Senator George Mitchell has officially opened the Irish offices of DLA Piper, the global law firm of which he is chairman emeritus.

DLA Piper’s offices are on St Stephen’s Green in Dublin, and the firm has already hired at partner level with plans to boost the practice to as many as 100 lawyers and business professionals in the coming years.

The firm’s focus is on the life sciences, technology and financial services sectors. It has offices in more than 40 countries throughout Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, with four in Germany.

Country managing partner 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.”

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In February DLA Piper announced the lateral hire of tax partner Maura Dineen from Mason Hayes & Curran. Other appointments this year include Conor Houlihan (Finance & Projects), Éanna Mellett (Corporate), Mark Rasdale (Intellectual Property & Technology) and Ciara McLoughlin (Employment).

Senator Mitchell added: “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.”

Justice minister Charlie Flanagan, who met Mitchell to discuss Ireland’s potential as a global centre for legal services after Brexit, commented: “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.”

Photo (l-r): IDA Ireland’s Martin Shanahan, Charlie Flanagan, George Mitchell and David Carthy. (Pic: Keith Arkins)