Managing partners of some of Ireland’s top firms tell Ben Haugh about the biggest legal challenges that businesses should be aware of this year

ACTIVITY

Despite recent turbulence in the markets, from a client perspective, the firm continues to be very busy, doing great work across all practice areas for a diverse range of clients. Specifically, we have seen increases in the areas of funds and asset management, aircraft finance, energy, real estate and construction, planning and environmental, data privacy and cyber-risk, tax and litigation, with a particular focus on regulatory matters, investigations and large commercial disputes.

INNOVATION

McCann FitzGerald's commitment to innovation is evident by running a pioneering trainee-led GenAI think tank, exploring the integration of GenAI in legal practice. This programme, developed and run by PSG, comprising five interactive workshops, allowed our trainees to engage with GenAI firsthand. They examined Harvey AI’s capabilities and limitations, focusing on prompt training, interaction techniques, and identifying use cases where AI could enhance efficiency without compromising the development of trainee and junior solicitors. The trainees’ recommendations were presented to senior management and will help shape our approach to integrating GenAI tools.

CHALLENGES

Culture and our people have always been an integral part of our success. Focusing on the value proposition that supports and enables our culture — particularly in a hybrid working environment — needs to be actively planned for and managed. Linked to this is talent attraction and retention. We work extremely hard to make McCann FitzGerald the most attractive employer in Ireland for solicitors at all levels of experience. Every law firm rises or falls on the strength of its people and ensuring we attract and retain the best is a strategic priority for the firm.