Arthur Cox LLP partner John Matson has been given the Sir Michael Smurfit Business Achievement Award by the Ireland Chamber of Commerce – USA (ICCUSA).

The award was presented at ICCUSA’s annual American Celtic Ball, held at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan (5 October) and attended by over 200 prominent business and government leaders.

It recognises individuals who have shown excellence across various domains – including business, philanthropy, commerce, education, and the arts.

John Matson said: “This recognition serves as a testament to the firm's long-standing focus on the US marketplace, having had an office in the US since 1980, and the incredible teamwork and dedication of my colleagues, junior and senior, to building strong business and client relationships with the US.”

Cross-border mergers

Matson specialises in corporate law and has a broad corporate practice – including advising on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, loan-portfolio acquisitions, private-equity transactions, corporate-governance matters for both regulated and unregulated entities, and other complex corporate transactions.

He also deals extensively with overseas clients and counsel on the establishment of business operations in Ireland, and ongoing Irish legal requirements and issues.

Matson has headed up both Arthur Cox’s London and New York offices, and chaired Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms, in 2016.

He currently serves as an officer of the International Bar Association as part of its law-firm-management committee. 

Managing partner Geoff Moore said: "We are immensely proud of John's accomplishments and the exceptional leadership he has consistently demonstrated in building business connections between Ireland and the US.”