Global law firm DLA Piper has put its Dublin partner team in place with four key hires from rival firms in another sign of increased movement in the legal talent market in the capital.

The new partners are:

• Conor Houlihan (finance and projects, IP, tech and employment) who joins from Dillon Eustace,
• Éanna Mellett who moves across from Matheson where he has been a partner since 2013 and who will advise on M&A, private equity and corporate reorganizations, 
• Mark Rasdale moves across from A&L Goodbody where he has been a partner since 2010. He will advise on strategic sourcing and commercial contracts, IP and tech matters and data protection compliance,
• Ciara McLoughlin also joins from A&L Goodbody where she has been a partner since 2015. Ciara will provide strategic HR advice across all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law.

The new partners at the firm’s St Stephen’s Green office will be joined by three legal directors – corporate lawyers Micheál Mulvey and Edel O'Kelly from William Fry, and finance lawyer Eileen Johnston from Arthur Cox. 

Global footprint

The DLA Piper global footprint spans forty countries throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The Dublin office will be led by managing partner David Carthy (pictured) who was appointed last May.

Carthy commented"Driven by a fast-growing economy, the Irish legal market is rapidly evolving and has entered a new phase of internationalisation.

Sophisticated market

“The Irish market is mature and sophisticated but clients are looking for firms that disrupt the status quo, work differently and embrace innovation.”

Joint managing director for Britain and Europe Sandra Wallace said "The Irish legal market continues to grow in importance and having a strong presence in Dublin is a key priority for us.