News of the US-headquarted firm’s plans to expand into Ireland — opening its 48th office worldwide and ninth in Europe — first emerged last November.

The new office will initially focus on asset management and investment funds (AMIF), with additional practice capabilities planned “over time”.

Ms Bowen will join K&L Gates from Pinsent Masons, where she was a founding partner and head of the Dublin office and is currently the leader of the firm’s Irish asset management and investment funds practice.

Mr Geraghty arrives from Dillon Eustace, and Ms Lloyd most recently practised with Maples and Calder, where she headed up the European funds team from the firm’s Hong Kong office.

Tony Griffiths, K&L Gates’ managing partner for Europe and the Middle East, said: “We are delighted to welcome Gayle, Shane, and Michele with their strong reputations in both the Dublin market and the AMIF client community to our firm as the founding partners of our new Dublin office.

“As a globally significant market for the asset management and investment funds and broader financial services industries, Dublin represents an important strategic step for our firm in helping to meet the global needs of our clients already doing or looking to do business throughout Europe and the rest of the world.”

Michael Caccese, K&L Gates chairman and co-leader of the firm’s asset management and investment funds practice area, said: “As the only of the major AMIF markets in which K&L Gates did not already have an office, Dublin represents the most logical of steps for our firm, our leading global AMIF practice, and our clients.

“We have seen our AMIF practice continue to grow steadily over the course of the pandemic and through the past year, and the addition of these partners and a Dublin office will allow us to serve our clients in the AMIF and other practices even more fully and effectively in coming years.”

K&L Gates’ global managing partner Jim Segerdahl added: “We are pleased to continue our firm’s strategic growth through this launch in such an important market and with the addition of such a strong team.”