Our people

David is a Galway native and attended NUIG where he completed his Bachelor of Commerce Degree. David subsequently studied Law and qualified as a solicitor in 2001. David is an experienced litigation solicitor who specialises in Family Law, Employment Law and Commercial Law. David has a diploma in Commercial Law and is an accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator. David held the position of President of the Galway Solicitors Bar Association for three years and is the current Connaught representative to the Council of the Law Society of Ireland. David sits on the Regulation to Practice Committee in the Law Society. David is also a Notary Public.

With qualifications from UCD and the Law Society of Ireland, John Callinan has been practising law in the Mid-West for 35 years.
During that time, John has gained a proud reputation for tailor-made, personalised legal solutions in property, taxation, family law, succession planning, debt resolution, disability rights etc.
From early in life, John has known the value of effective legal representation when his mother was threatened with eviction by a ground landlord. The threat was thwarted by robust legal representation and the experience has ensured that John Callinan has always fearlessly asserted the rights of his clients.

John has also qualified with Diplomas in Property Law and Taxation and his expertise in the area of medical law has been acknowledged by his appointment to the Chair of the Mental Health Tribunal.
One of Clare’s finest hurlers, he has won two National League titles, two Railway Cups and two All Stars. After his playing days, he has continued to contribute his experience and skills to Gaelic Games as Chairperson of the GAA’s Dispute Resolution Authority and as an officer of his local club, Clarecastle.

Ronan is a Graduate of NUIG, having completed a Bachelor of Corp Law and Bachelor of Laws. He went on to study at The Law Society of Ireland where he qualified as a solicitor under the watchful and experienced eye of his then Master and now partner John Callinan. He subsequently completed a further Diploma in commercial conveyance and certificate in Sports Law through the Law Society of Ireland

Ronan has worked in legal practices in Ennis, Limerick, Dublin and Galway. Ronan practiced as a sole practitioner for 10 years under the style of Ronan Murphy Solicitors before joining forces with David and John. Ronan has significant experience in the areas of residential and commercial conveyance with a keen interest also in the areas of litigation and family Law. Ronan is a committee member of the Galway Solicitor Bar Association for many years. He has a keen interest in swimming and surf lifesaving and is involved with the surf lifesaving clubs in both Clare and Galway.

Emer is a native of Abbeyknockmoy, Co. Galway. Qualified as a Solicitor in 2008. Practicing in the areas of Personal Injuries Law, Medical Negligence Law and Enduring Power of Attorney.

Martin Kerrigan is a native of Claregalway, Co. Galway. He completed an undergraduate Degree in Law at National University of Ireland Galway in 2006. He studied a postgraduate course in Law at National University of Ireland Galway completing same in 2008. Martin then spent two years working at a Galway City firm practising in all areas of litigation, but with a particular focus on criminal law actions, extradition law, personal injury law and debt recovery.

In 2011, he joined Berwick Solicitors and completed his training as a Solicitor mainly focusing on medical negligence, professional negligence and personal injury law.

Since qualifying as a Solicitor, Martin has built up an expertise in the area of medical negligence and personal injury actions and has been involved in many large high court cases. He advises clients in relation to negligence claims; to include medical negligence claims and personal injuries actions arising from accidents at work, road traffic accidents and public liability claims

Martin is proud to be part of Berwick Solicitors litigation team and is focused, at all times, on achieving the best possible outcome for our clients.

Eileen Brooks completed both her Undergraduate BA Degree in Law and Post Graduate Bachelor of Law LLB from NUIG and qualified as a Solicitor in 1990. Eileen has worked in legal practices in Athlone, Limerick City, Galway City and Ennis where she is currently practising in the Ennis Office of Callinan Murphy, Solicitors.

Since qualifying as a Solicitor, Eileen has a built up an expertise in the areas of commercial conveyancing, banking and residential conveyancing. She has experience in dealing with the acquisition, development and disposal of commercial and residential property and has extensive experience in dealing with Mortgages and Re-Mortgages and also in the areas of residential and commercial lettings, agricultural land transactions and in first registration applications and registration of rights of way.

Eileen also has experience in the area of Succession Law, Wills, Probate and Estates and in the area of Enduring Powers of Attorney.

