Philip Lee has announced the opening of its first UK office in London in order to capitalise on the opportunities of Brexit, along with the appointment of five new partners to its head office in Dublin.

The new appointments in London and Dublin bring the firm’s headcount to 150 across its Dublin, Brussels, San Francisco and London offices.

Corporate partner Andrew Tzialli, who joins from Sheridans, has been appointed to head the London team.

Meanwhile, partners Hugh Cummins, Ronan Dunne, Siobhan McCabe, Sean McElligott and Amanda Jayne Comyn join in Dublin.

Philip Lee, founder of the firm, said: “Now in our 25th year of business, the time is right to open our London office.

“Given that we already work closely with peers and clients in the UK, having a base that’s located in a thriving commercial and technology hub in the city makes a lot of commercial sense.

“It will allow us to maintain and develop existing relationships with professional services firms and other contacts, building new links and grasping opportunities that arise from Brexit.”

Mr Lee added: “In 2019, with full rights to represent clients in European courts following Brexit, Ireland will become even more valuable to our UK peers and clients, particularly in the areas of competition and commercial law.

“We believe we are the only Irish law firm whose partners have represented clients before the panels and the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and we see that there may be an increased need for advice on international trade law in the months ahead.”