The merged firm, to be called Byrne Wallace Shields, will create a firm with over 430 employees, including 220 solicitors.

Feargal Brennan, the current managing partner of ByrneWallace, will be the managing partner of the merged firm, while LK Shields’ managing partner Richard Curran will become senior partner.

In a joint statement today, the pair said the merger — which takes effect from 1 January 2025 — will create a larger, better resourced and more dynamic firm to service the needs of existing clients and to target larger mandates from existing and new clients.

“We see this merger as a strong vote of confidence in the Irish economy,” they said.

“Our firms share similar cultures and values and we both enjoy the support of loyal clients, both domestic and international.

“We believe that this merger will enable us to provide enhanced services to those clients in support of their growth ambitions, and to compete for new Irish and international business.”
 
Byrne Wallace Shields will be based in the current offices of ByrneWallace LLP on Harcourt Street in Dublin.

All of the partners in LK Shields Solicitors LLP will become partners in Byrne Wallace Shields.