Ireland

This year Walkers is celebrating 25 years of Walkers operating in Europe – a milestone the firm is proud to mark, reflecting its commitment to the European market and to its ever-expanding European client base. The firm's European story began with the opening of its London office in March 2001, as Walkers’ first international office, establishing a presence in one of the world’s most important financial centres. This laid the foundations for the integrated European platform the firm has today, advising on the laws of the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Jersey, Guernsey and Ireland. Since 2001, and in particular during the past ten years, the firm has invested significantly into its London, Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey businesses. This investment has been combined with a consistent focus on bringing together market leading lawyers and professionals across all of its disciplines who believe in providing clients with top tier service in a responsive, coordinated and jurisdictionally agnostic manner. The growth in scale of the firm's European business has been phenomenal. The firm's four European offices are now home to over 600 legal and professional services personnel, delivering specialist, integrated advice relating to all aspects of asset management & investment funds, private capital & trusts, banking & finance, corporate, dispute resolution, insolvency & restructuring, employment and regulatory matters, across its six laws, as well as specialist Irish tax advice. The firm is delighted to see that the market leading strength of its European offering, and the coordinated approach it takes to client service, are consistently recognised by its clients as well as the legal directories. In addition to marking 25 years in Europe, this year also sees key milestones across each of the firm's European businesses, including 20 years in Jersey, 10 years in Guernsey and 10 years of Walkers Professional Services in Ireland. Together, these reflect the depth of the firm's long-term investment in Europe and the strength of its integrated offering. Commenting on the milestones, Hughie Wong, managing partner of Walkers' London office, said: 'Celebrating 25 years in Europe is a proud moment for all of us. London was our first step outside the Caribbean and it set the tone for how we operate internationally: operating in the same time zone as our clients, collaborating across offices and focusing on delivering consistently strong outcomes.' 'As we look ahead, we will continue to invest in our people and our platform so we can support clients at the most complex end of the market.' Fraser Hern, head of Walkers' Channel Islands business, added: ‘This year is particularly meaningful for our Channel Islands practice as we mark 20 years in Jersey and 10 years in Guernsey. Our Channel Islands offices form a crucial part of our European platform, supporting clients on complex multi-jurisdictional matters while remaining closely connected to the wider Walkers network. These milestones reflect not only the strength of our local teams, but the benefits of operating as part of an integrated European business.’ Jonathan Sheehan, managing partner of Walkers' Ireland office, said: ‘As we celebrate the milestone anniversaries across our European business, it is a timely opportunity to reflect on the depth of the commitment of our Ireland office to the region. Ireland has become a vital hub within our European offering, and our continued growth here is closely linked to the strength of the platform we have built across the region.’ The firm will recognise these milestones throughout the year, including hosting a client event to celebrate the relationships that have shaped its European journey and continue to drive its success. As the firm moves into the next chapter, it remains focused on strengthening its European offering and continuing to play a leading role in supporting clients with sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional advice.

Two of Ireland's respected, Irish-owned law firms, BHSM LLP and OBH Partners, have announced a strategic merger, effective 1 December 2025. The new Firm, BHSM LLP incorporating OBH Partners, brings together two well-established practices with shared values, complementary expertise, and a strong commitment to client service. The merger represents an important milestone for both firms, creating a stronger, growth-focused legal practice with enhanced reach across domestic and international markets.   A Partnership of Equals: This merger unites two firms known for delivering high-quality, partner-led advice. Both BHSM and OBH share a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and accessibility - values that will continue to guide the merged Firm.   Broader Service Offering: Clients will benefit from expanded expertise across corporate, real estate, dispute resolution, insolvency and corporate restructuring, employment, banking and finance, capital markets, construction, and private client.   Depth and Agility: The integration enhances each firm's core strengths, ensuring a continued agile and responsive service offering.   Unified Growth Vision: By combining resources and talent, the merged Firm is positioned to accelerate its growth in the Irish legal market and deliver greater value to clients at home and abroad.   The Firm will be headquartered at BHSM’s office at 76 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2, and will comprise 70 legal professionals, including 40 solicitors. BHSM moved into their new premises in 2023 with a strategic view to growing their practice and providing enhanced facilities for their clients.   Leadership and Vision Mark Homan will continue as Managing Partner of the merged Firm, ensuring continuity of leadership and vision. June Hynes and Orlaith O’Brien, Founding Partners of OBH Partners, will work closely with Mark through the merged Firm’s next exciting phase of development.   "This merger brings together two firms with aligned cultures and a shared ambition to deliver exceptional legal service," said Mark Homan, Managing Partner, BHSM. "It marks an exciting next chapter as we combine the talent and experience of both teams under a single, Irish-owned banner, which is becoming a unique feature in this market."   June Hynes, Founding Partner, OBH Partners, added: "The merger between our two established and well-respected law firms allows this new entity to strengthen and expand the service offering, providing expert advice to a combined client base while creating significant potential for future growth. This partnership reinforces our shared commitment to excellence, collaboration, and client success.”   About BHSM LLP BHSM is a full-service, Irish-owned corporate law firm based in Dublin. The Firm provides a comprehensive range of legal services across corporate, real estate, dispute resolution, insolvency and corporate restructuring, employment, banking and finance, construction, and private client, with a focus on delivering practical and strategic advice to domestic and international clients.   About OBH Partners OBH Partners is a leading Irish corporate law firm advising domestic and international clients across a broad range of sectors. With a focus on corporate, commercial, real estate, and banking law, OBH Partners is recognised for its partner-led approach, client focus, and deep understanding of the Irish business landscape.

