By launching EY Law Ireland, EY said it has become Ireland’s only global and multidisciplinary professional services firm to offer a law firm as an integral part of its client offering.

The legal practice has recruited three experienced associate partners – Mairead Finlay, Deirdre Malone and Adam Synnott – in some of the areas where it will initially specialise. Ms Finlay will lead the real estate team, Ms Malone will lead the employment team and Mr Synnott will lead the corporate M&A team.

Further senior hires are expected to take place in the following months to form a digital, tech and commercial law team.

Frank O’Keeffe, managing partner of EY Ireland, said: “Introducing EY Law Ireland to the market is a natural next step for us as a firm. Not only do we have incredibly successful EY Law operations elsewhere in our global network, but this new proposition aligns closely with our exciting new strategy that is all about serving our clients seamlessly where they need us most.

“With Irish organisations facing an increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment, we want to be at the forefront when it comes to helping our clients to navigate their existing and emerging business issues.

“We are excited to bring what we believe is a truly differentiated service offering to the Irish market and no one is better placed to lead our new offering than Alan. His extensive leadership experience both globally and locally will be key to our success as we build out our EY Law practice in Ireland over the coming months and years ahead.”

Mr Murphy said: “I am thrilled to have joined EY and to be leading the build out of EY Law Ireland. I strongly believe it represents a unique proposition for the Irish market. It is differentiated by its multi-disciplinary offering, its global scale and its depth of local industry expertise. This really is unlike anything else available in the Irish market.

“EY Law Ireland will seamlessly connect the right people in the right places with technology-driven workflows and senior legal advisory services, integrating our new legal offering into our entire business proposition for clients.

“As we build out the practice, my initial focus will be on working closely with clients and my counterparts from other markets across the EY network, while also actively recruiting more senior roles with relevant sectoral experience to build out an exceptional team of legal professionals who can meet the needs of our clients, now and into the future.”