Born and educated in Limerick, Linda O’Shea Farren obtained a law degree (BCL (Hons.)) from University College Cork in 1981, was an apprentice solicitor in Clonakilty, West Cork and qualified as a solicitor in the Hilary Term of 1985.  In 1986, she qualified as a New York Attorney-at-Law and practiced in the New York and London offices of the major international law firm Debevoise & Plimpton until her return to Ireland in 1993. 

Upon her return, she first worked as a Manager in investment banking in Dublin until she was appointed Programme Manager and Political Adviser at the Department of Justice in January 1995.  In 1997, she was appointed Director of Corporate and Legal Affairs at the Irish Wheelchair Association and has since set up her own solicitors practice in January 2000.  In addition to being qualified in Ireland and New York, she is also admitted to practise law in England & Wales and in the United States Supreme Court. 

In addition to being elected Chairman of Convocation of the NUI in December 2003, Linda O’Shea Farren was elected a Member of the Senate of the NUI in October 2002 and is a member of the Senate Sub-Committee on the Future Role of NUI.  Other voluntary work includes: 

• Active disability rights advocate, including appearing before the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Geneva, Switzerland in April 2002 on behalf of Forum of People with Disabilities, presenting the case for the Irish Government to answer in relation to its own and successive governments’ record in relation to people with disabilities
• Founding President of the Irish American Bar Association of New York, which is still a thriving organisation
• Founding Chairperson of Music Education Action Group, which issued a major Report Music Education: The Poor Relation
• Former Chairperson/ Secretary/ Committee Member of Parent Teacher Associations at Sandford National School and Scoil Bhride in Ranelagh and St. Patrick’s Cathedral Choir School. 

A member of Council of Convocation since 2002, and chairman since 2003, she can be contacted at osfarren@indigo.ie