Two new Partners join firm Additional team members also joining to drive growth   Expansion follows series of strategic mergers  Dublin 4th September 2025 – Flynn O’Driscoll LLP, which has completed five strategic mergers – with the most recent being just 9 months ago, has today announced further expansion with a series of lateral Partner hires. Already ranked number 1 M&A legal adviser in the Republic of Ireland by deal volume three years in a row, and with 7 departments ranked in the Legal 500 EMEA Guide 2025, the firm today announced the appointment of two new partners and three additional team members. With continuing growth and complexity in Real Estate, Flynn O’Driscoll has announced the appointment of Terry O’Malley as Partner in its Real Estate practice. Terry joins from Eversheds Sutherland where he was a partner in the real estate department for the last 7 years. He has extensive experience in all areas of real estate law, with a particular focus on social housing, retail, hospitality and industrial sectors. Terry brings with him three team members from Eversheds Sutherland’s real estate department; Orlagh Caffrey, Lynda O’Neill, and Cliona Crowley. In the firms Restructuring and Insolvency practice, John Fitzgerald has been appointed as a Partner and Head of Restructuring and Insolvency. John will lead the firm’s ongoing growth in this area. John joins the firm from Byrne Wallace Shields where he was Head of Restructuring and Insolvency. John also has expertise in other aspects of commercial litigation and investigations, including contract/property disputes, shareholder disagreements, and planning/environmental law challenges. John brings over 20 years' experience and has worked on many of Ireland’s largest and most complex restructuring projects over his two decades long career to date. These appointments are part of the firm's commitment to ambitious and sustainable growth as well as underscoring its willingness to invest in talent to deliver high-value service for clients. James Duggan, Managing Partner at Flynn O’Driscoll, said: “These appointments mark another step in our growth journey as we further strengthen our expertise and our ability to deliver exceptional legal services to our clients. Bringing in new talent through strategic mergers as well as through growth of existing teams is core to our plan. Today’s announcement continues our proven strategy of ambitious and sustainable growth – a strategy that delivers for our clients, for our colleagues, and for our firm.” Commenting on his appointment, Terry O’Malley said: “I am delighted to be coming on board at Flynn O’Driscoll along with the team of high calibre legal professionals that are coming with me. The firm’s strong reputation for excellence, combined with its innovative and forward-thinking approach deeply resonates with my own professional journey. I’m excited to contribute to the continued growth of the Real Estate practice and to work closely with colleagues to deliver clear, concise and practical advice to our clients on complex property transactions.” Speaking on his new role, John Fitzgerald said: "Joining Flynn O’Driscoll at such a pivotal moment in its journey and supporting clients of the firm as well as working with new colleagues is a fantastic opportunity. I look forward to leading the Restructuring & Insolvency team, building on its strong foundation and working collaboratively to drive continued growth, innovation, and success in the years ahead.” Since its foundation in 2002, Flynn O’Driscoll has grown into a leading full-service law firm with offices in Dublin, Galway, and Shannon. The firm has consistently expanded its practice through strategic mergers from Cunningham McCormack in 2010 to Vincent & Beatty LLP in November 2024. The recent appointments are the latest step in Flynn O’Driscoll’s ambitious growth strategy. Notes to editors: Media queries: Ciara McNamee, Teneo [email protected] About Flynn O’Driscoll Flynn O’Driscoll was founded in 2002 and has grown to be one of Ireland’s most recognisable corporate law firms, with offices in Dublin, Galway, and Shannon. Known for its dynamic and progressive approach, Flynn O’Driscoll provides a wide array of legal services including corporate & commercial, aviation & asset finance, commercial litigation, real estate, employment, banking, data privacy & intellectual property, media and more. The firm has been recognised as a leader in Irish M&A advisory and is consistently ranked highly in legal directories for excellence across practice areas.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE | NEWS | BY MARK HOMAN   BHSM LLP are delighted to announce the appointment of Keith Doyle as Partner (pictured, centre). Keith joined BHSM LLP in 2021 as a Senior Associate and works with our Commercial Real Estate Department, having spent a number of years in the Commercial Real Estate Department of a Big 6 Law Firm in Dublin. Keith has advised on the acquisition, disposal and leasing of a wide variety of real estate assets including development sites; offices; retail centres; mixed use developments; primary care and nursing home facilities; warehousing and logistical units; PRS apartment developments; hotels and wind farm energy projects. Keith also has extensive experience in real estate and development finance transactions, having worked extensively with pillar banks, non-bank lenders and high-profile international funders across a range of medium and high value transactions. Commenting on the new appointment, Mark Homan, Managing Partner at BHSM LLP (pictured right), said: “I would like to congratulate Keith on his appointment. Keith is an excellent practitioner, highly knowledgeable and skilled in the complexities of real estate law. He has gained invaluable experience over his career to date. I look forward to many years of working alongside Keith in serving our clients’ needs.” To find out more about the appointment, please click the link below: Biography – Keith Doyle, Partner, Commercial Real Estate Department Pictured (left to right): Giles G. Smyth (Partner, Head of Commercial Real Estate), Keith Doyle (Partner, Commercial Real Estate), Mark Homan (Managing Partner, Head of Insolvency & Corporate Restructuring)