Séamus Given is a partner in our Employment Law Group. He has more than 30 years’ experience in advising on all aspects of employment law and industrial relations law and crisis management issues. 

Séamus commenced his career as an in-house employment lawyer in Telecom Éireann (eir) in 1985 and transferred to Arthur Cox in 1992, becoming a partner in 1995. Séamus advises and represents employers in disputes with employees, ex-employees, applicants for employment and trade unions, including in hearings before the WRC, the Labour Court, the Circuit Court, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the CJEU. He advises on bullying/harassment, grievances, discrimination, disciplinary matters, investigations and on dismissals/redundancies.   A particular area of interest is crisis management issues with an employment or industrial relations dimension and whistleblowing/protected disclosures.

Relevant Experience

  • Obtaining High Court injunctions restraining unlawful picketing by employees and their trade unions
  • Defending High Court injunction applications sought by employees to restrain the termination of employment and/or disciplinary action
  • Defending claims for personal injury and occupational illness/stress/bullying and harassment
  • Advising on disputes with trade unions on recognition issues and collective bargaining and claims in relation to pay and conditions
  • Advising on disputes with regard to retirement and pensions issues, including age discrimination, professional added years, augmentation of benefits and early retirement
  • Advocacy at the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court in litigation relating to statutory employment claims, as well as industrial relations issues
  • Defending deemed employment claims
  • Providing employment law advice and support on some of Ireland largest corporate transactions
  • Advising on the management/processing of whistleblowing/protected disclosure investigations
  • Advising on crisis management issues with a people dimension