Sean Downes is an attorney based in Manhattan. Since 1985, he has been representing individuals who have sustained serious injuries in accidents, and has donated considerable time representing clients pro bono in matters ranging from immigration to everyday legal matters.

He is on the Board of Directors of the New York Irish Center and END SEPSIS, the Legacy of Rory Staunton organization.

Downes’ grandparents hailed from Cork and Mayo. Since his earliest days in college, he has remained actively involved in Irish-American affairs, propelled by his strong Irish Republican beliefs and his commitment to a free and united Ireland. Upon his graduation from law school, he worked under the mentorship of the late Paul O’Dwyer and Frank Durkan. He has represented and has been involved in the defense of numerous Irish Republicans who sought refuge in the U.S.

He is also a long standing member and past president of the Brehon Law Society. Downes, along with his brother, Larry, was one of the founding officers of Friends of Sinn Féin. Downes earned a J.D. from Hofstra Law.

He and his wife, Marianne, reside in Bayside, Queens. He has two grown daughters, Mollie and Katie.