Chief Executive

The Legal Aid Board’s Chief Executive is Ms Joan Crawford who was appointed to the role in April 2023.

Joan previously served as Director of Internal Service Delivery (Civil) and Regional Manager for the Legal Aid Board, having worked as a solicitor and subsequently as a Managing Solicitor in various Law Centres in the Dublin region.  A solicitor by profession, Joan has experience in general practice and local government, as well as extensive experience in Family Law and Mediation, Child Abduction and Child Care cases in all courts.

She is a graduate of University College Dublin and the Institute of Public Administration, holds a Masters in Public Management and Diplomas in European Law, Child Care Law and Mental Health and Capacity Law.  Joan is a "designated public official" for the purpose of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.