Deirdre qualified as a Solicitor in 1993. She was made partner with the firm in early 2003. After completion of her LL.B. degree, Deirdre worked for the Centre for European Legal Policy in Bremen. On her return to Ireland, she qualified as a Solicitor, concentrating on banking and construction law. She moved to Dublin in 1996 and worked as in-house legal advisor with ACCBank. She returned to Cork in 1997 to work with JW O'Donovan, concentrating on commercial property and banking law areas. Since joining JW O'Donovan, Deirdre has also worked extensively in the areas of retail/ commercial property and developments, planning and environmental law. Deirdre is co-author of a book on the Single Market and European Integration and has also published works in consumer law.