Further growth boost for Eversheds Sutherland with key partner hires in Dublin and Belfast

Laura Fannin joins Dublin to boost commercial, privacy and tech capability

Laura strengthens the firm’s commercial, privacy and technology capability in Ireland and represents the third partner hire since the integration of its Irish practice into the firm’s International business.

Laura joins the firm from Hayes Solicitors LLP, where she was a partner and led the data protection and privacy team. She brings more than 18 years’ experience advising high profile clients across data protection, commercial contracts, technology, artificial intelligence, consumer law and advertising and marketing regulation.

Her appointment establishes partner level commercial capability locally and enhances the firm’s ability to support Irish and international clients on complex cross border matters, particularly at the intersection of privacy, technology and regulation.

Laura’s practice covers a broad range of commercial advisory work, including data protection and privacy compliance, regulatory investigations, data breach management, international data transfers, complex commercial contracts, technology agreements, and advice on digital regulation, including the EU AI Act and the Digital Services Act.

She is also widely recognised for her experience in advertising and marketing law, advising both brands and agencies on regulatory compliance and copy clearance.

Her arrival continues the firm’s strategy of building out its Irish platform with senior talent aligned to client demand, particularly in high growth areas such as AI, digital regulation and technology driven commercial advice. Laura will focus on embedding in the Dublin office, integrating into the wider firm and continuing to develop and grow commercial client relationships in Ireland.

Pamela O’Neill, Partner and Dublin Managing Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“Laura’s appointment is another important step forward for our Dublin office and our continued growth in Ireland since integration. Ahead of our move to a new office, building partner level capability locally is key to strengthening our ability to support Irish clients, as well as international clients seeking joined up Irish, UK and European advice. Laura is an excellent cultural fit and brings deep experience in areas where client demand continues to accelerate.”Simon Gamlin, Partner and Commercial Advisory Practice Group Head, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“Laura brings a rare combination of technical excellence, strong client relationships and proven practice building experience. Her broad commercial skillset across privacy, technology and regulatory advisory aligns closely with our strategic priorities and her arrival further reinforces our commitment to growing a strong, integrated commercial offering in Ireland as part of our wider international platform.”

Laura Fannin, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“I’m delighted to be joining Eversheds Sutherland at such an exciting time for the firm in Ireland. The integrated international platform is a real draw for my practice, particularly as clients increasingly look for multi-jurisdictional advice across privacy, technology and commercial regulation. I’m looking forward to building the commercial offering in Ireland, working closely with colleagues across the firm and supporting clients on complex and fast evolving regulatory and commercial challenges.”

Grant Edwards strengthens Belfast corporate offering

Grant enhances the firm’s corporate capability in Northern Ireland, supporting its ambition to deliver a full-service, globally connected offering in the region.

He joins from Shoosmiths, where he was a partner in the corporate team, and is a dual-qualified corporate lawyer (Northern Ireland and England & Wales) advising on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital transactions, with a particular focus on the energy and technology sectors.

Based in Belfast, Grant works with local and international clients and intermediaries, regularly advising on UK-wide matters and strengthening the firm’s ability to support Northern Ireland mandates alongside wider UK, Ireland and cross-border transactions.

His appointment further strengthens Eversheds Sutherland’s corporate offering in Northern Ireland and supports closer collaboration across the firm’s UK, Ireland and international corporate teams.

Gareth Planck, Belfast Senior Office Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“Bringing Grant into the partnership is a major milestone for our Northern Ireland business. We are committed to building a genuinely full service, market leading corporate capability in the region, and Grant’s strong local profile combined with his UK wide deal experience makes him ideally placed to help drive that ambition. His arrival significantly enhances our ability to support clients based and/or operating in Northern Ireland whilst also plugging seamlessly into our global corporate platform.”

Alistair Cree, Corporate Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“Grant is an excellent strategic hire for our corporate practice. He brings deep experience in energy, venture capital and private equity, with a proven ability to work across offices and sectors on complex transactions. His knowledge and skill aligns closely with our growth priorities and strengthens our bench across the firm, enabling us to deliver fully integrated corporate advice to clients locally, nationally and internationally.”

Grant Edwards, Corporate Partner, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“I’m delighted to be joining Eversheds Sutherland at a time of clear ambition for the firm in Northern Ireland. The strength of the firm’s corporate practice, sector focus and international reach offers an unmatched opportunity to support clients on complex and increasingly cross border transactions, helping them realise their international growth ambitions. I’m looking forward to working closely with colleagues across the UK and Ireland and contributing to the continued growth of the Belfast office.”

Following the appointment of tax partner Robert Dever and employment partner Mary Gavin in Dublin, these appointments mark further significant milestones in the continued growth of Eversheds Sutherland’s platform across Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland since the integration of both practices into the firm’s international business.