Eversheds Sutherland has announced its first senior partner appointments in Ireland since fully integrating its Irish practice into the firm’s international business earlier this year — a significant step that signals renewed ambition in a competitive and fast-shifting legal market.
The hires — tax specialist Robert Dever and employment law expert Mary Gavin — arrive at a pivotal time for the firm as it rebuilds and repositions its Irish presence following the breakdown of merger talks and subsequent partner departures in 2025.
A New Chapter for Eversheds Sutherland in Ireland
Eversheds Sutherland officially relaunched its Irish practice on 15 September with a streamlined team of around 170 staff and 26 partners across offices in Dublin and Belfast. The integration ended the previous arrangement under the European network and folded the Irish business directly into the firm’s global platform.
The Dublin office is now led by seasoned litigator Pamela O’Neill, while the Belfast practice is headed by commercial real estate partner Gareth Planck. The leadership duo reflects the firm’s focus on strengthening cross-border support between Ireland, the UK, and wider Europe.
The integration followed the collapse of exploratory merger discussions with top Irish firm William Fry earlier in the year. While those talks dissolved, they set the stage for a significant reshuffle in the Irish legal sector — with both opportunities and challenges emerging for Eversheds Sutherland.
The New Hires: Tax and Employment Expertise Added to the Core Team
Robert Dever — Partner, Tax
Dever’s arrival marks a return to Eversheds Sutherland after two years as Pinsent Masons’ Dublin head of tax. His track record spans domestic and multinational clients, with deep experience in:
- Corporate tax advisory
- M&A and private equity tax structuring
- Corporate reorganisations and inbound investment
- Cross-border tax planning and compliance
His return strengthens the firm’s tax bench at a time when Ireland continues to attract global corporations using the country as an EU and international hub.
Mary Gavin — Partner, Employment
Gavin joins from Ogier Ireland LLP, bringing nearly 20 years of experience advising on employment law, investigations, restructuring, and employment disputes. She has represented clients across Ireland’s major decision-making bodies, including:
- Workplace Relations Commission
- Labour Court
- High Court of Ireland
She is particularly noted for expertise in injunctions and judicial review — capabilities increasingly in demand as workplace disputes and corporate restructuring become more complex.
Why These Hires Matter for Eversheds — and for the Irish Market
Ireland has become a strategically essential jurisdiction for global law firms due to its role as a gateway for multinational operations in Europe. The country hosts European headquarters for tech giants, pharma leaders, and major financial services players.
Eversheds Sutherland stated that bolstering Irish capabilities is central to its strategy of delivering seamless, multi-jurisdictional advice across Europe. The addition of senior partners in tax and employment directly supports growing demand in:
- Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT)
- Financial services
- Life sciences
- Energy & industrials
- Multinational corporate advisory
These sectors rely heavily on integrated tax and employment support during cross-border M&A, restructurings, labour investigations, and compliance matters.
What Happened to the Former Irish Partner Group?
One of the most significant industry questions following the integration has been the future of partners who did not join the relaunched practice.
Over the past several months:
- The former managing partner and head of tax moved to another prominent Irish commercial firm.
- The former head of disputes and a group of associates joined a separate leading Irish practice.
- Four corporate partners and their teams joined William Fry, significantly expanding its M&A capabilities.
This partner movement has reshaped the competitive landscape and demonstrates the high demand for senior legal talent in Ireland.
The Competitive Outlook: What Comes Next for Eversheds Sutherland
With revenue at the international firm growing and profit per equity partner rising in 2025, Eversheds Sutherland appears poised to invest further in Ireland. Market analysts expect:
- Additional lateral hires in corporate, finance, disputes, and real estate
- Deeper integration between Dublin, Belfast, London, and continental Europe
- Strategic expansion in high-growth sectors such as life sciences and renewable energy
- Continued competition with major Irish firms for top-tier transactional and regulatory work
The latest hires represent not just rebuilding, but repositioning — aiming to create a streamlined, internationally connected Irish practice capable of securing major domestic and multinational mandates.