HCR Law strengthens ties with Irish law firm through reciprocal secondment

Emma Kennelly, 27, who qualified as a solicitor with Irish law firm Flynn O’Driscoll, has started a six-month secondment in HCR Law’s London office, working in the Corporate team.

This is HCR Law’s latest cross-border secondment through LawExchange International (LEI), the global network of independent law firms, of which HCR Law’s Head of International, Claire Holford, is the Chair.

LEI member firms cover the world’s major commercial centres by providing access to trusted, local legal counsel across the world.

LEI also facilitates cross-border lawyer secondments, allowing newly qualified and experienced lawyers to experience work in other jurisdictions which helps strengthen collaborations between member firms.

Emma said: “My decision to do a secondment was inspired by the time I spent with three HCR lawyers during their secondments at Flynn O’Driscoll in Dublin. Their experiences really highlighted the benefits and opportunities that come with a secondment.

“I was attracted to HCR in particular because of the firm’s strong reputation as a leading law firm and its genuine passion for people which is reflected in the firm’s culture.”

Emma works in corporate law, where HCR enjoys a particularly strong reputation. The firm has just retained its position as the UK’s leading legal adviser for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), according to Experian’s MarketIQ Q1 2026 rankings. It ranks first nationally, extending its lead, with a 37% margin over its nearest competitor.

She added: “While the Irish and English legal systems are very similar, I am enjoying learning the main differences between them and how to apply my existing knowledge to the work here.”

London was her top location choice for a secondment. “I had never lived in London or the wider UK before, but I have family and several friends here, which has made the transition feel very natural. It’s been fantastic to explore London beyond the usual tourist spots and discover what the city has to offer from a local’s perspective.

“The daily walk to the office takes me over London Bridge and when I get to the office, the view is no less spectacular as we look out over the Shard and Tower Bridge.”

Claire Holford, Partner and Head of International at HCR Law, who took on the role of Global Chair of LEI earlier this year, said: “At HCR Law, cross-border advice has always been part of our offering and demand for this expertise continues to grow.”

“To support this, one of LEI’s core objectives is to build long-term professional relationships with member firms through regular secondments to strengthen our network.”

Lara Bethell, Partner in the Corporate team is overseeing the secondment, added: “We are delighted to welcome Emma to our London offices and I’m delighted that she’s enjoying the experience.”