International law firm DAC Beachcroft has bolstered its Dublin office through the hire of a two female partner-led team. Corporate partner, Sharon McCaffrey, and competition law partner, Joanne Finn, joined the firm in September.

Irish market commitment

The two new partners bring with them a team of two senior associates, one associate and a secretary. The appointments follow the promotion of Niamh McKeever to partner in May this year, to head up the firm’s healthcare group which provides a full service in the area of medical malpractice in Ireland. Corporate lawyer Sharon McCaffrey brings experience in acting for leading Irish and international businesses, as well as individual shareholders, across a range of business sectors including telecoms, renewables, infrastructure and tourism/hospitality. Joanne Finn has extensive experience in EU and Irish competition and regulatory law, with particular specialism in healthcare, construction, energy, telecommunications, agri-food, retail/consumer and aviation. Lisa Broderick, partner and location head, says “These strategic hires are an important part of the firm’s long-term commitment to the Irish market. The expansion of our offering to include commercial and competition law capabilities is based purely on client demand and need.” The wider team joining Sharon and Joanne further strengthens the corporate offering with specialist expertise in mergers, acquisitions and corporate re-organisations; private equity fundraising, investments, shareholder and joint venture agreements; corporate governance, compliance and directors’ duties; and commercial contracts. Ms Broderick said, “Meanwhile, the next stage of DAC Beachcroft’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Ireland will see the firm move into new Dublin premises in 2020. When our Dublin office opened ten years ago, there was just one lawyer. With now over 70 colleagues and 10 partners, our growth in the region has been substantial.”

  
Dechert growth

Dechert continues to expand its leading global funds practice group with the addition of partner Ciara O’Leary to its Dublin office. The firm’s second partner hire to Dublin this year following managing partner Carol Widger’s arrival in January. Ms O’Leary advises clients on a wide range of legal and regulatory matters, and has extensive experience establishing and operating European retail regulated funds (UCITS), exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and alternative investment funds (AIFs). Gus Black, global co-chair of Dechert’s financial services group, said “Clients who use Ireland as a fund domicile are generally doing business on a global scale and value a truly joined-up offering across the U.S., UK and Ireland as well as other locations,” adding “This is reflected in the growth of our practice and we are delighted to welcome Ciara.” The first major US firm to open an office in Dublin, Dechert announced in 2018 that it would begin offering training contracts in the city.