Our team
A small, close-knit team — a Principal Solicitor, an Associate Solicitor and two experienced Legal Executives, supported by a dedicated secretarial and legal-assistant team. With us, you are unlikely to find your file passed between people you have never spoken to.
Principal Solicitor
Qualified Solicitor — Law Society of Ireland, 2010 · Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL), UCD · LLM Commercial Law, UCD
Melanie is the founder and Principal of Higgins & Associates. She holds a law degree and a Master's in Commercial Law from UCD, and qualified as a solicitor in 2010 after training across both criminal and civil practice.
Before law, she spent several years in sales and business development — experience she credits as being every bit as formative as her legal education, and which shapes the firm's practical, client-focused approach to this day. She has been building a civil practice in Leixlip since 2013, and established Higgins & Associates in its current form in 2018.
Melanie leads the firm's commercial and business work, and takes on the more specialised and complex matters across the firm's areas personally. Alongside this, she provides guidance and oversight across the practice as a whole.
Associate Solicitor
Qualified Solicitor — Law Society of Ireland, 2024 · LL.B (Hons) (Carlow IT, 2018)
Lydia is an Associate Solicitor at Higgins & Associates, working across several of the firm's departments — litigation, family law and property. She trained with the firm during her apprenticeship and, after qualifying as a solicitor in 2024, spent a period in practice in Dublin before returning to Higgins & Associates in 2025.
She brings a robust litigation grounding to her work, having spent several years in litigation — including in-house defence litigation — which gives her a sharp, practical command of how disputes unfold and resolve. In family law, clients value her combination of legal rigour and a warm, approachable manner during what is often a difficult time.
Lydia works closely alongside the firm's Principal, helping to ensure that the firm's expert advice is consistently applied across every matter and department.
Senior Legal Executive — Conveyancing
BA in Law (DIT) · Certificate in Civil Law (DIT) · Diploma in Business Studies
Serena is a distinguished Legal Executive with extensive experience in conveyancing matters. She plays a key role in progressing each stage of a property transaction efficiently, working closely with the firm's solicitors and providing informed, detail-focused support throughout the process.
Her expertise and depth of knowledge ensure matters are handled with precision and professionalism, and that clients are well supported at every stage.
Clients value Serena's approachable manner, responsiveness and commitment to keeping transactions moving efficiently.
Senior Legal Executive — Conveyancing, Probate & Estate Administration
BA in Law (DIT) · BA in Law (Moldova State University) · Certificate in Company Secretarial Law & Practice, Law Society of Ireland · Member of the Irish Institute of Legal Executives
Svetlana is a highly skilled and knowledgeable Legal Executive with over 20 years' experience in Irish legal practice. She plays an important role in the day-to-day progression of our conveyancing matters, whilst also supporting the firm's probate and estate administration work. Clients benefit from her wealth of practical experience, methodical approach and attention to detail as she works alongside the firm's solicitors, providing valuable support in managing files and maintaining momentum across matters. This helps ensure the delivery of a thorough, efficient, and high-quality service to clients at every stage of the transaction.
In addition to her client work, she also assists with the firm's accounts and administrative systems.
Svetlana is trilingual and can assist clients in English, Romanian and Russian.
A team behind every matter
Our solicitors are supported by a team of experienced legal executives and administrative professionals who play an important role in progressing matters efficiently and maintaining the high level of service our clients expect.
Unlike many small firms, where a file can stall when a particular fee earner is unavailable, our team-based approach means matters continue to progress — ensuring continuity of service and regular communication throughout. This is a particular strength in our conveyancing work, where a sizeable team and modern, up-to-date systems mean any member of staff can see exactly where a matter stands and keep it moving. You get the personal service of a small firm, with the continuity and reliability of a coordinated team behind it.
We are always interested in hearing from solicitors, legal executives and trainees who share our approach to client work. If that sounds like you, send a CV and a short note to info@higginsandassociates.ie.
