John Cuddy
Managing Partner
John is from Kilnadeema, Loughrea, County Galway and has deep roots in Loughrea. John has spent all of his professional life in legal services in the East Galway area.
Prior to opening his own practice, John worked primarily in Litigation for a regional law firm, specialising in Personal Injuries and Medical Negligence , working for both Plaintiffs and Insurance Companies. As a Sole Practitioner, John developed skills in all areas of general practice, particularly Property, Litigation and Probate.
John has a particular interest in Wills, Probate and Estate planning and Probate litigation. Having worked on a number of significant Probate actions in recent years, John has developed considerable depth of expertise in this area.
John is also skilled conveyancer working in residential and agricultural conveyancing as well as landlord and tenant law. He has a particular interest in Agricultural affairs including Environmental Law and European Regulation. He has successfully resolved high profile Judicial Review cases involving several commonages on the South County Galway Slieve Aughties Mountains. Such work involved a complex sequence of High Court Judicial Reviews, Applications to the EU Petitions Courts and representations to the European Commission.
John is former member of a National Farming Organisation and represented farmers in the Oireachtas Agricultural Committee as well as before the EU Directorate General Agriculture and EU Directorate General of Environment of the EU Commission. John is also passionate about volunteering within the local community having been Secretary and Treasurer of the Loughrea Chamber of Commerce, Secretary of Kilnadeema Leitrim Hurling Club, Director of Naomh Breandan Credit Union, Loughrea as well as holding a membership on several other committees and action groups. Having two small children has slowed down his community activities for now.
John O’Neill
Partner
John is a Loughrea native and has been practicing in the area since he opened his own firm, John O’Neill & Co. in 2007. John has built a strong reputation in the legal field since qualifying as a solicitor in 2006. After gaining valuable experience in the sale and market in the financial software industry, John moved into law, bringing a unique blend of technical expertise and legal acumen to the practice. Having previously practiced in a broad range of practice areas to include Family Law, Criminal Law, Probate & Estates, John is now the partner with responsibility for Land law, Property and Conveyancing.
John has many decades experience in all aspect of property law having worked for private clients in residential property, commercial property and agricultural property as well as building developers and institutional clients. He is widely respected for his expertise, dedication to delivering tailored and comprehensive knowledge, earning him the trust of his colleagues and clients alike.
John has close ties with the local area having grown up in Loughrea and attended secondary school at Garbally College, Ballinasloe. He was previously secretary of Loughrea Lions Club and was vice President of Loughrea Chamber of Commerce. John is a keen cyclist and golfer.
Ambrose Cuddy
Senior Associate Solicitor
As a founding partner and former managing partner of Noonan & Cuddy LLP Solicitors, Ambrose has carved out a remarkable career spanning over 40 years. He is widely recognized as a preeminent solicitor in Personal Injury, Medical Negligence, and Professional Negligence Litigation. His reputation as a leading litigator is built on a track record of successfully handling high-profile cases, including representing clients in coroners’ courts nationwide.
More Recently, Ambrose has become widely known as a specialist in Medical Negligence cases and has procred a strong independent panel of experts to assist any client in such cases. His commitment to deepening his knowledge and skills in this area is further demonstrated by his continuous engagement in advanced training across the UK and Ireland, enriching his insight into the Irish and UK legal systems.
In 2017, Ambrose qualified as a Psychotherapist, a qualification that complements his legal practice by deepening his ability to empathise with clients and address their complex needs with greater sensitivity.
Ambrose’s expertise extends to succession law, will drafting, and probate matters, where he is highly regarded for his insightful advice and strategic approach. Ambrose has cultivated an highly successful legal career, his reputation is built on strategic thinking, comprehensive and personalised legal solutions and a steadfast dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients.
Outside of his professional achievements, Ambrose is an enthusiastic sportsman and community member, actively involved in astroturf football, cycling, running, and enjoying long walks with his family and adored dog. His extensive contributions to the GAA, including roles with Padraig Pearse’s teams, Ballinasloe’s Men’s Football teams, and the Galway men’s minor football team, underscore his dedication to both sports and community service. His generosity, work ethic and enthusiasm is exemplified by his community involvement, including his role as a director of the International College of Personal Professional Development (ICPPD).
Fionnuala Leahy
Senior Associate Solicitor
Fionnuala is from Moylough, County Galway and holds an Honours Bachelor of Corporate Law Degree, an Honours Postgraduate Bachelor of Laws Degree and a Diploma in Trusts and Estates Planning.
Fionnuala qualified as a solicitor in March 2015 having trained in a busy general practice in Galway City. Subsequently, Fionnuala was head of private client in a general practice firm in South Dublin. Having gained extensive experience in all areas of private client, Fionnuala moved to a Mid-Tier Commercial Practice firm in Dublin to work in the private client team specialising in residential property and probate, where, in addition to providing commercial property services, she acted for some of the major Receivers in Ireland, as well as advising several banking institutions on the disposal of distressed assets.
Fionnuala is a Qualified Trusts and Estates Practitioner with extensive knowledge and experience in Succession Law, Wills, Probate, Taxation and Trusts, and this is her main area of practice in the firm.
Eimear Torpey
Solicitor
Eimear is from Waterford originally and is living in Roscommon for a number of years. She completed a Bachelor of Business and Legal Studies Degree in UCD and was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 2010. Further enhancing her qualifications, she completed an LLM in International Commercial Law in 2014.
