Hogan Lovells is pleased to announce that Eimear O’Brien will be joining the firm on 5 September as a partner in the firm´s Global Regulatory practice, based in the Dublin office.

Eimear joins Hogan Lovells from Birchal Ireland where she was the Chief Legal Officer and an Executive Director. Prior to that, she was one of the early recruits at DLA Piper’s Irish office, where she established and led their Financial Regulatory department. She was an important contributor to DLA Piper’s Payments Forum and was also heavily involved in their International Fintech, Payments and Financial Services working groups.

Eimear has also held senior positions in the Central Bank of Ireland’s Legal and Enforcement divisions. Earlier in her career she spent two years at the Hogan Lovells London financial services practice.

She is highly experienced in advising both domestic and international clients on financial regulatory issues, including fintech and banking regulation, retail financial services and governance. She is dual-qualified in Ireland, England and Wales. Her hire follows the firm’s launch of a Dublin office in March 2021, and broadens its offering to clients.

Commenting on the appointment, Eoin O Connor, Office Managing Partner of Hogan Lovells in Dublin said: “Eimear is a great addition to our Dublin office and I am confident that she will contribute greatly to the work we are doing in both financial services and fintech. Eimear’s knowledge of the Central Bank’s approach to non-contentious and investigatory matters will be helpful in guiding and advising clients on interactions with the regulator. Her appointment will enable us to further capitalise on opportunities with clients seeking EU regulatory advice and foster relationships with a number of fintech start-ups and unicorns.”

Eimear added: “I am excited to be joining Hogan Lovells’ Dublin office. The firm’s financial services expertise across its global network is second-to-none. I look forward to being part of Hogan Lovells highly impressive Global Regulatory practice and supporting clients on their regulatory issues.”

In addition to Eimear, Hogan Lovells’ Dublin office is further expanding with the addition of experienced financial regulatory associate Bill Laffan who joins the firm from Walkers. Bill’s experience includes acting for a wide range of domestic and international financial institutions.