‘One of our main objectives is to retain our culture and values’ JOE O’MALLEY

Managing Partner Hayes Solicitors

ACTIVITY Despite the economic challenges over the past year, we have experienced growth in a number of our practice areas, including Corporate/M&A activity, Insolvency and Restructuring, Commercial Property, Construction, and Employment. We have invested in these areas in response to our client demands and we expect this trajectory to continue in the year ahead.

OPERATIONS The main operational challenges we currently face are common to many growing professional services firms and involve keeping pace with technological advances in the legal sector, while ensuring that we are retaining our talent and attracting exceptional new talent by way of lateral hires. We are fortunate to have a loyal and dedicated workforce, and one of our main objectives is to retain our culture and values as we grow.

AI We have a progressive approach to AI tools whereby we are very cognisant of the challenges and pitfalls which they pose, particularly in the professional services area, but we are also focused on embracing the benefits in terms of the efficiencies they can bring. We believe AI tools are capable of transforming certain areas of legal practice, offering high quality standards and cost competitiveness in a range of services.

OUTLOOK My feeling of business confidence among clients at this time is one of cautious optimism, with most clients anticipating business growth and more transactional activity over the next year, particularly in the face of arresting inflation and stabilising interest rates combined with positive consumer demand.

There is a general sentiment that the pace of Corporate/M&A and Banking activity has been slowing for some time, and it is hoped that such activity will be accelerated in the year ahead.