‘The pipeline for 2024 across all practice areas looks very strong’ JAMES DUGGAN

ACTIVITY Our client base has grown across all areas of the practice and as a result we have seen our headcount increase by 20%. We are continuing to focus on opportunities from our international client base and network. In August 2023 we opened a new office in Shannon, which reflects the firm’s commitment to providing legal services to an even wider clientele.

For many years, Flynn O’Driscoll has forged strong relationships with clients operating in the Munster region, from our aviation team and its strong ties to Shannon to our corporate, commercial and property teams’ transactional work throughout the province. The new office provides us with an excellent location to service our existing client base and support growth.

The firm has once again been ranked the number one Irish law firm for M&A by deal volume for 2023, by Experian’s M&A monitor division,MarketIQ. The firm’s continued performance as one of Ireland’s leading M&A legal advisers saw it advise on some of the leading deals in the market over the past year.

We advised Air Nostrum on its joint venture with CityJet. The Strategic Alliance of Regional Airlines combined the activities of CityJet and Air Nostrum to create Europe’s largest regional airline operator. The new alliance is made up of nine independent companies based in Ireland, Spain and Denmark, three airlines, an aircraft maintenance company, a crew training centre, and four other companies dedicated to providing services to the aviation industry.

OPERATIONS In the last year, we introduced a mentorship scheme to ensure all colleagues feel supported in their role and maximise their career development potential within Flynn O’Driscoll. We have also created more structure around initiatives such as progression pathways and our internship programme. Another priority is leveraging technology to improve efficiency, streamline processes, and enhance service delivery.

OUTLOOK The outlook among clients is varied. Some clients remain cautiously optimistic and continue to seek opportunities for growth, while others have adopted a more conservative approach to mitigate risks and preserve stability. It is specific to each client’s industry and market position, but overall we see our clients being confident and planning for growth. At Flynn O’Driscoll, it was a strong Q1 and the pipeline for 2024 across all practice areas looks very strong.