Eversheds Sutherland is partnering with Dublin-based boutique firm Kenny Solicitors to expand its commercial litigation and real estate coverage in Ireland.

Led by principal Graham Kenny, the Kenny Solicitors’ team will become part of Eversheds’ Irish business. Kenny will become a partner in the dispute resolution and litigation practice group, with his team focusing on insolvency, restructuring, commercial litigation and real estate matters. Kenny Solicitors has eight staff members including Kenny, according to its website, the other team members being three solicitors, a legal assistant, an accounts administrator and two property/debt collection consultants.

Alan Connell, managing partner of Eversheds, said: “Moving beyond the challenges of the past couple of years, and in response to the ever-increasing globalisation of the economy, joining forces with Kenny Solicitors and Graham, with an impressive depth of talent, demonstrates our confidence to continually invest where there is clear market demand, as we strive to not only meet but stay ahead of our clients’ needs.”

Kenny set up Kenny Solicitors in 2016, having previously worked at top five Irish firm Matheson before teaming up with fellow Dublin lawyer Barry Lyons to form Kenny Lyons. Kenny previously represented UFC fighter Conor McGregor, hitting the tabloids in 2017 when Kenny had to drag McGregor out of bed for a court appearance to face a speeding charge.

Kenny said: “This is a very exciting moment in time for Kenny Solicitors and we are delighted to join forces with Ireland’s only full-service international law practice… As well as gaining access to a global network, we are all looking forward to continuing to support existing and new clients by working closely with our new colleagues to provide expert services.”

Eversheds' absoption of Kenny Solicitors comes at a time when international law firms are looking to build their presence in the Irish capital, motivated in part by post-Brexit restrictions on UK-based lawyers practising EU law from Ireland without having a physical presence in the country.

Last month Dentons added a trio of lawyers from Allen & Overy, Shearman & Sterling and Gilbert + Tobin – energy and projects lawyer Colm Ó hUiginn and corporate M&A duo David McGuiness and Michael McDonald – to its Dublin shop, having made a crop of lateral hires from top local firms including Matheson and William Fry to launch the office back in 2020. 

In March offshore firm Ogier announced it had agreed to merge with eight-partner Dublin firm Leman in a major – and rare – foray into an onshore market, a month after UK firm Addleshaw Goddard merged with 25-partner Dublin firm Eugene F Collins. 

Bird & Bird also announced in February it would launch in Dublin this summer, joining firms including Burges Salmon, Ashurst, Hogan Lovells and Taylor Wessing in opening an office in the city.