Mullingar lawyer leading new era for Irish-American legal community in New York

The Irish American Bar Association of New York has been in existence since 1987, and today it continues to connect Irish-American legal professionals through social, cultural and educational events.

Darren Moore, originally from Ireland and now running his own personal injury law firm in New York, speaks to IrishCentral about his role as President of the IABANY and his plans for its future.

Can you tell us about your role as President of the Irish American Bar Association of New York?

As President of the Irish American Bar Association of New York (IABANY), my role is to lead an organization that serves as a hub for Irish-American legal professionals. The organization itself exists to foster connections and friendship among the men and women of the New York bar who are proud of their Irish heritage or who are simply fans of Irish culture.

Social networking event with the Irish American Bar Association of New York

We put on events to provide opportunities for our members to meet and deepen their relationships and pay special attention to our younger members, whether they recently arrived from Ireland, or law students or recent law graduates from the US, so that we may act as a source of support and advice in helping them establish their careers. My role is not just maintaining but actively strengthening the bonds and networks between attorneys of Irish heritage.

If you’d like to join IABANY's mailing list and be updated about upcoming events, click here.

2. What has been the personal highlight for you over the past year?

There have been plenty but one of the highlights of my tenure so far was being honored with the Irish Central Engagement Champion of the Year Award for leadership in creating meaningful connections within the Irish-American legal community.

That recognition at the historic American Irish Historical Society was a humbling moment and reinforced the importance of our work in building a strong, engaged legal network. I also got to sit down with Mayor Eric Adams in his office after St. Patrick's Day last year along with other Irish American community leaders and discuss a number of topics important to the Irish American community.

Beyond personal recognition, I’m just proud of the association’s growth over the past year. We've expanded our network, hosted networking events, hosted impactful community events like sandwich making at the Church of St. Thomas More, and created new opportunities for our members.

IrishCentral Chair Liam Lynch presents Darren Moore Ecosystem Engagement Champion of the Year at Legal Elite 2024

3. Tell us about the upcoming Wine Geese event on May 7th at the Irish Consulate.

The Wine Geese event is a truly special gathering and one of our signature events. It is inspired by the “wine geese,” those emigrant Irish families, and their descendants, who, from the 17th century onwards, engaged in the wine trade in their adopted countries. This year, we are hosting it at the Irish Consulate on Park Avenue on May 7th and we are delighted to announce that the honoree for the event is Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen St. J. McCormick. 

It’s an evening that brings together legal professionals, Irish heritage, and a shared appreciation for history and culture—all over fine wine! Beyond the wine itself, the event is a fantastic opportunity for networking, strengthening professional relationships, and deepening the community spirit that defines our association. 

4. What’s next for the Irish American Bar Association?

The goal for the year ahead is to really grow the organization’s outreach. We are inundated with resumes from talented law graduates, students, and lawyers from Ireland eager to come and experience life in New York. It is very difficult to help everyone, but what we want is to be in a position to be able to create more opportunities for those young graduates and attorneys and to connect them with experienced professionals and law firms. In addition, we want to host more community outreach events that bring our members together in meaningful ways.

I also see the association playing a larger role in legal advocacy, particularly when it comes to policies affecting the Irish-American community and broader issues of justice. We want to be a voice for our members and use our platform to make a lasting impact.

IABANY members taking part in The Aisling Center 5K

5. Any final thoughts?

Being part of this association is a privilege, and leading it is an incredibly rewarding experience. The Irish-American legal community in New York is full of talented, passionate individuals, and it’s an honor to help bring them together. I encourage anyone who shares our heritage and our values to get involved—whether that be by attending events, mentoring young lawyers, sharing this article and our goals, or simply connecting with fellow members, we appreciate it. The strength of our community lies in its people, and I look forward to continuing this work in the months ahead. 

Find out more about The Irish American Bar Association of New York and their upcoming events here or follow them on Facebook. Check out The Law Offices of Darren T. Moore P.C on their website or calling them on (917) 809-7014 today for a FREE consultation.