Fieldfisher has added a partner from Facebook parent Meta to lead its data protection and privacy team in Dublin.

Ciara Burke has joined the firm having also previously worked at LinkedIn, where she provided counsel on data protection matters. 

Fieldfisher said Burke’s background in-house at large tech companies would enable her to offer “practical legal advice with a focus on embedding data protection practices in products, services and in the day-to-day running of an organisation”. Her hire would support growing demand from clients and the Irish market more broadly in navigating legislation and regulation in this area, the firm added.

In her new role, Burke is expected to grow the data protection and privacy team in Dublin, which currently houses partner Leonie Power and a senior associate according to the firm’s website. She will also be part of Fieldfisher’s wider privacy and data team, which consists of 36 lawyers globally and has worked with clients including Hasbro, Zoom and Mistubishi Pharma. 

Fieldfisher Ireland managing partner JP McDowell said: “This is an exciting time for Fieldfisher as we continue on our ambitious growth trajectory. I am delighted to welcome Ciara to the firm. She brings a wealth of experience working with tech and social media companies that I’m sure will prove invaluable in her work with our clients.”

Fieldfisher launched in Dublin in 2019 through a merger with local firm McDowell Purcell. The office recorded 9% revenue growth in 2022/23 and now has around 120 employees working across corporate and commercial law, public and regulatory, data protection and privacy, real estate, employment, litigation, technology, renewables, insolvency and environmental and planning law.

“Fieldfisher has an incredible reputation in the Irish and international market and I am looking forward to building on this as head of data protection and privacy”, Burke said. “The growth of Fieldfisher in Ireland over the last four years is testament to the great work it does for its clients, and the value it places on its teams.”

Burke’s hire follows Fieldfisher opening an office in Vienna in June, marking the firm’s 26th European office across 12 countries. 

The firm reported last month that it had grown revenue 11% in the 2023 financial year to £370m against an 11% drop in profits per equity partner (PEP) to £930k, becoming one of a number of UK firms to report a rise in turnover but flat or reduced PEP.