As you all know, Valerie Peart and Gerard Wade have been directing operations at Pearts Solicitors and Town Agents for the past twenty-two and a half years when they took over from Valerie’s brother, Michael Peart.
A family business since 1883, it has always been important to Gerard and Valerie that such a status would continue. As Gerard embraces his new phase, indeed, his 3rd Act, (as some would call it) as a Retiree, the time has come for the next generation to step up and take the reins of the Town Agency business. Valerie, however, remains as Principal of Pearts Solicitors.
To facilitate Gerard’s retirement, James Clarke and Niamh Wade are now Directors of Pearts Town Agents Limited and as such, secure the family business going forward.
James came into Pearts twenty years ago as an eager Transition Year student looking to learn about life working in the law over the course of a week. Little did he, or we, know then that he would one day take to the helm as Managing Director alongside Niamh, his now Sister-in-Law. Married to the youngest daughter of Valerie and Gerard, James returned to his TY roots in 2022 when the opportunity arose to take over as Office Manager. With a degree in Business and Law from UCD, a Masters in Project Management from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and over 10 years working in Professional Services and Project Management including time spent with IBM, First Data Fiserv and EY, James is no stranger to busy businesses. On taking over the steer, James says,
“Having been connected to the firm for over 20 years now, it is a privilege to be one of the latest custodians of Pearts Town Agents. I am ready to build upon the excellent and diligent work of Valerie and Gerard, and to continue to support our clients long into the future. I am very proud to be a small part of our firm’s history and am excited for what the future holds for the firm.”
Niamh also graced the Town Agency with her presence for a week’s work experience when she was in her fourth year of secondary school during the time when her Uncle, Micheal Peart, was Principal. Fast forward a number of years, a fair few qualifications and job roles later and she came back to office life on Ormond Quay. In 2021 she qualified as a Barrister and in late 2024, she transferred to the Roll of Solicitors. She remarks,
“From my school days as Captain of the hockey and tennis teams, to Senior Prefect and other titles since then, I seem to gravitate towards leadership positions. I love the thought that I can be in a management seat and ensure a positive workplace environment, thus making a difference to someone’s work day. Having had a variety of roles over the years I have witnessed and endured different types of leadership styles and I definitely know the type I would aspire to be. (and consequently, never aspire to be!). Keeping staff and clients happy while getting the job done and maintaining the reputation of the Business, is an important balance, but one I look forward
to undertaking.
We are extremely lucky to have an incredible, knowledgeable and hardworking staff who bring cheer and dedication daily which makes the task of leading the troops so much easier. Thankfully I am not flying solo, I am very confident in James and his skills and personality that we will work well together and do what needs to be done to keep the business going. Luckily Mum isn’t going anywhere yet and no doubt Dad will still pop in with much respected advice when needed too.”
As the Financial Director of the business, Gerard has worked quietly and diligently behind the scenes to keep the business going. Prior to working life in Dublin 7, Gerard ran his own Accountancy firm for a number of years with Pearts already a client, making the transition to taking over the business much simpler. Juggling life as a father of four and now a grandad to six, Gerard’s dedication to provide yet maintain a work life balance is commendable, and all the while sticking by Valerie and her commitment to all aspects to her life in the law. They are, and have always been a tremendous team.
We wish Gerard all the best in his new chapter sans suit and appreciate all the time and effort he put into running Pearts over the years.