Mason Hayes & Curran announces the re-selection of Declan Black as Managing Partner

Mason Hayes & Curran have announced the re-selection of Declan Black as the firm’s managing partner for a third term. Declan, a lifer, first became managing partner in 2013. Since then, the firm’s annual turnover has doubled and headcount has risen to over 500. The firm was named as the Irish Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer European Awards in 2019 and received the top award for Innovation in Legal Expertise at the prestigious FT Innovative Lawyers Awards in 2018.

Commenting on his re-selection, Declan said “The things that matter in Mason Hayes & Curran are our clients and our people. We work very hard to advise clients in an unstuffy, user-friendly way that will deliver the best outcomes for their organisations. We also try to create a working environment that allows everyone in the firm to make a positive contribution to our business. I’m pleased to be able to continue these efforts as managing partner.”

Mason Hayes & Curran Chair, Kevin Hoy, added “I am very pleased that Declan has been re-selected for a third term. This is both an endorsement of Declan’s stewardship of the firm to date and also an expression of confidence in his leadership for the years to come.”

Declan also leads the firm’s CSR activities, which focus on education, particularly for the disadvantaged. The firm contributes about 1% of turnover in cash and kind to causes focused largely on education, particularly for the disadvantaged. The firm established the Engage & Educate Fund with Ireland’s Social Innovation Fund, a three-year €450,000 fund with the aim of supporting projects which empower people through education to achieve their full potential and to contribute to their community. We are also a lead sponsor of the UCD Sutherland Opportunity, which provides financial resources for students from under-represented groups to pursue a career in law.

Declan’s personal expertise is in the resolution of business disputes and the management of insolvency risk. He advises on disputes and investigations with significant reputational and financial consequences for the protagonists and has acted in many high-value matters, commonly with an international component.