doyle commenced her legal career in NUI Galway where she obtained BA and LLB Degrees. She was admitted to the roll of Solicitors in Ireland in 1983 and practised with WB Glynn & Co. Solicitors until 1988.
Karina practised with Lewis C. Doyle & Co. Solicitors from late 1988 until 2008 and with Lewis C. Doyle Solicitors from 2009 until November 2013, when she joined Ford & Associates Solicitors which was incorporated into by Blake & Kenny LLP in 2024
Karina has extensive experience in negotiating and drafting agreements for the acquisition, development and disposal of residential, commercial and retail property. She acts for many of Galway's best known developers as well as many private clients.
Karina has built up extensive experience in all aspects of banking transactions and has provided legal advice to a broad range of Banks and lending institutions. She has acted for several Receivers and Liquidators, advising on a broad range of insolvency issues and litigation.
Karina also advises on all aspects of liquor licensing and acts for several publicans, hoteliers and off-licences.
Admitted to the Rolls in 2013, Lesley ( BA, LLB, LLM) specialises in commercial & residential conveyancing, landlord and tenant law, commercial law and local government law, having obtained a first class honours Master's Degree in Public Law.
She is also admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales and can be contacted at loneill@blakeandkenny.ie.
Tara graduated from the National University of Ireland Galway with a First Class Honours Bachelor of Arts B.A. (Legal Studies and Economics)...
Michael qualified as a solicitor in 1974 having previously attended University College Galway, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts he joined Blake & Kenny in 1974 and is a Partner of the firm.
Michael is a highly respected member of the legal profession in Galway and acts on behalf of the Local Authority. Michael has acted on behalf of many of Galway's prominent companies, businesses and individuals.
Michael's areas of expertise include Local Government Law, Property Law, Probate and Estate Management Law, Company Law, Litigation and Personal Injury Law.
Michelle leads the firm's Litigation & Dispute Resolution team, specialising in plaintiff litigation. She has significant experience in the areas of personal injury, medical negligence and probate litigation at Circuit and High Court level.
She also works alongside colleagues on the family law team dealing with all issues in relation to family law matters including separation, divorce and surrogacy.
Michelle previously practiced in a "Top 10" law firm in Dublin on the Healthcare Team, specialising in insurance defence litigation.
With her considerable litigation experience she stives to always achieve the best results for her clients and to help them feel at ease through the litigation process.
Education
National University of Ireland Galway (Bachelor of Commerce).
Michelle qualified as a Solicitor in 2010. She joined the firm in 2021 having previously worked for a top 10 law firm in Dublin on the Healthcare team.
Nuala attended NUI Galway, graduating with a BA Degree and LLB. She was admitted to the roll of Solicitors in 1987 and practiced with the firm of John M Ford Solicitors, Galway until 1995 when she joined Lewis C Doyle & Co. In 2013 She set up the practice of Ford & Associates of which she was principal. This firm was incorporated into Blake & Kenny LLP in 2024
She practices mainly in the area of private client services, with specialist knowledge of Purchasing, Selling and Leasing Commercial and Residential Properties, Probate, Estate Planning, Wills and Capital Taxes.
She has accumulated expert knowledge regarding all types of property transactions and acts for many of Galway's major property Developers and has extensive experience in acting for commercial and private clients.
Nuala practises mainly in the area of Wills, Estates, Property Transactions and Taxation, with specialist knowledge of Conveyancing, Probate and Capital Taxes.
Tara graduated from the National University of Ireland Galway with a First Class Honours Bachelor of Arts B.A. (Legal Studies and Economics) followed by a Postgraduate Bachelor of Law L.L.B and Master of Laws L.L.M.
Her experience has been in the area of Property Law and continues to specialise in all aspects of Property Law on behalf of private and public sector clients including Residential Conveyancing, Commercial Conveyancing, Landlord & Tenant Law.