Susan studied at University College Dublin, trained in McCann FitzGerald and qualified as a solicitor in 1996. Susan became a partner in McCann FitzGerald in 2002, leading the Private Client department of the firm for the following ten years, until the establishment of O’Connell Brennan in February 2012.
Susan specialises in personal estate and tax planning, wills and succession, trusts (both domestic and international), the administration of estates and contentious probate and trust issues. She advises individuals and families on asset protection, asset structuring and the transfer of assets by gift or inheritance. Susan also advises charities and non-profit organisations and donors in relation to philanthropic giving.
She has written and lectured extensively in both charity law and trust and estate planning and authored the Irish chapters of "Planning and Administration of Offshore and Onshore Trusts" and “International Trust Precedents” and co-authored the Irish chapter of "Offshore Service".
Susan is a former chairperson of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Ireland, an associate of the Irish Taxation Institute, a Chartered Tax Adviser and a member of the International Academy of Trust and Estate Law.
Directory Comments
“Private client specialist Susan O’Connell is co-founder of O’Connell Brennan Solicitors, and receives high praise from both clients and peers. “She is very knowledgeable and really practical. She is au fait with everything involved and takes a holistic view” report sources.” Chambers, 2014
“Private client specialist Susan O’Connell is widely regarded as a leader in her field, with clients describing her as “commercial, practical, and succinct and clear in her advice”. One interviewee adds: “It is comforting to deal with her as you know she is an expert.” Chambers 2013
““Super lawyer” Susan O’Connell recently left McCann FitzGerald to co-found O’Connell Brennan Solicitors. She wins a great deal of praise from market sources, who describe her as “practical, sensible and very bright – she is the type of person who gets us to where we need to be.” She specialises in private client work and has a broad practice covering many aspects of the area.” Chambers 2012
Susan is described as a “Leading Lawyer” in the Citywealth Leaders List 2013 & 2014 and in the PLC Which Lawyer Cross Border Private Client Handbook.
She is also listed as an expert in The International Who’s Who of Private Client Lawyers 2013.
Susan was awarded 'Best in Trust & Estates' at the inaugural Euromoney Legal Media Group - European Women in Business Law awards, June 2011.