‘ESG and sustainable finance are a strategic focus’

PETER STAPLETON Managing Partner Maples and Calder (Ireland)

ACTIVITY We have seen increased optimism from our clients and global industry connections across many sectors over the past year. While there are some continuing headwinds in the global economy, we remained busy and generally increased our activities across our broad range of practice areas, with noticeable peaks in sustainable finance, technology, venture capital, private equity, regulatory, employment and financial services.

ESG and sustainable finance continues to be a priority and strategic focus. For example, many of our financial services clients have developed comprehensive ESG strategies which require expert legal advice across a wide spectrum of Irish, EU and global

regulations in that area. The development of our Data, Commercial & Technology practice has evolved as a result of an increasing number of clients in the FinTech sector and regulation at EU level.

AI We have increasingly harnessed technology to deliver superior services to our clients and we invest heavily in LegalTech and RegTech solutions. We are also looking to the next generation of legal services and recently announced the expansion of our collaboration with Harvey AI, the OpenAIbacked legal AI platform.

WORKPLACE We are excited about the future of our workplace and how that space is used by our teams, clients and for industry, regulatory and governmental collaboration. We are currently undertaking a thorough analysis of our future workplace. We recognise that our built environment affects our carbon footprint in a significant way.

As such, careful consideration is being given to whether we relocate to an environmentally gold-standard new build or, alternatively, we refurbish our current office to reach that same high standard. Maples Group has over 500 people in Dublin and continues to grow year-on-year, so the future of our physical presence in Ireland is of key importance for us and our clients.