Gavin Blake joins Addleshaw Goddard to head up new division

International law firm, Addleshaw Goddard LLP has marked its first year in Ireland with the launch of its energy practice. The firm has recruited Partner Gavin Blake to head up the new practice, bringing with him more than 15 years of experience advising clients in the Irish energy sector.

The move reinforces Addleshaw Goddard's ambitious growth plans following its merger with Dublin-based Eugene F Collins LLP in March 2022. The firm aims to double the size of the business in Ireland over the next three to five years – it now has 29 Partners in Ireland and has already seen double-digit growth in headcount over the past 12 months.

Over the course of the first year, the team has provided advice on several notable matters, such as the largest office letting in Ireland, Salesforce Tower Dublin, the shareholders of Irish based confectionery manufacturing group, Rose Holdings on its investment from private equity group Melior Equity Partners and DunPort Capital Management's financing of Schivo Medical's acquisition of APN Global.

Commenting on the launch of its new energy practice, Mark Walsh, Head of Ireland, Addleshaw Goddard, said: "Our international Energy Group is one of the strongest in the sector, advising market leaders in power generation and renewable energy across technologies including wind, solar, combined cycle gas, bioenergy and energy storage. Launching an energy practice in the Irish market was a natural next step for the firm, allowing us to support clients operating in the energy sector as the country accelerates towards meeting 2030 climate targets.

"When Addleshaw Goddard established its presence in Ireland, we committed to growing the business to better serve our clients, and we are delivering on that promise. Energy and infrastructure projects encapsulate some of the most exciting opportunities for the country, and our team here and internationally can help businesses make the most of those opportunities.”

As Head of Energy & Infrastructure in Ireland, Gavin will be a key member of the firm's global Infrastructure, Projects and Energy (IPE) team, which in addition to the full spectrum of energy and utilities work, advises on major social infrastructure and transport projects. Mark Walsh continued: "Gavin's expertise will be a huge asset to our clients and growing team. We are confident that he will play a key role in establishing Addleshaw Goddard as a leading provider of legal services in the energy and infrastructure sectors for clients operating in and out of Ireland." 

Gavin has advised on a wide range of projects, including developments seeking to deploy onshore and offshore wind, solar PV, energy storage initiatives, grid system services, anaerobic digestion and CHP. He works with developers, funders and investors at all stages of the project life cycle and also regularly advises on M&A transactions in the energy space. Gavin, current company secretary and a past director of the Irish Solar Energy Association, trained initially as a solicitor with Eugene F Collins before the firm's merger with Addleshaw Goddard.

Gavin Blake, Partner and Head of Energy & Infrastructure, Addleshaw Goddard Ireland, said: "I am delighted to have joined Addleshaw Goddard to lead the firm’s energy practice in Ireland. I have seen first-hand the increase in demand for specialist legal services in the energy sector, and I'm looking forward to providing clients with expert support and advice on renewables, wider energy issues and large infrastructure projects."