Photo: Diane Kane
Irish law firm Matheson has today, Monday September 24 announced that it has established an office in Cork to support its continually growing domestic and international client base in the Munster region. The opening of the firm’s new Cork office will increase its physical proximity to its already significant range of multinational and domestic clients located in the Cork and wider Munster region, spanning across the life sciences, healthcare, ICT, biotechnology, agri-food, professional services, cybersecurity and financial services sectors. The new office will actively support the firm’s strategic objective of being the Irish law firm of choice for internationally-focused companies and financial institutions located throughout the Island of Ireland.
This move makes Matheson the first of Ireland’s largest law firms to open a regional Irish office outside of Dublin and to have made the decision to establish an office in Cork, enabling the 670-strong Irish employer to provide even greater levels of service and client care to its significant roster of Munster-based clients. This office is Matheson’s sixth globally, with the firm having opened a new office in San Francisco last year.
Matheson’s new Cork office will be led by Cork native, Gráinne Callanan, a senior lawyer in the firm’s Corporate department, specialising in Irish corporate law and corporate governance, and with a particular focus on financial services.
Commenting on Matheson’s establishment of a Cork office Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney TD said: “This is a real vote of confidence in Cork and Munster generally. The decision by Matheson to open its first regional office here speaks volumes about Cork’s growth as a vibrant hub for enterprise, both Irish and international, in the wider Munster region. Cork is a growing city, which has proven itself to be an attractive city for FDI, for international financial services and, importantly, a location for ambitious Irish companies that want to grow their business. Cork is set to become the fastest growing city in Ireland over the next 20 years and Matheson’s decision to open a new office there is recognition of that future growth potential.
“According to our national development strategy, Project Ireland 2040, three-quarters of all new growth will be outside Dublin and it is anticipated that Cork City’s population will grow by at least 50% over the lifetime of the plan.”
Managing Partner of Matheson, Michael Jackson, said: “Cork is a hub for many of the world’s leading multinational life sciences, med-tech, financial services, ITC and cyber-security businesses, with many domestic Irish companies with an international focus also located in the region. It is clear to us from our interaction with clients that Cork’s growth rate will continue to accelerate, with factors, such as the talent pool, Brexit, the continually improving infrastructure and a desire by many companies to have multiple sites in Ireland, making it an attractive place in which to locate.
“Matheson acts for over 60% of FDI member companies of the American Chamber of Commerce located in Cork and our new office will increase our proximity to these businesses. It will also bring us closer to our many large indigenous client companies based in Cork and the wider Munster area. Our clients in the region will have access to an experienced team in our Cork office, and will also be able to avail of the full suite of legal services and expertise of Matheson’s Dublin, London and US offices.
“This is an exciting time for Matheson, as we continue to invest in our client services, our people and our innovation strategy. The opening of our Cork office follows the opening of our new office in San Francisco last year, reflecting our continued development and expansion across our key markets and industry sectors. Alongside Cork’s projected growth trajectory as a hub for multinational and indigenous business and innovation, we envisage that our Cork office will continue to grow over time to meet our clients’ legal needs in the region and we also look forward to attracting the top legal talent from Munster to Matheson’s Cork office.”
Speaking at the launch of the Cork office, Senior Solicitor and Matheson Cork Office Lead, Gráinne Callanan, said: “Matheson has a large client base operating in this region and we are committed to servicing our clients where they are located. Our new Cork office will put us in closer proximity to offer enhanced levels of legal service to our Cork and wider Munster-based clients. I am very excited to come home to Cork to lead Matheson’s newest office – our sixth office internationally – and to be part of Cork’s dynamic and expanding profile as a domestic and international business hub.”
