“Doing Business Out West” - The U.S./Ireland Legal Symposium:

“Doing Business Out West” - The U.S./Ireland Legal Symposium:

Tom Grace

May 2011 is a month of momentous firsts for Ireland, we have the first visit of a reigning British Monarch for 100 yrs, a first visit to Ireland for current U.S. President Barack Obama and recently, from the 11^th-13^th of May, the beautiful Knockranny Hotel in Westport was the venue for what was a hugely successful inaugural US/Ireland Legal Symposium.

Hosted by the Brehon Law Society of Philadelphia and supported by Mayo County Council, the Western Development Commission, NUI Galway and Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia, the symposium dealt with critical legal issues for US and Irish companies when doing business in the U.S./Ireland/Europe.

“The Brehons” who are a professional association that foster the profession of law among individuals of Irish Ancestry had started the week with a thoroughly enjoyable tour of the Four Courts and the Dail (in Dublin) organised by Gavin O’Reilly of Recruit Legal.  Pat Deering, Fine Gael T.D. for Carlow/Kilkenny, was a very genial and informative tour guide for the Dail trip and ensured that everybody headed to the West in good form.

Following registrations and welcomes on Wednesday evening, Deirdre Somers – Chairperson of the Brehon Law Symposium and CEO of the Irish Stock Exchange – signalled the start of proceedings in earnest on Thursday morning.  There followed a day crammed with numerous networking opportunities and six (yes six!) informative and enlightening sessions covering topics from the current turbulent economic times and tax considerations for Irish and U.S. Companies to Global mobility and access to government and lobbying. 

Highlights on the day included a session on commercial litigation, moderated by Kevin Kent of Conrad O’Brien.  It featured a “tour de force” from the Head of the Commercial Division of the Irish High Court; The Hon. Mr. Justice Peter Kelly ably assisted by Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor of the Ohio Supreme Court, U.S federal judge The Hon. Eduardo C. Robreno and Kieran Cowhey of Irish firm, Dillon Eustace.

There was also a memorable session on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in which Ireland was proposed as a very suitable and effective potential venue for international arbitrations.  Moderated by Joe Behan, former International President of the Chartered Institute or Arbitrators, it included insightful contributions from Michael Collins SC, Chairman of Arbitration Ireland, former Attorney General Paul Gallagher SC and from a US perspective, Kelly Huller, Vice President, Legal for Globus Medical Inc and Robert Dunne, a Civil Litigation Attorney with his own practice in New York. 

With the serious work of the day wrapped up at 5.30 pm, the ladies returned looking beautiful and the men somewhat dashing for the drinks reception at 7.00 pm.  During drinks John J. O’Malley, Volpe & Koenig acted as MC and oversaw speeches by, and presentations of replica “Liberty Bells” courtesy of the Brehon Law Society, to Cllr. Teresa McGuire (Cathaoirleach, Westport Town Council) and Cllr. Michael Burke (Cathaoirleach, Mayo County Council).   The Hon. Joseph Rocks, Chairman and CEO of NHS Human Services, rounded up proceedings with a presentation of sponsored golf shirts and a gentle warning for Irish participants in the Mini Ryder Cup due for Friday afternoon.  Then it was on to the Nephin Suite for the Gala Dinner.

The Gala Dinner signalled the arrival of an Taoiseach, Enda Kenny who was to make a great impression on everyone during the course of the evening.  Things kicked off in style when, Legal Professional and “potential recording artist”, Theresa Flanagan Murtagh of the Brehons performed an uplifting “Star Spangled Banner” and a rousing and word-perfect “Amhran Na Bhfiann.  The speeches, which were to keep dinner from our tables until 10.15 pm!, were convened by Peter Hynes, Mayo County Manager.   Donncha O’Connell of sponsors, NUI Galway led the way with an entertaining and informative speech. 

Then the Taoiseach took to his feet for one of the highlights of the whole event.  He spoke of the great historical links between the countries, the current economic challenges and about his own recent visit to the US and the impending visit of President Barack Obama to Ireland.   At all times personal and engaging, Mr Kenny spoke of how both countries have helped each other in the past and the belief that, they can and will do so in the future, and that the relationships formed over the course of the symposium were among the building blocks for Ireland’s economic redemption.  A standing ovation reflected the impact of the Taoiseach’s speech and Joseph T. Kelley Jr., President of the Brehon Law Society of Philadelphia, answered his call to arms immediately and pledged the support of his members. As the speeches came to an end, the Taoiseach was delighted to receive a presentation from Mr Kelley on behalf of the Brehons and a Citation from the Hon. Joseph Rocks on behalf of the State of Pennsylvania.   Dinner, music and networking carried on into the early hours.

Friday morning saw those dedicated and hardy souls amongst us back in session by 9.00 am for a discussion on corporate governance and regulation. Contributions included that of Joseph T. Kelley, fresh from the night before and clearly a man of boundless energy and dedication.

The second session of the day on IP Law, moderated by John O’Malley of Volpe & Koenig, was intriguing and included contributions from Thomas J. Goodwin, McCarter & English and Jeanne Kelly of Mason, Hayes and Curran.  Following the mid morning coffee, the final session of the symposium which concentrated on accessing venture capital in Ireland and the U.S. was, as you can imagine, well attended.  A fine overview by Regina Breheny, Irish Venture Capital Association, was followed by detailed contributions from George J. Nemphos of Duane Morris, The Hon. Joseph Rocks and Frank Ryan of Enterprise Ireland amongst others.  With the “heavy lifting” done, it was off for one final networking lunch.

The Symposium’s success reflects huge credit on all those involved in the organisation of the event, from those in the Western Development Commission and Mayo County Council to; of course, the Brehon Law Society’s own organising committee and staff.  This was surely only the start of what must become an annual calendar highlight of US/Irish Business relationships.  Alliances have been formed and relationships have been forged, none of which will be spoiled by the US taking the golfing glory back across the “Pond”.

Comhghairdeas libh go léir!