On Thursday, 7 May 2015, two of Limerick’s top law firms are merged to create one of the largest firms in Limerick employing over 30 people. Connolly Sellors Geraghty and Keating & Keogh have announced a merger to create one large firm– Keating Connolly Sellors – to service a Limerick, Munster and international client base.  Historically, this is the first merger of its size outside Dublin, where two mid-sized firms have strategically merged to create a larger legal resource to handle business.

Stephen Keogh, who practices in the area of corporate law,will lead the firm as Managing Partner with the support of the firm’s five other partners; Joseph Murphy (litigation), Eugene Cush (commercial property), Ian Sheehy (privateclient), Miriam O’Connor (property) and Ronan Hynes (civil and commercial litigation).  Minister for Finance Michael Noonan is to attend the official launch this Friday.

Stephen Keogh, Managing Partner comments, “Mergers can often be associated with downsizing and pooling resources, however, in our case it is very much the opposite. This merger will allow us to give access to the very best of professional advice across all the legal disciplines including corporate banking, commercial property, litigation and family law.”

Limerick has seen good signs of recovery with international firms such as Regeneron and Cooke Medical using it as their European gateway. The €80 million redevelopment of the Limerick opera centre which comes as part of the economic and spatial plan for the city, will mean a huge boost to Limerick city creating up to 3,000 jobs during the construction phase.

Stephen comments, “Traditionally many SMEs and larger local businesses have looked to the Big Five based in Dublin for legal advice – this no longer need be the case. Keating Connolly Sellors has the legal expertise to handle both the largest and smallest clients here in Limerick.”

Keating Connolly Sellors plans to expand rapidly by employing further legal professionals by the end of 2015.  The new firm will maintain offices on both O’Connell and Glentworth Street, Limerick.

Miriam O’Connor, Partner, said “We regularly advise on mergers and acquisitions and having merged ourselves, we know first hand the challenges associated with completing a successful merger for growth.  This is especially relevant for SMEs looking to acquire new businesses to fuel the expansion process.”

Ian Sheehy, Partner, “We are passionate about being able to manage both the one to one smaller private clients who have worked with us for many years and the larger corporates in the Limerick and Shannon areas.  We don’t plan to fall into the mindset of some large firms, which can often compromise on personal client service as they grow. Keating Connolly Sellors will very much have a fresh approach, using over 150 years of history and expertise, channelled through a new generation of emerging legal talent. We will be the firm that maintains the personal touch, putting our clients first, always calling back and cutting through the legal jargon.”

For more about Keating Connolly Sellors, log onto www.sellors.ie, or contact telephone 061 414355.

Biographies

Stephen Keogh, Managing Partner, Keating Connolly Sellors

Stephen’s commercial experience is founded on a degree in Accounting & Finance. He acts for indigenous and multinational companies in the area of mergers & acquisitions, commercial contracts, business advisory and shareholder agreements. He also represents a number of banks and investor groups on property related matters.

Ian Sheehy, Partner, Keating Connolly Sellors

Ian heads up the Private Client Department of the firm providing practical and client focused advice in a confidential and sensitive manner. Ian has particular expertise in the area of probate law and succession planning. Prior to working with Connolly Sellors Geraghty he acted on behalf of a number of banks in a mid tier Dublin law firm. He has also gained expertise in advising clients in relation to planning law and setting up of large scale residential and commercial developments including housing, apartments, business parks, hotel developments and tax driven projects.

Miriam O’Connor, Partner, Keating Connolly Sellors

Miriam has experience in all areas of property law with over a ten year track record acting for a large number of private companies and clients. Miriam has advised and drafted complex schemes of development for residential and commercial projects including housing, apartments, business parks, hotel developments and tax driven projects. Miriam also advises in relation to banking, restructuring, securities and general company law for her public and private sector clients conducting property portfolio reviews for the firm’s larger land holding clients to include semi state bodies, receivers and banks.

Sellors – A new firm coming from over 150 years of history

P.S Connolly established in Limerick in mid 1800’s. Niall Sheehy became managing partner in 1976.

M. Sellors & Co. established in Limerick mid 1800’s. Dermod Morrissy Murphy became owner in 1977.

Geraghty & Co. (I will ask Paddy) established in Limerick in 1970’s.

Connolly Sellors Geraghty established in Limerick in 1978.

Connolly Sellors Geraghty purchased F.M Fitt & Co in early 1980’s (which had also been around since 1800’s

F.B Keating & Co. established in Limerick in 1971.

Stephen Keogh joined in 2009 and rebranded in  2013 becoming K & K Solictors