With extensive experience in both Defence and Plaintiff litigation, Eimear’s career includes notable in-house roles within the insurance industry in Dublin before transitioning to private practice. Eimear specialises in personal and fatal injuries, medical negligence, professional negligence and defamation claims.
Outside of her professional life, Eimear contributes to her family farm and has recently achieved a Level 6 Certificate in Agriculture (“Green Cert”), reflecting her dedication to both her career and personal interests.
Donna Cannon
Legal Executive
With a over decade of dedicated service working with at John O’Neill & Co., Donna has honed her expertise as a legal executive, specializing in property law while gaining comprehensive experience across all areas of law.
Specializing in property law, Donna has expertly managed a wide range of real estate transactions, from conveyancing to contract preparation, ensuring accuracy and compliance at every stage. Donna is recognized not only for her expertise in property law but also for her ability to support the firm’s broader legal needs. Her commitment to excellence and deep familiarity with the firm’s operations make them a valued asset to both colleagues and clients alike.
Patrice Hanley
Legal Secretary
With over 8 years of experience in John O’Neill & Co, Patrice is a seasoned legal professional with experience across all areas of law. She known for her efficiency, attention to detail, and comprehensive understanding of legal processes. Throughout her career, Patrice has supported solicitors and legal teams with a wide range of tasks, from managing complex case files to liaising with clients and coordinating legal documentation. Her in-depth knowledge across various legal disciplines allows them to anticipate the needs of their team and contribute meaningfully to the success of each case.
Committed to maintaining high standards of professionalism and confidentiality, Patrice is a trusted and reliable asset to any legal team, bringing a wealth of experience and a proactive approach to every task they undertake.
Sylvia Black
Legal Executive
With over 35 years at Noonan & Cuddy Solicitors, Sylvia has built an exceptional career as a legal secretary, specializing in medical negligence and personal injury law.
Throughout her career, Sylvia has played a pivotal role in supporting the firm’s legal operations, bringing unparalleled experience and a deep commitment to excellence. Her expertise has been crucial in managing complex case files, coordinating communication between clients, medical professionals, and legal teams, and overseeing statute control across the litigation profile.
Additionally Sylvia is a skilled research specialist with a focused expertise in gathering and analysing information for Medical Negligence and Personal Injury cases. With a meticulous approach, she excels in conducting thorough research that supports the preparation and strategy of complex legal matters, ensuring that every piece of information is accurate and pertinent Sylvia has significantly contributed to the firm’s success in achieving favourable outcomes for clients.
Julie Cusack
Legal Executive
With nearly four decades at Noonan & Cuddy Solicitors, Julie stands out as an exceptionally experienced legal executive specializing in conveyancing and probate law. Her extensive career is highlighted by her adept management of complex case files, precise organizational skills, and comprehensive knowledge of legal procedures across all areas of law. Her keen attention to detail and strong work ethic ensure the efficient handling of cases and the delivery of exceptional legal support.
A proud Galway woman, Julie is deeply rooted in her community and is our resident expert on all things GAA. Julie never misses a football match.
Lisa Dunleavey
Legal Secretary
Hailing from Ballymacward, Lisa, is a recent graduate of GMIT . Lisa joined our team in 2024 as a receptionist and legal secretary. Lisa brings a fresh perspective and a strong work ethic to our firm. Lisa is well-regarded for her energetic and conscientious approach, consistently showing a commitment to excellence in every task she undertakes. Her enthusiasm and dedication have made her a valued member of our team, contributing positively to our daily operations.
Lisa is progressing her legal career and currently working through the Law Society Entrance Exams.
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys life’s simple pleasures, cherishing time spent with family and friends. Her balanced approach to work and personal life reflects her genuine and grounded nature.
Karan Reilly
Legal Executive
Karan is a Loughrea native. She has worked throughout her career in the Legal industry, spending over 25 years working for a busy property law specialist firm in Galway City. Karan is known for her professionalism and discretion and is a dependable and esteemed team member. Her broad experience and proactive attitude make her an essential contributor to every aspect of her role. Karan carries a considerable workload helping clients through the stressful process of buying their home. As clients will always testify, Karan is cool calm and collected throughout the conveyance transaction which is greatly reassuring to purchasers, especially first time buyers.
When she’s not helping her clients through a conveyance Karan will be seen out and about in Loughrea or helping out with her grandchildren in Portumna.
Carmel Lawless
Legal Executive
Carmel worked for many years in Portumna, Co. Galway before joining Cuddy & Company in 2018. Carmel has particular expertise in Wills, Probate and estate planning. She
Known and loved by all of her former Portumna clients, Carmel is often the first reassuring voice for a client who has lost a loved one or is in need of some urgent assistance. She is known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and sensitivity and personalized approach treating each client as a close confidant.
Alina Georgescu
Accounts Manager
Alina was John Cuddy’s first employee in 2016. She has extensive experience in all areas of general practice but has developed speciality in bookkeeping and office accounting. Alina is particularly will versed in Solicitors accounts and regulations.
Amy Lawless
Intern
Amy joined Noonan Cuddy O’Neill LLP as an intern starting out on her professional journey. She has already proven herself as a valuable member of our team. We look forward to continuing to nurture her career.