Sarah Murphy is a Disputes Partner and co-Head of A&L Goodbody’s Disputes & Investigations group. Sarah has led and managed high-profile and large-scale litigation in every division of the Irish Courts and in particular representing clients before the Commercial Court, as well as regularly advising clients involved in commercial arbitrations, mediations and negotiations.
Sarah advises leading domestic and international corporate and regulated clients on a wide range of complex and cross-border commercial litigation and arbitral proceedings with particular expertise in corporate disputes, financial services disputes, contentious mass claims, pensions, insurance and product liability disputes.
Sarah has extensive experience in defending multi-party mass claims.
Areas of Expertise
Arbitration/Pensions Disputes & Investigations/Corporate Crises /Disputes/Investigations
Experience Advising:
- Public listed financial institution on defending mass litigation related to regulatory investigations into mortgage lending
- Element Six in its successful defence of claims in excess of €100 million brought in the Commercial Court in relation to the wind-up of a defined benefit pension scheme
- World leading provider of soft commodities in defending two related multi-million Commercial Court claims arising from allegedly contaminated product imported into the EU
- International development finance institution in defending Commercial Court shareholder oppression proceedings
- Tesco in defending Commercial Court proceedings in relation to a breach of contract dispute
- A financial institution in a complex insurance multi-million euro LCIA arbitration
- Public listed financial institution in High Court statutory appeals of decisions involving the interpretation of contractual entitlements of consumers
- Multinational tech and online marketplace companies in defending multiple claims involving negligence, contractual and on jurisdiction and governing law challenges before the Irish Courts
- IBRC (SL) and other financial institutions in the defence of Commercial Court claims relating to allegations of mis-selling of investments, derivatives and other financial instruments
- AIB in defending Commercial Court litigation against defaulting borrowers
- One of Ireland and Europe’s largest beef processors and pet food manufacturers in defending mass protests and other issues involving customers and suppliers
- Drinks manufacturer company in defending high court litigation relating to claims under the EU Commercial Agents Regulations
- Multinational tech company in resolving threatened litigation relating to alleged contractual termination for material breach
- Pension providers, Irish retail banks and investment service firms in the defence of financial and pension related complaints made to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) to include advising clients at oral hearings before the FSPO
Market Recommendations
'Next Generation Partner' (Legal 500 2022-2025)
'European Litigator of the Year' (Women in Business Law Awards 2024)
‘Sarah Murphy is very knowledgeable, responsive and well attuned to her clients' needs and the wider environment in which they operate. She is really one of the preeminent litigators for FSR disputes.’ (Chambers 2025)
'An exceptional leader and mentor' (Legal 500 2023)
Professional activities
Sarah is a CEDR Accredited Mediator and has a professional diploma qualification in arbitration.
Sarah is a director of the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for Ireland.
Sarah is a member of the Steering Committee for Dublin International Disputes Week, and a committee member of the Irish Commercial Mediation Association.
Education
- Professional Diploma, Arbitration, University College Dublin, 2015
- Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland, 2010
- Solicitor, England & Wales, 2010
- CEDR Accredited Mediator, 2009
- Diploma, Commercial Litigation, Law Society of Ireland, 2009
- BCL, University College Dublin, 2005
Sarah Murphy
Partner,
Disputes & Investigations
Dublin