Matheson — guiding the transatlantic journeys of American and Irish companies
Michael Jackson, Managing Partner at Matheson, with seven new partners recently appointed at the law firm’s Irish practice.
For as long as most of us can remember, Ireland has enjoyed a strong, long-standing relationship with the US.
For copious US organisations setting up in Ireland and seeking the requisite legal and tax advice to do so, Matheson LLP is the law firm of choice.
There are many reasons for this. Matheson has a long history of providing expert legal services to international clients. Established in Dublin in 1825, it now has a strong presence in the US, where it has developed a reputation for delivering high-quality legal solutions to organisations seeking to establish operations, expand, or navigate the regulatory landscape in Ireland.
Matheson’s relationship with US organisations is built on a strong foundation of trust and expertise. The firm’s reputation for legal excellence is further solidified by recent accolades, including being named Law Firm of the Year — Republic of Ireland at The Lawyer European Awards 2024, Ireland Tax Firm of the Year at the ITR EMEA Tax Awards 2024, and earning top-tier rankings in the IFLR1000 Legal Guide’s 34th edition. With that, Matheson was recognised as Ireland Firm of the Year and obtained five individual lawyer wins at the Women in Business Law EMEA 2024 Awards.
Matheson’s corporate M&A practice is particularly notable for its calibre and expertise, with more partners ranked by Chambers and Partners than any other Irish law firm. The firm’s corporate expertise, coupled with its unparalleled tax practice, makes it the go-to law firm for US corporations establishing themselves in Ireland. With a team of over 35 people based in London (the largest such team of any Irish law firm) and additional presence in the US, Matheson offers unrivalled, pragmatic support for companies establishing or expanding their operations in Ireland.
With extensive experience in handling cutting-edge, high-value transactions, Matheson’s track record as Irish counsel for international corporates speaks to its market-leading position in this space. Matheson’s corporate practice, particularly the dedicated International Business Group, plays a pivotal role in supporting multinational companies.
The group advises on strategic governance matters and corporate structuring projects in collaboration with other departments, including Tax, Competition & Regulation, and the firm’s Technology & Innovation team, to ensure that clients receive comprehensive advice on navigating Ireland’s regulatory and legal landscape.
Given their extensive experience in this area, the group is acutely aware of the importance of delivering quality, responsive and practical advice to clients. Client feedback consistently references the seamless and coordinated service that is provided regardless of the complexity or scale of their projects.
Ireland has become a hub for some of the world’s largest and most innovative organisations, particularly in technology, pharmaceuticals, biosciences, manufacturing and financial services. Ireland’s low corporate tax rate, set at 12.5% for trading profits, has been an important factor in attracting US business to Ireland. In recent years, Ireland has updated its tax regime (for example, to introduce a global minimum tax) to ensure that the Irish tax system meets EU and OECD standards.
However, tax is not the only factor attracting US business. Ireland offers a highly developed regulatory, economic, and infrastructure framework, alongside the benefits of EU membership and its position as the only English-speaking jurisdiction in the eurozone.
Ireland's common law system, similar to that of the US and the UK, is another compelling reason for US businesses to establish operations there. In addition, Ireland’s relatively stable political system is another factor for US businesses seeking predictability in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.
Matheson is deeply committed to serving the needs of international clients and maintains a significant presence in key markets, including New York, San Francisco and Palo Alto, California.
Asked about US multinationals’ level of interest in setting up in Ireland, Emma Doherty, a partner in Matheson’s International Business Group, replies: “With almost 1,800 global organisations in Ireland, it is clear that a diverse range of companies see the value that Ireland continues to offer.
“Notwithstanding global headwinds, Ireland has performed strongly in recent years and has continued to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Notably, we have seen many companies expand and diversify their operations here which is critical for sustainable growth in the future. The companies with Irish operations range from start-ups to large-scale multinationals across many sectors and it has been exciting to see increased scale and complexity in the types of investments being made. These investments are evidence of Ireland's position as a mature and sophisticated FDI location.”
Touching on what it is that sets Ireland apart as an attractive destination for American companies setting up here, Doherty says: “Companies remain drawn to Ireland’s talent pool and industry expertise together with our geographical position as a gateway to the extensive European marketplace. As we manage this period of geopolitical turbulence and possible market uncertainty, diversity of investment will be a key factor in determining Ireland’s resilience.”
Looking ahead at what the future might hold for US multinationals in Ireland, Pat English, Head of Matheson's International Business Group says: “Companies with international operations are continually assessing geopolitical factors both in terms of opportunities and challenges. There is no doubt that multinational organisations are well aware of the recent US political changes and will continue to assess the impact of the new administration”.
“However, companies that have invested in Ireland have already made decisions to enable them to meet their long-term strategic objectives to service international markets. They are unlikely to take any immediate action which would see them change direction at this point.”
To ensure sustainable growth for the future, English says it is critical that Ireland has a sharp and continued focus on its competitiveness and agility, and on growth areas such as life sciences, food and beverage, high-value manufacturing, and technology.
Matheson’s depth of experience, combined with its extensive network and commitment to client service, makes it the ideal partner for US organisations looking to establish or expand operations in Ireland. With its proven track record and expertise across multiple sectors, Matheson provides invaluable support to businesses navigating the Irish legal landscape.
