Law firm Mason Hayes & Curran has pledged will not represent Russian clients who are in any way aligned with the Russian state, or Russian clients who may be contributing to the war effort.
Managing partner Declan Black (pictured above) declared: “Like most of the world, we have been appalled by the events unfolding in Ukraine. As an independent Irish law firm, we do not take for granted the freedoms we enjoy living in a democratic society which respects the rule of law.
“What law firms and businesses do matters, so we have taken the following steps:
"For so long as Putin’s aggressive war in Ukraine persists, we will not represent Russian clients who are in any way aligned with the Russian State or Russian clients who may be contributing to the war effort.
"This means (1) we are resigning as lawyers to certain clients and (2) we will decline any future instructions which conflict with this policy.”
In Association with
The law firm has donated €50,000 to UNICEF’s humanitarian fund in support of the 7.5 million Ukrainian children affected by the war.
Black added: “We encourage the legal and business community to take similar steps and to go beyond sanctions.”
Mason Hayes peer Arthur Cox also announced that the firm has decided to both decline new instructions and cease all Russia-related work "that goes against our values or existing or emerging sanctions".
A statement added: "Though we are subject to strict client confidentiality rules and are not at liberty to comment on individual clients, we can confirm that this review has already resulted in our ceasing to act for a number of clients.
"We are actively engaging with our pro bono partners to find ways to support Ukrainian people who are arriving in Ireland, alongside our support for the International Red Cross."
