Publications

My term ends on 31 March, a date which I’m greatly looking forward to. Leading a vibrant firm like MH & C has been stimulating and rewarding, but as nothing in life comes for free, also exhausting! So I look forward to the change.

Nine Years

Spending nine years leading the development of MH & C was more fulfilling than I could ever have expected. In 1999 our business was full of potential, populated with first class lawyers with great ambitions for the future. Our idea was to uncompromisingly hold onto our standards of legal excellence, and also to market and develop our business at home and abroad. We needed an effort of communication and investment, to match and do justice to our legal expertise. While much more remains to be done, I believe that a huge amount has been achieved, moving MH & C to its existing unique position in the Irish legal market.

Unique Position

Too many law firms define themselves by reference to size. We at MH & C could have taken the obvious route and raced for growth at the expense of many more interesting features. Instead, we concentrated on quality lawyering, quality clients and careful recruitment of the best people. The result of that, coupled with a fresh and open attitude to the market and the business media, has marked us out as the legal advisers of choice for so many Irish and international buyers of legal services. Since 1999 we’ve started and established within our business a large number of new units, departments and service offerings. In every instance we have remained true to our core commitment to legal rigour, also keeping our characteristics of approachability, openness and zest for innovation. It’s no coincidence that MH & C is the only Irish firm to disclose its annual turnover, and to be outstandingly frank and open about its market intentions. We have a unique
approach, which creates our unique position.

Domestic and International

Realising that a modern Irish law firm must appeal to and serve both overseas as well as domestic clients doing business in Ireland, MH & C has positioned itself to serve both sectors. This alignment with Ireland’s economy is Mason Hayes & Curran’s approach to market. The majority of our activity obviously serves an Irish client base, but we also advise increasing numbers of international business enterprises when they enter Ireland, or do business here.
The establishment of our representation in New York, and subsequently in London demonstrates our commitment to serving overseas business. Also, our i-law alliance with Carson McDowell in Belfast lets us give an all-island service
in co-operation with our Northern Ireland allies.

Successor

As you’ll see in the MH & C Appointments section of this issue, my successor as managing partner is to be Emer Gilvarry who has latterly served as our Head of Litigation. Emer will bring great gifts, energy and insight to her new role, and MH & C will develop new strengths under her guidance and leadership. I could not wish for a more suitable successor, and our business will benefit hugely from her appointment. I shall leave it to Emer to set out her own vision of the future of the firm when she writes her Managing Partner’s Diary in the next issue. I have every confidence that her judgment about the direction of the firm will be second to none.

The Future

I was very happy to accept my partners’ nomination to act as chairman of Mason Hayes & Curran from April 2008. It gives me huge pleasure to continue to contribute to the development of my favourite law firm! As chairman, I intend to continue to do my level best to promote the interests of our clients, this business and our fine lawyers. I shall take a special interest in our international policy, and I shall continue to advise my loyal clients, domestic and foreign.