Global law firm Squire Patton Boggs has this week hosted a delegation of civic and business leaders from the US state of Ohio who were visiting Dublin.

The firm opened its Dublin office earlier this month, and the delegation’s visit coincided with the launch of a new Aer Lingus route from Cleveland’s Hopkins International Airport to Dublin Airport.

Squire Patton Boggs was founded in Cleveland, and is the only law firm with an office in both cities.

The Ohio delegation included Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Cleveland City Council president Blaine Griffin (pictured) and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, as well as representatives from the Greater Cleveland Partnership, JobsOhio, Huntington Bank and Eaton Corp.

‘New opportunities’

The visit was part of an economic-development mission to strengthen governmental and business connections between the two regions.

“The new Aer Lingus route will open up new economic opportunities between Ohio and Ireland and, as the only law firm with a presence in both markets, we look forward to bringing our connections and services to bear to help the vision of these discussions become a reality,” said the law firm’s Irish managing partner Dennis Agnew (pictured).

During the delegation’s visit, Squire Patton Boggs hosted a panel discussion exploring the strategies Irish businesses could use to establish and expand their businesses across industry sectors in Cleveland and the North-east Ohio Region.

The law firm opened its Dublin office earlier this month – its 15th location in Europe.