Mason Hayes & Curran saw a resurgence in 2018, with a growth rate of 8% and revenues of €82 million.

The firm pushed back against a small turnover decline the previous year.

In 2017, the firm recorded a 1.2 % drop in turnover to €76 million, compared to €77 million in 2016.

Corporate and real estate transactional services were particularly busy, the Barrow Street, Dublin 4-based firm reports. Demand was also strong in technology, energy and financial services sectors.

MH&C litigators were also very active in investigations, boardroom disputes, intellectual property disputes and healthcare cases.

12 new partners

The firm appointed 12 new partners last year across a variety of practice groups, bringing the total to 87.

Managing partner, Declan Black, said: “Obviously, external conditions always impact on outcomes and, in 2018, they were largely positive – although the Brexit risk looms large.”

He said that while Brexit was a continuing risk, it also created opportunities for Ireland, particularly in the migration of financial services.

Courts investment

Declan Black praised the Government’s investment in the Courts Service as “a factor in attracting and anchoring both bricks and mortar and transactional business to Ireland, with the corresponding economic benefit”.

MH&C represented Facebook in the High Court action brought by the Irish Data Protection Commission, which sought a referral to the CJEU regarding the validity of standard contractual clauses.

The firm also acted for Virgin Media Ireland in 2018.