Michael Staines & Co

v638sg7k1a92bx

I notice this firm is appearing in the media alot recently. Al Porter, Conor McGregor and today Sean Fitzpatrick.

I could be wrong and this is going back 10 years but is this the same firm that used to do a large amount of criminal free legal aid? Not knocking it, just curious. I was involved in a family law case about 10 years ago and was preparing an affidavit of means. I had to go to what I think was this firms office which was in Dublin 7 and I remember there was a reception with a glass partition where clients would come up to the window (not your traditional professional services firm) Can anyone remember if this is the same firm as it seems they are Ireland's version of the lawyer to the stars these days?

coylemj

Hattie Scary Package wrote: »

I notice this firm is appearing in the media a lot recently. Al Porter, Conor McGregor and today Sean Fitzpatrick.

And they revel in the attendant publicity .....

Michael J Staines & Company has represented public figures and individuals in some of the highest profile and complex cases in the Irish criminal courts.

http://www.michaelstaines.ie/profile

randomrb

The vast majority of ciriminal work is funded by legal aid and the state. You couldn't exist as a criminal firm without it the private market isn't big enough. Even relatively wealthy people get legal aid for serious crimes.

v638sg7k1a92bx

randomrb wrote: »

The vast majority of ciriminal work is funded by legal aid and the state. You couldn't exist as a criminal firm without it the private market isn't big enough. Even relatively wealthy people get legal aid for serious crimes.

I understand that but I'm saying that the profile of the cases seems to have changed. Fitzpatrick case would be very different from a drunk and disorderly.

I'm not knocking them they appear to be doing good work and representing their clients well, it just seems that they have build a reputation in criminal law in the last 10 years, most of which I have been away for, which is why I'm curious if this is the same firm?

Claw Hammer

Hattie Scary Package wrote: »

I understand that but I'm saying that the profile of the cases seems to have changed. Fitzpatrick case would be very different from a drunk and disorderly.

I'm not knocking them they appear to be doing good work and representing their clients well, it just seems that they have build a reputation in criminal law in the last 10 years, most of which I have been away for, which is why I'm curious if this is the same firm?
It is the same firm. There are only about 7 or 8 firms operating exclusively in criminal defence and related work with more than 8 staff. Given that the vast majority of solicitors in the country do no criminal work at all, it is not surprising that when someone wants a well resourced solicitor firm for criminal defence work, the same few solicitor firms will be the only available options. There are thousads of solicitors i Dublin but only about 200 operating in criminal defence work.

v638sg7k1a92bx

Claw Hammer wrote: »

It is the same firm. There are only about 7 or 8 firms operating exclusively in criminal defence and related work with more than 8 staff. Given that the vast majority of solicitors in the country do no criminal work at all, it is not surprising that when someone wants a well resourced solicitor firm for criminal defence work, the same few solicitor firms will be the only available options. There are thousads of solicitors i Dublin but only about 200 operating in criminal defence work.

Interesting. What's the reason for avoiding criminal defence work, too messy?

Claw Hammer

Hattie Scary Package wrote: »

Interesting. What's the reason for avoiding criminal defence work, too messy?

Very little money unless there is a large volume of it. There is far more wok in civil law. Going to court for one legal aid matter won't pay enough. A solicitor could be hanging around for hours for €50.

coylemj

Hattie Scary Package wrote: »

Interesting. What's the reason for avoiding criminal defence work, too messy?

How soon they forget......

Hattie Scary Package wrote: »

I had to go to what I think was this firms office which was in Dublin 7 and I remember there was a reception with a glass partition where clients would come up to the window (not your traditional professional services firm)

randomchild

Also you have to be able to provide an on-call service throughout the night and attend garda stations with little notice.