Addleshaw Goddard in merger with Top 15 Irish practice
Law firm Addleshaw Goddard is merging with Irish firm Eugene F Collins in a deal that is set to complete by March 1.
The two parties say the move will accelerate each firm’s strategic focus on serving clients in growing markets around the world.
Eugene F Collins, a Top 15 Ireland practice, has 25 partners and its addition to Addleshaw Goddard takes the total number of AG offices outside the UK to 10, including Germany and France.
The firms have expertise in financial services, real estate, retail and consumer, technology and life sciences and have plans to double in size by 2025.
In a joint statement, John Joyce, managing partner of Addleshaw Goddard, and Mark Walsh, managing partner of Eugene F Collins, said: “This is an exciting moment for both firms, driven by the recognition that there is great chemistry between us and a shared commitment to finding the smartest ways of delivering the biggest business impact to clients of all sizes in Ireland, Europe and beyond.”
John Joyce added that a presence in Dublin for AG unlocks opportunities with more UK and international businesses doing business in Ireland: “Ireland is a really key jurisdiction. It is a global hub for world leading, fast growing businesses in a range of sectors including FS, tech and life sciences and establishing a presence here fulfils a need we’ve been looking at for some time.
“The obvious strategic and cultural fit between AG and Eugene F Collins makes this a logical and very attractive proposition for both firms. They are a terrific business and we look forward to sharing the benefits with new and existing clients.”
Mark Walsh, who becomes head of Ireland, said that the combination with AG brings immediate scale and depth of expertise to Irish-based clients: “The ability to operate on a global platform in markets which are important to our clients, makes good sense for all staff and clients of Eugene F Collins. Combining forces on innovation and legal tech will also enhance our national practice and position the new business very well for further growth.”
Eugene F Collins acts for blue chip clients, many with Irish HQs or roots, together with a range of businesses active across the UK and internationally. While the two firms have some clients in common, particularly in the financial services, R&C and real estate sectors, their client portfolios are largely complementary.
The merger with Eugene F Collins, which was founded in 1893, comes one year after AG launched in Paris and two years after opening in Germany, with both of those jurisdictions tracking well ahead of initial plans with already nearly 100 people on the ground.
