A total of 330 law firms have been authorised to operate as LLPs since the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) began accepting applications in November 2019.

The legal structure was established following the commencement of chapter 3 of part 8 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015.

Ashurst, which earlier this year announced its plans to open an office in Dublin in the wake of Brexit, is among firms which received authorisation from September 2021.

Ashurst Ireland LLP has five partners, namely Euan Burrows, Neil Cunninghame, Duncan Liddell, Alan Nigel Parr and Steven Vaz, all of whom appear to be splitting their time between the new Dublin office and the firm’s London headquarters.

DLA Piper, which recently upgraded its Dublin premises to accommodate a growing headcount, was also authorised to operate as an LLP earlier this month, becoming DLA Piper Ireland LLP.

In total, nine firms have been authorised to operate as LLPs this month so far, and 98 firms have been authorised to operate as LLPs this year so far.

Many of Ireland’s largest law firms, including Arthur Cox and A&L Goodbody, have been authorised to operate as LLPs, though Matheson – Ireland’s largest law firm by headcount – has not yet made the move.