'The Brexit vote has been a trigger' - law firms look to Ireland amid concerns over London's future

Dechert Partner, Declan O’Sullivan, comments in Legal Week on Dechert’s presence in Ireland.

Dechert established a funds-focused practice in 2010, becoming the first major US law firm to enter the market, with the hire of partner Declan O’Sullivan from Irish firm William Fry.

O’Sullivan says: “A strategic objective for us was to be in each of the main funds centres in Europe: Dublin, London and Luxembourg.” The firm is about to add its third partner in Dublin – funds lawyer Jeff Mackey, who is joining from Dillon Eustace.

O’Sullivan says the firm aims to expand further, both through continued organic growth and as a result of Brexit-related work. “We want to be resourced to meet that growth and that is why we are actively hiring and also looking opportunistically for any other opportunities that might arise in other practice areas such as corporate, finance and real estate.”