US law firm Clark Hill has merged with O’Gradys Solicitors, giving it a significant presence in Ireland and its first EU office.

With over 650 lawyers and 25 offices in the US, Mexico and Ireland, Clark Hill is now providing a full set of legal services to an international client base.

The merger with O’Gradys brings the number of solicitors in their Dublin office to 19, where services will include including M&A, financial services, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, restructuring, and commercial property.

Logical choice

“Ireland is the logical choice for our first expansion into Europe,” says Clark Hill chief executive John Hern. “It has the fastest growing economy in the EU, while the EU itself is the second largest economy in the world.

"It is a very attractive destination for large numbers of the world’s leading businesses, and so developing a significant presence there is an obvious step for us.”

Partner

Kirby Tarrant (pictured above) is the partner in charge of Clark Hill’s Dublin office.

He says: “We can now offer Irish clients, large and small, access to the full suite of legal services throughout the US.  We are ideally placed to serve the increasing needs of US clients doing business in and through Ireland, and equally to facilitate the globalisation goals of Irish SMEs wishing to expand into the US.

Hub

Martin Shanahan of IDA Ireland added: “The development of Ireland as an international litigation and arbitration hub in recent times enhances Ireland’s reputation as a location for foreign direct investment within Europe.

“Clark Hill’s choice of Ireland as the location for its first European office demonstrates the country’s attractive business environment and talented, highly skilled workforce. The firm is a welcome addition to the strong base of legal services firms operating in Ireland.”