Elaine Byrne Solicitors wins ‘Probate Law Firm of Year’ at Irish Law Awards

Elaine Byrne Solicitors was honoured on Friday June 6 last as winner of ‘Probate Law Firm of the Year’, at a ceremony in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan addressed the almost 600 solicitors and legal professionals who attended, and former president, Mary Robinson, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Anton Savage hosted the event.

Elaine Byrne Solicitors was established in February 2022 by Elaine Byrne (Murtagh); its offices are above Murtagh’s Pharmacy in Athboy, County Meath.

Elaine attributes the success of the firm to the team Mary Farrell, Peter Butler, Laura Smith, Andrea McBride, Rebecca Rae and Eoin Byrne along with herself. It has grown quickly and now has almost 1,000 active matters. The firm specialises in probate, from the straightforward to the complex. It attends to administrations, and to contentious probate and court applications.

A cornerstone of the firm’s ethos is to try to bring families together and if possible, to avoid lengthy and expensive court proceedings; to that end, Elaine and the team work in a collaborative way with clients and colleagues.

The firm also works in the area of conveyancing.

Elaine herself is a native of Clondalever, Collinstown, daughter of Mary and the late William Murtagh, farmers – Mary is still farming and Elaine attributes her work ethic and passion for her work to her parents.

“Daddy loved farming and was passionate about what he did. I didn’t follow him into farming but I like to think that I followed his and Mam’s strong work ethic and ‘can do’ attitude,” she said.

Elaine’s husband Eoin is involved in the business and they hope that they will pass a love for work, whatever it may be, to their three children Michael, Liam and Mary.

The firm’s expertise in probate is highlighted in Elaine’s contribution to media on the topic, including regular contributions to Ireland AM, the Claire Byrne Show, the Irish Times and Sunday Independent.

Elaine is a member of the Law Society Probate Committee, one of just 20 solicitors nationally. She also is regularly chosen by the High Court to act as independent administrator in family situations to bring estates to a conclusion.

The firm contributes to local charities and causes in terms of time, expertise and donations. Elaine is a founding member of the Meath Alzheimer Café and gives a presentation annually. She also gives talks to various groups and highlights the importance of planning for the future.