Dechert Grows Global Funds Practice with Dublin Partner Hire

Dechert LLP continues to expand its leading global funds practice group with the addition of partner Ciara O’Leary to its Dublin office. The firm’s second partner hire to Dublin this year following managing partner Carol Widger’s arrival in January, Ms. O’Leary advises clients on a wide range of legal and regulatory matters, and has extensive experience establishing and operating European retail regulated funds (UCITS), exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and alternative investment funds (AIFs).

"Dechert is committed to building on our premier investment funds team in the Dublin market, leveraging the strength of our global platform," said Carol Widger, Dublin office managing partner, "Ciara’s experience, particularly with UCITS and ETFs, complements the firm’s existing capabilities."

"Clients who use Ireland as a fund domicile are generally doing business on a global scale and value a truly joined-up offering across the U.S., UK and Ireland as well as other locations" added Gus Black, global co-chair of Dechert’s financial services group, "This is reflected in the growth of our practice and we are delighted to welcome Ciara."

"I look forward to joining Dechert’s global funds team as it continues to expand," said Ms. O’Leary, "Having the backing of the firm’s global and jurisdiction-neutral expertise will be valuable in advising clients on complex and demanding international matters."

Ms. O’Leary is the latest in a series of partner hires to Dechert’s global funds practice, with London and Luxembourg-based partner Marianna Tothova joining in early 2019, as well as partner Thiha Tun, who focuses his practice on private investment funds, who joined the firm’s London office in March.

The first major U.S. firm to open an office in Dublin, Dechert announced in 2018 that it would begin offering training contracts in the city. Ms. O’Leary joins a growing team in Dublin advising clients on onshore investment fund products, MiFID II, Brexit solutions, capital raising and funds distribution, among other areas.

Dechert’s financial services group was the first and is the leading funds team to span the key European funds domiciles of UK, Luxembourg, Ireland, France and Germany, as well as the U.S., Middle East and Asia. Dechert advises across the full range of fund structures, particularly focusing on alternative funds, private equity and private debt, hedge, exchange traded funds and UCITS. The firm represents 24 of the world’s top 25 largest global asset management firms and 41 of the top 50 private debt firms.

About Dechert

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 26 offices around the world. We advise on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.