Sarah Kelly

Partner
Legal & HR | Executive

Sarah Kelly has over 17 years’ experience recruiting Partners, Associates, General Counsel and HR Directors for leading international and Irish law firms, asset managers, fund administrators, insurance, banking and aviation leasing organisations.

Sarah is a Partner at The Panel where she heads up the legal recruitment practice.

Sarah has worked in the recruitment industry for over 20 years’ and has significant experience recruiting Partners, Associates & Senior In-House Counsel for leading Irish and international law firms, investment managers, banking, insurance and global leasing organisations. In addition, she manages exclusive and retained assignments for global technology, pharmaceutical, retail and FMCG organisations.

Sarah is the Dublin Partner for the Winmark CLO Network. In this role, she has organised a number of in-person workshops and educational events for Chief Legal Officers in Dublin.

Sarah is a member of 100 Women in Finance and was actively involved in setting up the Dublin location.

She has spoken on panels including at the ‘Law Society’s Annual Conference’ on talent in the legal sector, the GAIM OPS conference in Dublin on the recruitment & retention of financial services talent. Sarah has also been honoured to present at the 100Women in Finance NextGen career event, the Law Society’s Young Members Series and at the Winmark CLO Network ‘Stepping up to GC Level’ event.

Sarah has completed both the Corporate Mentoring Programme at the IMI and the American Chamber of Commerce Peer Learning and Mentoring Programme.

In 2024 she completed the ‘Behavioural Science at Work’ course, moderated by Dr. Diane Pelly.

She is a Fellow of the Employment and Recruitment Federation (ERF).

Sarah holds a BA in French and Sociology from University College Dublin, and a Diploma in Sales and Marketing from Dublin Institute of Technology.

Roles Sarah recruits for include:

Partners for Irish and International Law Firms, General Counsel, Head of Legal, Legal Directors, Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial Contracts Lawyers, Employment Lawyers, Investment Management Lawyers,  Insurance Lawyers, Construction Lawyers, Technology Lawyers, Aircraft Leasing Lawyers, Privacy Counsel, and Head of Company Secretarial.

Fun fact: Sarah has sailed across the Atlantic Ocean!!!

I am currently recruiting for the following positions;

Senior Legal Counsel (4 or 5 days p/w option)

Senior Legal Counsel Please note: Our client will consider this position on either a 4 or 5 day p/w basis. A highly successful Irish organistation,

Associate Legal Counsel - Investment Funds

*Associate Legal Counsel - Investment Funds* 'Growing business with exceptional career opportunities' An exciting opportunity has arisen for an

Company Secretary (manager level) - Insurance

Newly registered: February 2025 Our client is a global insurance based in Dublin 2. They offer excellent working conditions as well has hybrid

Legal Counsel - Plc - 4 or 5 days (hybrid working)

Our client is a leading Irish PLC with a strong presence in the Irish market. With over 400 employees at their headquarters and a well-established

Knowledge Lawyer - Top Tier Law Firm

Our client is a prestigious full-service law firm based in Dublin city. They are now seeking a highly motivated and experienced Knowledge Lawyer to

Financial Regulation Counsel - Financial Services

Our client is a hugely successful financial services organisation with an established legal and regulatory team. Due to continued growth across

Employment Law Partner - Mid-Tier Law Firm

Employment Law Partner – Leading Irish Law Firm Are you a seasoned Employment Law Partner seeking a new challenge with a prestigious Irish law

Employment Lawyer - Boutique Law Firm - Hybrid working

Our client runs a very successful boutique employment law firm, managing clients across multiple sectors. Dublin 2 location. Hybrid working. They are

Commercial Property Solicitor - Mid-Tier Firm

Our client is a leading Irish law firm with a high profile and long established client base. They are now keen to recruit an additional Commercial

Legal Counsel & DP Regulatory Compliance - Investment Manager

Our client is a global investment management company based in Dublin 2. They are now keen to hire a Legal Counsel & DP Regulatory Compliance

Senior Manager, Company Secretary (Not-for-profit) - 4 or 5 days per week

Our client is a high profile not-for-profit organisation based in Dublin 2. They offer a great working environment, including excellent work/life

Litigation Lawyer (strong advocacy skills) - Barrister

A leading full-service law firm in Dublin City seeks an exceptional Litigation Lawyer (5-8 years PQE) with outstanding advocacy skills to join its

Commercial Counsel - Global Fintech

Our client is a global technology organisation that has been operating in the Irish market for over 15 years. They have an established legal team in

Banking/Capital Market Lawyers - fully remote option - International Firm

*Remote working opportunity with law global firm* Capital Markets/Finance/Banking Team Our client is a global law firm with a long-established

Senior Legal Counsel, Insurance Organisation

Our client is a leading player in the insurance industry. They operate out of a central Dublin location and offer hybrid working. Due to ongoing

Senior Derivatives Lawyer - Global Organisation

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Derivatives Lawyer to join their team. This is an exciting opportunity to work for a global financial

Legal Counsel - AVP - Global Aircraft Leasing Organisation

Legal Counsel - Commercial Negotiation – Aviation Leasing Our client is a global player in the aviation leasing industry. Due to ongoing growth

Partner - Technology & Data, International Law Firm

*Technology & Data Practice, Partner, International Law Firm* Our client is an international law firm with a significant presence in Dublin. They are

International Law Firm - Senior Associate, Corporate Law

Our client is a global firm with an established presence in Dublin. They now have an opportunity for a Senior Associate, Corporate Lawyer to join the

Funds Lawyer - International Law Firm

Our client is a highly regarded law firm with a significant Asset Management Department. Working with many of the leading investment managers, they

In-House Counsel - International Investment Manager

Our client is a leading, global investment manager based in Dublin. Their legal team in Dublin has been established for a number of years and works