Within this brilliant edition of the inaugural GC Powerlist, we hear from Ireland’s most illustrious legal teams about their biggest challenges, the structural composition of their teams and which key developments are impacting their industries. The 2023 edition of the The Legal 500’s GC Powerlist Ireland Teams investigates legal teams across different industries ranging from transport and infrastructure, food, industrials to financials and more.  

In addition to a myriad of other projects legal teams manage, they report that ESG has made its way to the top of their workload recently. ESG discussions have evolved far beyond talks of mobilisation, as many legal teams are currently spearheading major developments in conjunction with decision makers at their companies. ‘Our legal team has been increasingly supporting Fexco Group’s businesses in taking a lead role in bringing transformational innovation to the areas of climate and sustainability’ says group general counsel of Fexco, Eoin Carroll. Jennifer Lee, corporate counsel of Horizon Therapeutics also adds that their legal team, ‘is an integral part of Horizon’s cross-functional environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership team and, as such, works closely on the company’s ESG priorities.’ Though ESG agenda may differ between companies, one thing stands out – legal in-house teams in Ireland are leading decisions on best practices and initiatives concerning ESG. 

Additionally, after the financial distress caused by pandemic, organisations in Ireland are recording revenue and operational activity at pre-pandemic levels. In-house teams report how they faced the effects of the pandemic and how they assisted their organisations to this turn-around point. Seeing as Ireland is a global centre for aircraft leasing, the ravages of airport closures and curtailed air travel on the industry, will not be easily forgotten. Dan Kiely, of BoComm Aviation Leasing says that most of last year was ‘spent focusing on post-pandemic recovery and supporting resulting business initiatives. Consequently, our portfolio grew further during the year.’ However, this year, the aviation industry faced yet another trial with the imposition of sanctions against Russia. Dan Kiely adds that, ‘the principal challenge was delivering clear advice to ensure full compliance with sanctions in a rapidly evolving environment with government agencies across many jurisdictions.’  

Ed Riley, general counsel of Avolon agrees that the challenge of the past year has been centered around sanctions on Russia, ‘the magnitude of the challenges involved in the invasion’s impact required great teamwork between many members of the legal team and our colleagues across the Avolon business.’ Despite these challenges, legal teams in Ireland are determined to rise to the occasion and usher their teams through these times. David Johnston, general counsel of CarTrawler reassures, ‘travel is now largely back to normal and CarTrawler’s legal and compliance team is focused on supporting the business as it positions itself to manage the increased demand in what is expected to be a bumper summer for travel.’  

Inside the esteemed GC Powerlist Ireland Teams 2023, in-house legal teams discuss everything from talent retention issues, challenges with soaring costs and supply chain issues, to their very significant global transactions made from local hubs all over Ireland.  It was an honour to lead this research into the in-house industry within Ireland. To all successful teams featured in this publication, I extend a heartfelt congratulations and thanks for making time to engage with The Legal 500! 

Melissa Yebisi| Lead Researcher – GC Powerlist Ireland Teams 2022 

Matheson

On behalf of the partners at Matheson, I want to extend our congratulations to you and your team on your inclusion in the GC Powerlist for 2023.

Matheson is delighted to have teamed up once again with The Legal500 to produce this year’s list, and we are grateful to each of you for participating in this year’s edition.

Being invited to participate and be included as one of the 125 legal teams listed in the GC Powerlist is a recognition of excellence. This year’s edition has again succeeded in identifying those in-house teams who have performed exceptionally well across a diverse and growing number of industries, and against an increasingly fast-paced and ever-changing business environment.

At Matheson we appreciate the work that General Counsel do and the significant contributions they make to their organisations’ ability to achieve their objectives. As many of our colleagues have either been GCs or have worked in house (whether on secondment or otherwise), we also recognise the day to day challenges that GCs face. We are privileged to be able to work with GCs across a huge number of industries and our focus is always to be the best partners we can be in helping GCs achieve the objectives they have set for themselves, their teams and their businesses. As the largest full-service law firm in Ireland, with more than thirty different practice areas working at the coalface of Irish law, we are a one-stop-shop for in-house General Counsel in Ireland, the UK and the US. The Matheson Horizon Tracker, which is produced by our Knowledge Management team ensures that our clients and contacts receive the most relevant and up-to-date information they need, almost before they need it.

We are also aware that the legal services market is evolving and that the GCs’ wants and needs evolve with it. Our Digital Services Group, led by Kyle Gribben, works closely with GCs to develop bespoke technology solutions in order to deliver the individual tools that you need to ensure you stay informed and in control in real time. We understand that in-house teams are often being asked to do more with less every year, so our solutions are designed to help you with your own innovation. For example, we create unique technical portals to assist clients with managing the requirements of new legislation or regulations, such as the new Individual Accountability Framework.

This is the final year of our three-year sponsorship with the Legal500 to produce Ireland’s GC Powerlist, During our partnership we have been delighted to recognise incredible performance from in-house General Counsel across so many Irish and Irish-based companies.

Congratulations again to each of the 125 teams who have been included on this year’s list.  We look forward to celebrating this year’s winners, and to continuing to support future participants.

Thank you.

Michael Jackson

Managing Partner

Matheson LLP