Two of the country's largest law firms to merge

Managing partner at ByrneWallace, Feargal Brennan (left), with managing partner at LK Shields Solicitors, Richard Curran (right).

Two of the country’s largest law firms — ByrneWallace and LK Shields Solicitors — have agreed to merge their operations creating a new firm called Byrne Wallace Shields which will employ over 430 people.

The merger will take effect from January 1 next year with the current managing partner of ByrneWallace, Feargal Brennan, serving as the new managing partner of the combined entity. Richard Curran, managing partner of LK Shields, will become senior partner in the merged firm.