Simmons & Simmons is ramping up its practice in Dublin as it snaps up two partners from local law firm A&L Goodbody. The ex-head of its London office Niamh Ryan will be joining Simmons & Simmons in Dublin with fellow partner Elaine Keane. Both are partners in A&L Goodbody's asset management and investment funds group. The Irish office, which will be headed by partner, Fionán Breathnach, will build on the firm’s position as a leading adviser in the asset management and investment funds sector and plans to open when it gets regulatory approval.

Full spectrum

Ms Ryan was previously head of A&L Goodbody’s London office. Her practice primarily focuses on the establishment of regulated funds in Ireland and related regulatory advice. Ms Keane has over 15 years’ experience and joined A&L Goodbody as partner in its asset management and investment funds group in 2013 from Maples & Calder. Her practice covers the full spectrum of the advisory and regulatory aspects of the Irish funds industry. Mr Breathnach joins from Mason Hayes & Curran where he was head of the investment funds and financial regulation practice. He brings 22 years’ experience in the financial services industry in Ireland, with a strong focus on the investment funds sector. 

Expansion plans 

The firm is planning to develop a leading Irish investment funds and financial regulation practice, eventually also incorporating tax, capital markets and banking expertise with a strategy to build the office to ten partners and around 40 people in total over the next three years. Partner Richard Perry said: 'We are very excited about the prospects in Dublin. Brexit presents Ireland with opportunities for asset managers and others wishing to be certain of future passporting rights into the European market. Ireland is a leading European investment funds jurisdiction and has proved particularly attractive for the establishment and servicing of alternative asset funds. We look forward to working with clients in the sectors on which we focus as it develops in the future.'

Agile

Colin Leaver, head of asset management and investment funds at Simmons & Simmons commented: 'As a firm we want to be agile enough to support our clients as they respond to disruptive events. A presence in Dublin enables us to enhance our client offering. The Dublin office also provides a strong presence for fund formation and regulatory advice in the asset management and financial institution sectors. We believe this will be a hugely positive addition to the firm.'