About this event
Join us for a deep dive into the latest developments in employment law!
Employment law in motion: Strengthening resilience, preparing for risk
Staying up to date with employment law can be challenging in a rapidly evolving EU and Irish legislative landscape. The annual CIPD Employment Law Conference, supported by Adare Trusted People Partners, takes place on Wednesday 27 May 2026 at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, and is designed to help busy people professionals cut through complexity and act with confidence.
This essential full-day conference reflects the reality that employment law is in motion at a time of significant change across Ireland and the EU, requiring organisations to continuously strengthen resilience in how they interpret and apply legal developments, while proactively preparing for emerging risks. Through real-world insights and practical case examples, it will help attendees benchmark their approach, assess their current compliance position, and set clear strategic priorities for 2026 and beyond.
With a strong focus on legislative change, regulatory risk, and compliance obligations, the programme goes beyond legal theory to deliver practical, actionable insights that support confident, evidence-based decision-making in a complex and evolving environment.
Hear from leading legal and employment experts from Adare Trusted People Partners, alongside CIPD, experienced people and employee relations practitioners, and forward-thinking employers, sharing timely insights on key developments and how organisations are responding in practice. The conference also explores how strong legal foundations, combined with confident day-to-day practice, can enable progressive people approaches, supporting sustainable organisational culture and a positive employee experience, with opportunities to benchmark approaches with peers.
Join this collaborative forum for a full day of learning, discussion and networking with peers. Leave with practical tools, shared insight, and the confidence to apply your knowledge effectively, strengthen resilience, manage risk, and future-proof your people strategies for the year ahead.
Programme highlights
- Employee Relations Landscape
- Pay Transparency
- EU AI Act
- Classification of work
- Restructuring and Redundancies
- Longer Working and Retirement
- The hardest Employment Law decisions leaders face - where law, ethics and leadership collide
More details to come.
For group bookings of 4 or more, contact events@cipd.ie .
Cancellations: Cancellations MUST be notified in writing.
No refund can be made for cancellations received after 13 May 2026. A substitution may be made at any time. CIPD reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the event or change its associated programme or substitute a speaker. In the event of cancellation, liability is limited to the amount of registration only.
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Meet Adare Trusted People Partners speakers:
Katie Ridge, Barrister
Katie Ridge, Chartered MCIPD and Barrister at Law, seamlessly integrates practical Human Resource expertise with a profound understanding of employment law and adept workplace investigation skills. With a demonstrated track record, she consistently assists organizations by delivering practical legal and professional advice, offering guidance that aligns seamlessly with operational needs.
Specializing in workplace investigations, grievance, and disciplinary matters, Katie brings extensive experience in representing Organisations before the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court. With a robust background supporting a diverse range of private, not-for-profit, and public sector entities, she leverages 15 years as a barrister in conjunction with a decade of HR roles to provide comprehensive support to clients. Katie’s unique blend of legal and HR proficiency positions her as a valuable resource for strategic decision-making in employment-related matters. ensuring holistic and effective support for organisational success
An adept employment law consultant, Katie specialises in providing comprehensive guidance on complex workplace legal matters. With a nuanced understanding of labour regulations, she ensures Organisations remain compliant while fostering a fair and inclusive work environment. Katie’s strategic counsel empowers businesses to navigate employment challenges seamlessly and in a commercial and practical manner.
Michelle McDonagh
Michelle Mc Donagh, holder of an MSc in HR Strategies, Chartered MCIPD, and PGDip in Employment Law, stands as an exceptional and proficient Human Resources and Employment Law practitioner. As the Chief Client Officer at Adare Human Resource Management, Michelle showcases her unparalleled talent by seamlessly supporting clients in the execution of strategic initiatives, employee relations, industrial relations, and expansive human resources consulting projects. Her role underscores a commitment to professionalism and commercial excellence, extending across the entirety of Ireland.
With a rich background spanning private, not-for-profit, and public sectors, Michelle leverages her strategic acumen to scrutinize diverse organisations, sculpting bespoke HR models that intricately align with organisational goals. Her strategic focus encompasses pivotal areas including organisational design, the refinement of critical skills, leadership development, and the provision of day-to-day, practical Human Resources and Employment Law advice – all grounded in cultivating a positive employee experience.
Michelle Mc Donagh is not only an expert in her field but also a commercial powerhouse, ensuring her clients receive unparalleled guidance, marked by talent, proficiency, professionalism, and a strategic approach that drives organisational success.
Paul D Maier BL, Barrister-at-Law, Member of The Bar of Ireland
Paul D Maier is a barrister specialising in the law of work, labour and employment. He is a member of the Law Library in Dublin, Ireland, having been called to the Bar in 2022.
Paul appears on behalf of employers and employees at all levels of the Courts, and before the Labour Court and Workplace Relations Commission. He is a qualified arbitrator and is commissioned to lead independent investigations and disciplinary procedures for organisations. He is a member of the Employment Law Association of Ireland, the Health and Safety Lawyer’s Association of Ireland, the Professional, Regulatory and Disciplinary Bar Association, the EU Bar Association, the Corporate & Insolvency Bar Association, and is a member of the Council of the Irish Association for Industrial Relations.
Paul is regularly engaged to provide legal advice and opinion on employment law and related matters. Paul also serves as a Part-Time Member of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal.
He is the Editor of the Irish Employment Law Journal and Employment Law Report and the Treasurer of the Employment Bar Association.
Derek McKay
Derek McKay, BBS, Chartered MCIPD, is an experienced Human Resource and Employment Law practitioner who has worked extensively in the private, not-for-profit and public sectors.
Since founding Adare Human Resource Management in 2003, Derek has overseen the growth of the business to become one of Ireland’s leading HR, Employment Law and Industrial Relations Consultancies. In 2022, Derek changed roles from Managing Director to joining the Board of Directors.
Derek regularly speaks at seminars for companies and associations throughout the country on HR and Employment related topics and contributes to numerous publications in this area also. Prior to setting up Adare Human Resource Management, Derek worked in the Human Resource Departments in a number of multinational organisations.
Derek is currently a member of the CIPD National Committee and a member and former Chair of the Sustainable HRM Skillnet.
Additionally, in his spare time, Derek contributes by volunteering as the Chairperson for the Marie Keating Foundation, a charity whose mission is to make cancer less frightening by enlightening and whose aim is to live in a world free from the fear of cancer.
