Helen O’Brien is a leading practitioner in the area of adoption law and has over thirty years’ experience in all aspects of adoption matters. She developed her special interest in adoption while serving as a special legal advisor to the Adoption Committee of the South Eastern Health Board in the 1980’s.
Since then, Helen has advised the H.S.E. and its successor Tusla – Child and Family Agency in adoption matters. She has acted jointly for these bodies and adoptive parents in many complex and urgent High Court adoption applications and preliminary applications to the Adoption Authority of Ireland under the Adoption Act, 2010.
Based in Waterford and serving clients nationally, she is also consulted and engaged by private individuals in both domestic and inter country adoptions.
Helen is highly regarded by her colleagues and clients for her breadth and depth of understanding and practice in supporting children who have journeyed through the legal childcare system and has achieved successful legal outcomes for them and their families.