Karen O'Leary
UK Guide 2025
Band 1 : Family/Matrimonial
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 (0)28 7126 1334Share profile
Band 1
About
Provided by Karen O'Leary
Practice Areas
Karen leads Caldwell & Robinson’s Family Law practice. With extensive experience on all issues that may arise upon the breakdown of a relationship and family law, her specialist expertise covers both private and public law, and multiple jurisdictions.
Qualified to practice in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, England, and Wales, Karen is regularly consulted by government and state agencies on legal matters from other jurisdictions. In 2011, she was invited to be a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), an organisation of leading global family lawyers. She is also a regular speaker on family law matters and has addressed the Four Jurisdictions Family Law Conference on a number of occasions, the European Family Justice Observatory, most recently speaking about the implications of Brexit on family law.
Educated at the United World College (New Mexico, USA), Birmingham University, and the College of Law (Chester), Karen qualified as a solicitor in 1994. She worked for Gouldens (now Jones Day) in London and Brussels, before moving to Northern Ireland in 1995 when she was admitted as a solicitor in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Chambers Review
UK
Karen O'Leary heads the family law department at Caldwell & Robinson and advises on matters concerning both matrimonial finance and children. She garners praise for her international expertise and is frequently engaged to assist with Hague Convention proceedings.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Karen demonstrates intelligence, industry and empathy in her management of cases."
"I think Karen is head and shoulders above the rest. She's particularly well regarded in relation to complex HNW cases."
"Karen O'Leary is a true leader and there's no question as to her expertise."
"It is a delight to work with Karen as she brings so much expertise to a case. She is a most formidable opponent."
"Karen's communication with and on behalf of clients is of the highest calibre. She is transparent, informed and correctly pitched to achieve the best outcomes."
"Karen demonstrates intelligence, industry and empathy in her management of cases."
"I think Karen is head and shoulders above the rest. She's particularly well regarded in relation to complex HNW cases."
"Karen O'Leary is a true leader and there's no question as to her expertise."
"It is a delight to work with Karen as she brings so much expertise to a case. She is a most formidable opponent."
"Karen's communication with and on behalf of clients is of the highest calibre. She is transparent, informed and correctly pitched to achieve the best outcomes."
