Finola McCarthy

Partner, Cork Office

Finola Heads RDJ’s procurement and construction teams. She has vast experience in all types of development, construction and engineering projects both public and private sector from initial procurement through to dispute resolution. Finola is experienced in all principal forms of contract used in design build, EPC, construction, infrastructure and energy projects such as FIDIC, RIAI, IEI, government public works and several bespoke forms.

Finola has extensive experience in advising local authorities and other public bodies on all aspects of public procurement and administrative law issues. Her practice includes environmental law and related project issues including health and safety and planning. She is Member of the Irish Environmental Law Association, Irish Society of European Law and Health and Safety Lawyers Association of Ireland. She lectures at the Law Society’s Diploma in Construction Law.

Finola has been widely recognised for her work in planning, environmental and construction law in Chambers Europe and The Legal 500.

Education

University College Cork (BCL)
University of Dundee (Diploma in Petroleum and Mineral Law)
University College Dublin (Diploma in European Law)

Professional

Admitted as a solicitor in Ireland.

Accolades

Finola has been recognised by Chambers Europe for her work in Construction Law. She has also been recommended as a Leading Individual by The Legal 500 for Construction and recognised for her work across Planning and Environment, Public Sector and Eu and Competition.

Cork +353 21 4802771 Download vCard Email Finola Connect on LinkedIn Print profile

Practice Areas

Sectors

Finola has a clear way of explaining her client's position.

– Chambers Europe (2025)

Finola McCarthy has huge experience and a wonderfully calm demeanour, no matter what the context.

– Chambers Europe 2025

‘Finola is extremely experienced. She also has experience negotiating against many construction companies in Ireland and has valuable insights on how such companies might react to particular negotiation points. She can explain concepts in plain, easy-to-understand English for clients who are not construction law experts. She is a safe pair of hands, and I would not hesitate to recommend her to others.'

– The Legal 500 (2025)

Finola is a go-to construction lawyer – she is simply outstanding. When she is working on construction contracts clients know they are in safe hands. Finola and her team have unparalleled experience – there is nothing she hasn’t seen.

– The Legal 500 (2024)

Finola McCarthy is not only extremely knowledgeable but also provides pragmatic and thoughtful advice.

– Chambers Europe (2024)

Finola McCarthy

Education

Professional

Accolades

Practice Areas

Sectors

Related Content

Clause for concern: The impact of tariffs on construction projects in Ireland

RDJ Housing Conference: Foundations 25

Data Protection Commissioner publishes Toolkit for Schools

Understanding employee consultation obligations within the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) framework

RDJ Diversity Scholarship aims to impact ethnic diversity in legal profession

Problems for Landlord with Tenant Lease renewal claim