Garret Farrelly

Led by 12 partners, the new group – possibly the first of its kind in Ireland – is chaired by Garret Farrelly, who also leads the firm’s energy, natural resources, utilities and infrastructure practices.

As well as direct assistance from the advisory group, Matheson clients will also have access to a new online ESG resource hub of knowledge and insights produced by it.

Managing partner Michael Jackson said: “With a range of factors driving environmental, social and governance standards to the top of board agendas – and accelerating change in the operating environment for businesses – Matheson is enhancing our client offering with a dedicated, cross-disciplinary ESG advisory group.

“Having advised on many innovative ESG projects and represented both established market leaders and innovative market entrants, our ESG advisory group, chaired by Garret Farrelly, brings together experienced partners and their teams who understand the pace at which industry practice and standards, domestic and international legislation and the expectations of both investors and regulators are changing.

“By providing our clients with one integrated advisory group capable of supporting them in relation to all three pillars – environmental, social and governance – we believe that we can better assist them in responding to these changes when designing and implementing their ESG strategies.”

Mr Farrelly added: “ESG issues are without doubt a priority for companies operating across a range of industry sectors. The legal, regulatory and policy changes and trends we are seeing will have impacts for operating models in the short, medium and long term.

“Reflecting this, Matheson’s ESG group brings together in one combined platform a strong collaborative focus with deep industry knowledge, providing legal expertise in the areas of climate action; energy, natural resources and utilities; waste and the circular economy; governance; employment practices; supply chain management; data privacy; sustainable commercial real estate and construction; sustainable finance; investment funds; environmental and planning.”

Alongside Mr Farrelly as chair, the other members of the advisory group are Tara Doyle, Sally Anne Stone, Kimberley Masuda, David O’Mahony, Richard Kelly, Susanne McMenamin, Nicola Dunleavy, Bryan Dunne, Anne-Marie Bohan, Louise Dobbyn and Alan Keating.