Lawyers who left Ireland after the crash ‘considering return’

The Irish Legal Market 2018: Lawyer Engagement and Salary Report from Aperture Partners is based on a survey of just under 700 professionals.

The conclusion states: “At Aperture Partners, although we continue to foster and develop our relationships with international firms, we are probably having just as many conversations with Irish lawyers who have spent a number of years in the UK, the Middle East, Australia or New Zealand, now contemplating a return home.

“There is a demographic of Irish lawyers who left the Dublin market after the financial crisis who, for professional and personal reasons, are at a stage whereby they are giving serious consideration as to where their future lays. Brexit has certainly focused the minds of Irish lawyers in the UK, but not necessarily forced their hand.”

The report states that the last 12 months have seen a strong demand for lawyers with investment funds and aviation experience, particularly as Dublin grows as a location for aviation leasing and financing.

The market for investment funds lawyers has “never been so hot”, with multiple partner transfers between top practices.

The report states that at least one international firm is offering NQ investment funds solicitors a starting salary of €75,000.