Detroit-based law firm Clark Hill has merged with Irish litigation boutique Eames Solicitors to expand its presence in Dublin. 

The move adds Eames’ four lawyers — founder and managing partner Aidan Eames, partners Orla Coyne and Declan McNulty and solicitor Diarmuid Coen — to Clark Hill’s Dublin office and brings the lawyer headcount to 26. 

Eames will join Clark Hill as a consultant in the firm’s litigation practice group. 

John Hensien, CEO of Clark Hill, said: “With the fastest growing economy in the EU, and heightened interest in investment in Ireland from multinational companies resulting from Brexit, Ireland offers a value proposition that is attractive to our US and global corporate clients, reinforcing our commitment to developing a significant presence on the ground.”

The tie-up comes three years after Clark Hill merged with Dublin outfit O’Gradys Solicitors in 2019. It first set up shop in Dublin in 2018 – its first and to date only European office. The firm has over 650 lawyers and 26 offices in the US, Mexico and Ireland. 

Led by partner-in-charge Kirby Tarrant, Clark Hill’s Dublin team covers a broad range of service areas, including M&A, financial services, bankruptcy, commercial litigation, restructuring and commercial property. It also offers advice on capital markets, fintech, data security and cybersecurity matters. 

Founded in 1990, Eames specialises in representing providers, suppliers and regulators in wireless and broadband infrastructure matters, including navigating complex regulatory issues such as the rollout of a 3G telecommunications network and the drafting of licence agreements, inter-operator agreements and all other matters related to the rollout of infrastructure networks. 

“Clark Hill offers us the opportunity to leverage the firm’s platform to offer our clients broader capabilities and services,” Eames said. “The expanded geography and resources of a large law firm will be very helpful in opening doors to new opportunities for our clients and our firm.”

Clark Hill is ranked at 109 in the Am Law 200 with revenue in 2020 of $308.9m. 

A number of British and international firms have scrambled to secure footholds in Dublin post-Brexit. The long list includes Taylor Wessing, Hogan Lovells, Ashurst, Burges Salmon and Dentons. 

Brussels has also proved a popular expansion destination for US firms over the past year. Fried Frank announced last week that it would be moving into the city, while US rivals Kirkland & Ellis, Simpson Thacher and Curtis all set up shop there last year and Reed Smith in 2020.