LK Shields Announces Appointment of New Managing Partner

PUBLISHED: 4th May 2023

The firm is also delighted to announce two new department heads and one promotion to corporate partner

LK Shields is delighted to announce the appointment of Head of Corporate and Commercial, Richard Curran, as the firm’s new Managing Partner.  Richard succeeded David Williams as Managing Partner on 1 May 2023.  Alongside this change, the firm is delighted to announce the appointment of Gemma Forde as Head of our Galway office, David Naughton as Head of Financial Services, and the promotion of Lester Sosa Villatoro to Partner in our Corporate team.

Richard Curran joined the firm as a Partner in 2005.  He became Head of the Corporate and Commercial Department in 2018.  Richard advises a large portfolio of domestic and international clients on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and development finance transactions.

Gemma Forde joined the firm as a Partner in 2022.  Based in our Galway office, Gemma advises corporate and commercial clients on the sale and acquisition of companies across numerous sectors.  Gemma also has a strong commercial property background and has acted in the acquisition and disposal of commercial property, property aspects of corporate and M&A transactions, the sale and acquisition of multi property investments and commercial landlord and tenant matters.

David Naughton joined the firm as a Partner in 2019.  David focuses his practice on investment fund formation, debt capital markets and financial services regulatory matters.  He primarily represents institutional and entrepreneurial investment managers, financial services firms and private investment funds.

Lester Sosa Villatoro joined the firm as a Corporate Associate in 2019.  Lester advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, management and leveraged buy-outs, corporate restructuring, grant aided, venture capital and private equity investments, joint ventures and partnerships, trading agreements, licensing agreements, executive entry and exit arrangements.

The above announcements come in the recent wake of the appointments of Jenny Ahern as Head of Banking and Finance, Aideen Burke as Head of Intellectual Property, Technology and Data Privacy, and the Pat Fox as a Partner in the Real Estate team.

Commenting on the recent announcements, Richard Curran, newly appointed Managing Partner said:

“The past number of years have seen continued growth for the firm across core practice areas.  We have made a number of significant hires and remain focused on providing expert advice coupled with excellent client service.  We have a thriving domestic and international client base, and we will continue to adapt and innovate in accordance with the needs of our clients and the market as a whole.”

David Williams will resume a client facing role as part of the Financial Services team.

Commenting on the change, David Williams, outgoing Managing Partner said:

“I thoroughly enjoyed leading the talented and dedicated team of solicitors at LK Shields and am proud of our many achievements over the past number of years.  A commitment to client service and a culture of excellence are hallmarks of LK Shields.”

Pictured at the announcement: Pat Fox (Real Estate), David Williams (Financial Services), Jenny Ahern (Head of Banking and Finance), Aideen Burke (Head of Intellectual Property, Technology and Data Privacy), Clair Cassidy (Head of Real Estate), Richard Curran (Managing Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial), Gemma Forde (Head of Galway Office), Jill Callanan (Head of Litigation), and Lester Sosa Villatoro (Corporate and Commercial).