Arthur Cox (law firm)

Arthur Cox
HeadquartersTen Earlsfort Terrace
Dublin, Ireland
No. of offices5 offices in 3 countries
No. of lawyers312 (2020)[1]
No. of employees900 (2022)[2]
Major practice areasGeneral corporate practice
Key peopleGeoff Moore
(Managing Partner)[3]
Ailish Finnerty
(Chair )[4]
Date founded1920[5]
FounderArthur Cox
Company typeLimited liability partnership
Websitewww.arthurcox.com

Arthur Cox is an Irish corporate law firm headquartered in Dublin, with offices in Belfast, London, New York City, and San Francisco.[6] It is one of Ireland's leading law firms, being the third largest by number of practicing solicitors in 2023.[7]

History

Arthur Cox & Co commenced practice in 1920[8] at 5 St Stephen's Green, in a premises shared with JS Evans & Co. Ltd.[9] There were two partners – Arthur Cox and John McArevey.[10][11] The firm initially benefitted from instructions from Sir Horace Plunkett, South Dublin Unionist Party MP, who Cox had met through a friend's membership of The Arts Club. This was despite Cox's father's close friendship with John Dillon, who had been a lifelong opponent of Plunkett's.[9] The firm was involved in certain aspects of the negotiations of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, with Cox claiming to have traveled to London by mail boat on eight occasions.[9] The principal business of the firm in its early years was Cox assisting his University College Dublin friends, Ministers Kevin O'Higgins, Patrick Hogan, Patrick McGilligan, who were engaged in the building of the Irish Free State.[9] In 1922, the firm was instructed by the first Attorney General of Ireland, Hugh Kennedy, to prepare an opinion[12] on the legal status of the Irish Free State in the aftermath of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, with Cox having been part of the delegation sent to London in 1921 to negotiate the terms of the treaty, whereas Kennedy had not been, to the regret of Michael Collins.[13]

Arthur Cox & Co acted as solicitors to the Irish White Cross, set up in 1920 to relieve the distress of the civilian population after the arrival of the Black and Tans. Arthur advised Áine Ceannt on her role as secretary and trustee of the association.[12]

Cox was widely acknowledged to be the architect of the Companies Act, 1963.[14]

Eugene McCague served as managing partner of the firm from 1999 to 2003, and as chairman from 2006 to 2013.[15]

2011 to present

In 2011, Arthur Cox advised the Government of Ireland in relation to Ireland's sovereign bailout under the European Financial Stability Facility.[16]

In 2017, the firm moved to a new purpose-built building over 12,000 sq.m. in size at Ten Earlsfort Terrace, to accommodate over 800 staff. [17]

In 2019, Arthur Cox was reported as the top M&A legal advisor in Ireland.[18]

In 2019, Arthur Cox was the subject of protests by the family of a Christian, former associate.[19]

In 2019, Geoff Moore took over as managing partner of the firm from Brian O'Gorman.[3][20]

In 2020, the law firm was awarded "Ireland Law Firm of the Year" at the Chambers Europe Awards and European Corporate Team of the Year at The Lawyer European Awards [21]

In 2022, the firm was named as "Ireland Legal Adviser of the Year" at the Mergermarket European M&A Awards 2022 [22]

In 2024, the firm was named "Ireland Law Firm of the Year" at the Lexology Index Awards [23]

In 2025, Ailish Finnerty was appointed Chair of the Firm, taking over from Orla O'Connor. [24]

in 2026, the firm was named "Ireland Law Firm of the Year" at the Chambers Europe Awards 2026 [25]

References

  1. ↑ "Matheson surges from third to top: Practising certificate figures for the year ending 31 December 2020". www.lawsociety.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  2. ↑ "About Us – Arthur Cox LLP". www.arthurcox.com. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  3. 1 2 Legal News, Irish. "Arthur Cox selects Geoff Moore as new managing partner". Irish Legal News. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  4. ↑ name="News"> https://www.lawsociety.ie/gazette/top-stories/2025/march/ailish-finnerty-named-as-arthur-cox-chair/
  5. ↑ "Our History – Arthur Cox LLP". www.arthurcox.com. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  6. ↑ "International – Arthur Cox LLP". www.arthurcox.com. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  7. ↑ "Matheson surges from third to top". www.lawsociety.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  8. ↑ "This working life: 'At least I get to see the kids at breakfast now'". independent. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 McCague, Eugene. (1994). Arthur Cox, 1891–1965. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan. pp. 41–43. ISBN 0-7171-2194-1. OCLC 32210818.
  10. ↑ Beesley, Arthur. "An Irishman's Diary on Arthur Cox – solicitor, senator and priest". The Irish Times. No. 2015–03–10. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  11. ↑ "Our History – Arthur Cox". www.arthurcox.com. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  12. 1 2 "Arthur Cox: witnessing history". Eolas Magazine. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  13. ↑ Forrester, Margery Michael Collins 2nd edition Gill and Macmillan 1989 p.282
  14. ↑ "Arthur Cox, more than just a Law firm". UCD LIBRARY CULTURAL HERITAGE COLLECTIONS. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  15. ↑ Taylor, Charlie. "US fintech BlueSnap opens Dublin HQ, appoints Eugene McCague". The Irish Times. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  16. ↑ SenGupta, Reena (6 October 2011). "Competitive advantage: Many firms in mainland Europe have emerged from the recession in better shape than their UK rivals". www.ft.com. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  17. ↑ "Our History". Arthur Cox LLP. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Legal News, Irish. "Arthur Cox tops M&A adviser league tables for 2019". Irish Legal News. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  19. ↑ Mahon, Brian. "Family protests against sacking of Christian solicitor". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  20. ↑ Cooney, Rosanna. "The Sunday Interview: Geoff Moore, managing partner at Arthur Cox". Business Post. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  21. ↑ "Awards". Arthur Cox LLP. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  22. ↑ "Awards". Arthur Cox LLP. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "Awards". Arthur Cox LLP. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  24. ↑ "Ailish Finnerty named as Arthur Cox chair". www.lawsociety.ie. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  25. ↑ "Chambers Europe Awards 2026 | Market Leaders | Chambers Events". wpcms.chambers.com. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
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