2025 marks a 200-year history of Matheson
Matheson LLP services the legal needs of internationally-focused companies and financial institutions doing business in and from Ireland.
Matheson's story begins with Richard Alexander Walker and Matthew Anderson, practising their trade as two solicitors in Dublin in 1825. Their lives and work, and those of all of the firm's past and present colleagues, laid the foundations for the Matheson of today.
The story charts Matheson's evolution from legal practices operated by sole practitioners in Georgian Dublin in 1825 to a modern, market-leading firm with over 900 staff and six offices in Dublin, Cork, London, New York, Palo Alto and San Francisco.
The firm's clients, colleagues and its values have helped to shape that story and the firm we have become over two centuries. Since the beginning of its history, its values and commitment to excellence have remained at the forefront of how it operates.
Matheson today
The growth and development of the Irish economy throughout Matheson's 200-year history is reflected in the firm it has become. Ireland is one of the most open economies in the world, home to many of the world's leading companies.
Matheson’s market position reflects Ireland’s status as a global hub for the technology; aviation leasing; pharmaceuticals; financial services; life sciences; agri-food; and service sectors, amongst others.
Throughout the development of the Irish economy, from the foundation of the Irish Free State, through to the formation of the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) in 1949, Ireland's entry to the EEC (now the European Union) in 1973, to becoming one of the first adopters of the euro currency, Matheson has played its part in helping many of these companies to establish and grow.
Matheson has advised the majority of the Fortune 100 companies; 7 of the top 10 global technology brands; 7 of the world’s 10 largest asset managers; and over half of the world’s 50 largest banks.
The firm’s growth is underpinned by a commitment to service excellence; its investment in developing the best business lawyers and service professionals in Ireland; an ability to work on the most complex, high-profile and high-value deals in the market; and by its commitment to making a meaningful difference to its clients, colleagues and communities.
Pictured: A snapshot of some recent awards that are currently on display in our Dublin office.
Commitment to clients
Matheson's clients are at the heart of how the firm works. The firm's standards of client care have been built on the implementation of a clear client-focused strategy, a commitment to legal excellence, and the calibre of its legal and business services professionals.
Matheson’s Client Service Charter underlines its commitment to providing exceptional service for its clients, by anticipating their needs and delivering the best possible results. It articulates clearly the principles of a client-first ethos and the standards required to ensure that its clients consistently receive a best-in-class experience.
Pictured left-right: Cathal Ryan, Deputy Commissioner, Data Protection Commission; Ciaran Fennessy, Head of Strategy and Transformation for Global Funds Services Technology, Citibank; Kieran McCorry, National Technology Officer, Microsoft, and Anne-Marie Bohan, partner, Technology and Innovation Group speaking at Matheson's Digital Economy Conference in 2024.
Partners in innovation
Developments in technology and changes in legal practice have been influenced by the rise in process-driven legal work carried out at scale, cloud computing, digital communication and the development of artificial intelligence.
Matheson has a proud tradition of leveraging technological developments, innovating in ways that make it stronger, more effective, and even more attuned to the needs of its clients. Matheson’s Digital Services Group today operates as a driver of innovation, bringing together lawyers, software developers and project managers to create new services and more efficient modes of service delivery.
The firm’s dedicated Digital Economy Group provides holistic and future-focused advice and solutions on the headline technology and regulatory issues and developments which affect its clients.
Pictured left-right: Matheson's Director of HR, Lorraine Roche, and Managing Partner, Michael Jackson celebrating Matheson's Investors in Diversity Gold Standard Award. In 2024, Matheson achieved the Gold Standard for a third time, the only organisation to do so.
Making an impact
Matheson invests in developing its people, seeks to give back to society and is a strong advocate for the economy.
The firm's values of Partnership, Respect, Innovation, Diversity and Entrepreneurship characterise its collective dynamic as a firm, and push it to achieve the highest standards.
The firm's Impactful Business Programme enhances the impact it makes by aligning D&I, corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability and arts engagement within one programme.
It is complemented by its pro bono and employee wellbeing initiatives, including the signing of the Mindful Business Charter and embracing the 'Elephant in the Room' movement.
