Gemma O'Farrell

Gemma O'Farrell serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin's School of Law, teaching EU Trade Mark and Design Law within the LL.M programme. She concurrently practices as legal counsel for an international telecoms company, bridging academic theory with industry applications in intellectual property and privacy law.

Her educational foundation includes:

• LL.B from Trinity College Dublin (2006)
• LL.M in Intellectual Property from University of London (2007)
• Barrister-at-Law from Honorable Society of the King's Inns (2009)
• Ph.D. from Trinity College Dublin (2015) focusing on Trade Marks and Unfair Competition Law

Her research centers on Intellectual Property Law with specialized expertise in digital copyright, trademark enforcement, and data privacy. Recent work examines the tension between intellectual property rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly in digital environments where sports law, commercial regulations, and chancery principles intersect. She investigates how EU frameworks like GDPR impact national implementations while addressing emerging challenges in telecommunications and internet governance.

Publication trends over the past decade reveal consistent focus on practical legal applications, progressing from foundational trademark analysis (2008-2011) toward contemporary digital privacy dilemmas (2017-2020). Her work increasingly addresses cross-jurisdictional enforcement challenges and the societal implications of intellectual property regimes, demonstrating evolution from technical legal analysis to policy-oriented scholarship.

Key honors include:

• Trinity College Entrance Exhibition (2006)
• Arthur Cox Fellow (2012)

While not explicitly advising graduate students, O'Farrell contributes significantly to legal reform through research roles with the Copyright Review Group (analyzing Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 amendments) and the Bar Council of Ireland (researching Legal Services Regulation Bill). Her professional engagements extend to international platforms including the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and Four Jurisdictions conference, where she examines judicial independence models.

She maintains active membership in the British and Irish Commercial Bar Association while representing Ireland at global legal forums, demonstrating commitment to both academic discourse and practical legal development.