Louise O’Byrne

Partner | Dublin

Ten Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin 2
D02 T380
Ireland

Louise has a broad advisory, litigation and transactional practice covering all aspects of employment law both contentious and non-contentious.

Louise provides commercial and solutions focussed advice to a wide range of clients to include clients in the financial services, manufacturing, retail, technology, energy, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Louise advises and represents employers in contentious matters relating to unfair dismissal, employment injunctions, protected disclosures, occupational stress and bullying claims, transfer of undertakings, fixed-term and part-time work and discrimination claims. She regularly appears for clients in the Workplace Relations Commission, the Circuit Court and the High Court. Louise has particular expertise in advising on the employment aspects of corporate transactions and outsourcings.

Relevant Experience

Advising on statutory compliance and the legal framework governing the employment relationship, including in relation to recruitment, selection, absenteeism, maternity leave, notice periods, working time, equality, redundancy, fixed term and part time workers, whistleblowing, and transfer of undertakings
Representing clients in employment-related litigation before the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court
Advising on the defence of Circuit Court and High Court proceedings in relation to employment and pensions disputes
Advising in respect of workplace investigations, grievances, disciplinary hearings and appeals
Providing client training on all aspects of employment law, health and safety law, the employment relationship and handling employee disputes
Advising on retirement and pensions issues, including age discrimination, professional added years, augmentation of benefits and early retirement
Defending deemed employment claims
Advising regulated financial service providers on issues of fitness and probity in relation to senior managers and executives

Endorsements

“Louise O’Byrne – very impressive. All over the detail and delivers advice calmly and confidently.”

The Legal 500: Europe, Middle East & Africa, 2025

“Louise O’Byrne is an excellent lawyer with practical insight.”

Chambers Europe: Europe’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2025

“Louise O’Byrne takes a vested interest in her clients. She takes a partnership approach and advises on all matters that range from both a strategic and operational perspective, and is a solid sounding board. She is super responsive, and gives real time advice which is critical often in employment matters and her advice is digestible by all. She is my ‘go-to’ lawyer in all employment law matters.”

The Legal 500: Europe, Middle East & Africa, 2022

Louise O’Byrne is “very hard-working and a great adviser.”

Chambers Europe: Europe’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2022

Education & Qualifications

University College Cork, BCL
University College Dublin, Diploma in Employment Law
Law Society of Ireland, Diploma in Commercial Litigation
Law Society of Ireland, Diploma in Corporate Law and Governance
CEDR Accredited Mediator
Member of Law Society of Ireland Employment and Equality Committee
Member of Women’s Executive Network (WXN)

Related Services

Employment Health and Safety Technology and Innovation Financial Services

Insights Blog

IAF/SEAR Update: Business Standards Regulations published (effective 24 March 2026)

25/03/2025 Insights blog

Bill which allows for the postponement of maternity leave and restricts the use of NDAs to become law

29/10/2024 Insights blog

Department of Finance publishes Review of the Taxation of Share-Based Remuneration

15/10/2024 Insights blog

Employment Law Update: Supreme Court upholds mandatory retirement age

28/05/2024 Insights blog

Right to work extended to eligible spouses and partners of all employment permit holders

16/05/2024 Insights blog

Arthur Cox advises Phoenix Tower International on acquiring Cellnex Telecom’s towers

05/03/2024

Deals

Arthur Cox sponsors the Spring European Employment Summit 2024

25/01/2024

People

Geoff Moore

Ailish Finnerty

Partner and Chair, Dublin

Services

ESG Hub

News

Arthur Cox is named Ireland Legal Adviser of the Year

Knowledge

Insights Blog

Careers

Why Work With Us

About Us

Sustainable Business at Arthur Cox

Louise O’Byrne

Relevant Experience

Insights Blog

IAF/SEAR Update: Business Standards Regulations published (effective 24 March 2026)

Bill which allows for the postponement of maternity leave and restricts the use of NDAs to become law

Department of Finance publishes Review of the Taxation of Share-Based Remuneration

Employment Law Update: Supreme Court upholds mandatory retirement age

Right to work extended to eligible spouses and partners of all employment permit holders

Increased protection for employees in insolvency situations signed into law

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