Dr John Cahir SC is a partner and Head of A&L Goodbody's Technology group, the largest team of dedicated technology law specialists in the Irish market . He draws on over two decades of experience in advising the world’s leading technology companies that operate their European headquarters from Ireland.
Combining in-depth industry knowledge with practical problem solving, John guides technology clients on the complex regulatory and compliance challenges that they face in providing their products across the EU. He represents clients in large scale investigations before the Data Protection Commission and has acted in some of the highest profile technology disputes to come before the Irish courts. He also represents clients before the EU’s General Court and the Court of Justice.
In 2024, John was appointed Senior Counsel.
Areas of Expertise
Data Protection/Intellectual Property/Artificial Intelligence /Content and Platform Regulation/Disputes/Investigations
Market Recommendations
"Hall of Fame." (Legal 500, 2020 - 2025)
"John Cahir is excellent and extremely authoritative." (Legal 500 2025)
"John is a real deep thinker and a stand-out lawyer."
"Attracts a wealth of praise highlighting the breadth of his IP expertise across contentious and non-contentious matters...frequently acts for international clients with operations in Ireland."
Professional activities
John has been an occasional lecturer on University College Dublin’s LLM programme and on the Law Society of Ireland’s diploma courses. John is a regular speaker at conferences in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the United States and is widely published in both trade and academic journals.
Education
- PhD, Queen Mary University of London, 2004
- Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland, 2000
- LLM, University College Dublin, 2000
- BCL, University College Dublin, 1996

John Cahir
Partner,
Technology
Dublin