A personal look from Martina Murphy Solicitors ahead of International Women’s Day

1. What first sparked the idea for your business?

Setting up my own practice was always something I hoped to do. I was fortunate to gain invaluable experience working with excellent solicitors, but in time I felt ready for a new challenge.

I often met people who felt overwhelmed or intimidated by the legal process, and I wanted to build a practice that felt approachable, transparent, and supportive.

2. How would you describe what your business does best?

We provide clear, practical legal advice and strong representation. What we do best is guide clients through often stressful situations with clarity and confidence, ensuring they understand every step of the process.

Our strength lies in combining technical expertise with a personal approach. We take the time to understand each client’s situation and tailor our advice accordingly. Clients know they can rely on us for responsiveness and straight-talking guidance.

3. What advice would you tell yourself if you were starting over?

I’d say: be patient and don’t try to do everything alone. Don’t be a jack of all trades. If you need a bookkeeper, hire a bookkeeper, don’t try and do the accounts yourself if you are not trained.

Running a firm takes resilience, but it also takes support. Surround yourself with good people. I am fortunate that many of my team have stayed with me since the beginning. I would not have the firm I have today if it was not for the good team I have.

4. Where do you see the business heading next?

Opening our second office in Castletroy has been a major milestone and reflects the steady growth of the practice over the past few years.

The focus now is on consolidating that growth — strengthening our team, maintaining high standards, and continuing to provide trusted, client-centred legal services across both locations – Castletroy and Dooradoyle.

5. Do you have a personal motto you live by?

Treat others as you would like them to treat you.

As International Women’s Day approaches, it’s the perfect time to celebrate women who lead with both strength and compassion.

Martina Murphy, Principal Solicitor and founder of Martina Murphy Solicitors, is one such inspiring figure. Since founding her practice in 2007, Martina has not only built a successful legal career but has also created a firm that prioritises care, transparency, and excellence.

Based in Dooradoyle/Raheen and Castletroy, Limerick, Martina Murphy Solicitors combines specialist legal expertise with a personal touch. The firm is large enough to provide expert support for every matter but small enough to ensure that every client feels heard and valued.

This unique approach has earned the firm an excellent reputation across the Mid-West and the prestigious LQ Standard of Excellence, recognizing the high standard of client care delivered consistently.

Martina’s passion lies in helping people navigate some of life’s most challenging moments. With expertise in family law, mental health law, and education law, she guides clients through sensitive matters with empathy and clarity.

Her work extends beyond the courtroom; as an accredited mediator, she helps families resolve disputes amicably wherever possible.

Under her leadership, the firm offers a broad spectrum of legal services, including personal injury and compensation claims for workplace or road accidents, employment law support covering workplace rights and disputes, property transactions through conveyancing, probate and wills for estate planning, and guidance in education and mental health law.

The firm also has strong expertise in international law, Hague Convention matters, surrogacy and adoption, and gender and equality law, ensuring clients dealing with complex or cross-border matters are in capable hands.

Martina’s vision for her practice is brought to life by a team of dedicated professionals. Antoinette Cusack, Associate Partner, specialises in personal injury litigation and employment law, while Alva Cronin, also an Associate Partner, focuses on conveyancing and probate.

Caroline Kennelly, Practice Manager, ensures the office runs smoothly and every client is welcomed warmly, creating a calm and efficient environment. Yvonne Nolan, Family Law Solicitor, brings a wealth of knowledge in international law, Hague Convention cases, surrogacy, and adoption.

Lynda Ivess, Legal Secretary, manages client timelines, accounts, and payroll, and Shirley Cossavella, Legal Executive, with over 25 years of experience, provides invaluable administrative support.

Together, they create an environment where clients feel supported and understood, reflecting Martina’s ethos of combining professionalism with humanity.

Outside of work, Martina balances her legal career with family life in County Limerick, where she lives with her husband Ivan and their three young boys. Her journey embodies the spirit of International Women’s Day: leadership, resilience, and dedication to making a positive impact on her community.

Her approach to law—combining expert knowledge with empathy—ensures that every client receives guidance, clarity, and confidence at every stage of their legal journey.

Martina Murphy Solicitors is more than a law firm; it is a reflection of Martina herself—expert, empathetic, and committed to excellence.

Whether navigating family disputes, personal injury claims, property transactions, probate matters, or complex international cases, Martina and her team provide legal solutions with warmth, integrity, and professionalism.

In celebrating Martina this International Women’s Day, we recognize not only her achievements but also the example she sets for women in law, business, and leadership across Limerick and beyond.

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