Allison Dey (Solicitor, AITI Chartered Tax Advisor and Trust and Estate Practitioner) is an experienced private client lawyer since 2007.
Allison specialises in the areas of estate and capital tax planning, the transfer of wealth to the next generation (with a focus on gift and inheritance tax), succession law, wills, trusts (both domestic and offshore) and the administration of estates. Allison also advises a number of families in relation to trusts for individuals with special needs and the taxation of same.
Allison’s work also includes advising individuals and families on limited partnerships, appropriate trust structures and the transfer of assets by gift or inheritance for estate planning and asset protection purposes. She also advises clients on the taxation implications for beneficiaries and settlors of offshore trusts.

Experience and expertise

Ranked as a leading lawyer by international legal directory PLC Which Lawyer in the Private Client area, Allison is an expert in trust and estate planning and previously worked for ten years as a senior associate in the Private Client department of Matheson. She is an examiner on the Law Society’s diploma in trust and estate planning and a committee member of the Irish branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Tax Practitioners.

Allison has lectured to members of the Law Society and STEP on a wide range of estate planning issues and is a regular contributor to articles and journals on these matters. Allison is co-author of the Irish chapter of International Succession by Oxford University Press, the Irish chapters of the European Lawyer Reference Series on Private Client Tax and the International Comparative Legal Guide to: Private Client 2012 – 2016.

Allison holds a law degree from University College Galway, is regulated as a solicitor by the Law Society of Ireland and is an AITI Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA) with the Irish Taxation Institute. Allison previously qualified as a Solicitor in 2007 with A&L Goodbody before joining Matheson’s Private Client department.

Lorna graduated from the National University of Ireland Galway with a B.A. Degree followed by a Bachelor of Law Degree L.L.B. from the National University of Ireland Galway in 2012. She subsequently went on to study at The Law Society of Ireland where she qualified as a Solicitor under the guidance of founding partner of Berwick Solicitors, David Higgins.
During her time at Berwick Solicitors, she gained extensive experience in a broad range of practice areas but over the last number of years she has focused primarily in the area of Family Law.

Lorna specialises in the areas of family law arising from relationship or martial breakdown, such as Separation Agreements, Judicial Separation, Pre-Nuptial Cohabitation Agreements, Civil Partnerships and Divorce.
Family Law issues are often the most difficult and painful we encounter in legal practice. At Berwick Solicitors we understand that when there is a breakdown in personal relationships, emotions can run high and there are lots of things to consider and important decisions to be made, including the distribution of assets, financial matters and childcare issues and often the best course of action is to speak with a Family Solicitor and assess your options in a neutral setting.

Our aim is to work with clients to help them during this emotional time, assisting our clients to minimise their stress and try to resolve matters as effectively as possible, without having to go to court.

Berwick Solicitors won Connacht/Ulster Family Law Firm of the Year at the Irish Law Awards in 2018.

Alexandra graduated from the National University of Ireland, Galway with a Bachelor of Civil Law Degree in 2022. Alexandra joined Berwick Solicitors LLP in 2020 as an intern. She completed her degree and Law Society FE1 examinations while working with the firm.

Since joining the firm Alexandra has gained a wide experience in a wide variety of areas including Civil Litigation, Family Law, Employment law and Debt collection.

Alexandra has a special interest in Litigation, namely, Medical Negligence and Personal Injury suits.

Maria graduated from Pitman Galway with a Legal Secretary Diploma in Irish law in 2016 and joined the Berwick team in January 2017. Maria has experience working in the areas of litigation, conveyance and debt recovery. Maria joined the Family Law Department in 2019 and has since gained extensive experience in all areas of family law working under the expertise of David Higgins and Lorna Hrehorow.

Clodagh has been working for Berwick Solicitors since 2005 having completed the Legal Training Services Secretarial course. During her 16 years with the firm Clodagh has worked in many areas of law including Family Law, Probate, Litigation but predominantly Conveyancing. Clodagh obtained a Diploma in Property Law and Conveyancing from the Law Society of Ireland. Clodagh works in the Conveyancing Department alongside Ronan Murphy.

Carmel resides in Gort, County Galway. Carmel is proud to say she has over twenty-five years of experience as a Legal Secretary where she has worked in three different Legal firms. During this time, Carmel has gained ample experience in all aspects of Legal such as front desk Reception, Admin, Conveyancing, Probate, Family Law and she is currently working in Litigation as Legal Secretary to Emer Mulry Solicitor where she has gained exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.