Chairman Emeritus of DLA Piper Senator George Mitchell officially launches the Irish office of the global law firm today. The Irish office of DLA Piper, which is led by Country Managing Partner David Carthy, has already made a number of significant partner hires and will continue to boost the practice to a team of up to 100 high calibre lawyers and business professionals over the coming years. As part of the activity to mark the launch, Senator Mitchell met with Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD to discuss Ireland’s potential as a global centre for legal services post-Brexit.
As a global law firm in Ireland, DLA Piper established its Dublin office on Stephen’s Green in response to demand for globally benchmarked legal and tax advice from domestic and multinational companies operating in, expanding into or exporting from Ireland. The firm’s initial focus in Ireland will be on the life sciences, technology and financial services sectors.
Commenting on the official launch, Chairman Emeritus of DLA Piper Senator George Mitchell said: “Ireland’s position in the global market has become increasingly important given the internationalisation of the economy. With the global remit we have for our existing clients alongside Irish companies' appetite to do business in every corner of the world, it was a natural step for DLA Piper to establish an office in Dublin. We also believe there is a real opportunity to establish Ireland as a global centre for legal services, which is why we are building a team, headed by Managing Partner David Carthy, with the strength and depth to deliver on this ambition.”
Simon Levine, Global Co-CEO at DLA Piper added, "We have spent a number of months putting the right foundations in place here in Ireland, building a practice of ambitious, talented lawyers and tax advisers to provide globally benchmarked advice to clients. We are really pleased with our progress and are delighted to meet clients' demand for a law firm in Ireland with a truly global reach. As we grow, we will continue to add to our team ensuring that our expertise mirrors the needs of our clients.”
Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD commented: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to engage with the Chairperson Emeritus of DLA Piper, Senator Mitchell, and to welcome his firm to Ireland. I commend Senator Mitchell for his continued deep and abiding interest in Irish affairs and his strong support for Ireland. The UK’s decision to leave the EU presents many threats to Ireland but we have worked hard to identify opportunities - and international legal services offers great potential. DLA Piper’s decision to open an Irish office is a vote of confidence in Ireland’s legal talent pool and its future as an English-speaking Common Law jurisdiction and EU Member State of international repute. My Department is working with the Chief Justice, the Bar Council and the Law Society to promote Ireland as a venue for international legal services. I have no doubt many firms will follow the lead of DLA Piper in the months and years ahead.”
Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland, added: “Ireland has developed a thriving legal sector, and today’s announcement by DLA Piper further endorses this. In this ever-changing economic climate, Ireland can provide companies with a consistent, pro-business environment in which they can grow and thrive. I wish DLA Piper continued success here.”
Country Managing Partner for DLA Piper in Ireland, David Carthy said: “The internationalisation of the Irish economy is driving change in the Irish legal sector, changing how we do business and requiring greater innovation and diversity of thought. How firms adapt to meet and exceed client demand is the key factor in this evolution, and, as a firm well-known for its entrepreneurial spirit, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead to drive disruption and radical change in the market.”
Notes to editors:
-
DLA Piper is a global law firm located in more than 40 countries throughout Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, positioning it to help companies with their legal needs anywhere in the world.
-
In Germany, DLA Piper is represented at four locations – Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich – and is headed by the German Managing Partners Dr Benjamin Parameswaran and Dr Konrad Rohde.
-
For further information on DLA Piper, visit our website www.dlapiper.com.