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Mason Hayes & Curran: Irish Business Law Firm, 124 Partners

Oliver Davies Sutton • 2026-07-29 • Reviewed by Maya Thompson

Anyone who has tried to navigate Irish business law knows that finding the right firm can feel like a puzzle, but Mason Hayes & Curran has been a steady presence since the 1950s, combining a full-service approach with a specialty debt recovery division. With 124 partners and offices on both sides of the Atlantic, the firm has built a reputation that goes beyond its size.

Partners: 124 · Total staff: over 670 · Offices: Dublin, London, New York, San Francisco

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact founding year (1950s approximate) – not publicly confirmed in detail
  • Partner salary figures – not publicly disclosed by the firm
3Timeline signal
  • 1950s: Firm founded (Mason Hayes & Curran brochure)
  • 2000s: London office opened (Mason Hayes & Curran brochure)
  • 2010s: New York and San Francisco offices opened (Mason Hayes & Curran brochure)
  • 2025: 124 partners, 670+ staff (Law Society Gazette)
4What’s next
  • Continued international expansion likely – firm already has four offices
  • Debt recovery practice expected to grow with Irish commercial lending market
  • Potential new partner appointments as firm scales

Six facts that define the firm at a glance:

Label Value
Headquarters Dublin, Ireland
Number of partners 124
Total employees 670+
International offices London, New York, San Francisco
Practice areas Full-service business law
Debt recovery division Yes

Who is Mason Hayes Curran?

Firm overview and sectors

Mason Hayes & Curran is a full-service Irish business law firm that describes itself as serving clients across energy, technology, financial services, and more. The firm’s own brochure states it is a business law firm with offices in Dublin, London, New York, and San Francisco. It is not a general practice – rather, it focuses on corporate, commercial, and dispute resolution work for institutional clients.

Office locations

The firm’s people page lists Ron Boucher as Head of the London office and confirms the presence of partners in all four cities. The Law Society Gazette also notes that the firm has offices in London, New York, and San Francisco, alongside its Dublin headquarters.

The upshot

Mason Hayes & Curran’s international footprint puts it ahead of many Irish peers that only operate domestically. For a client with cross-border needs, that network is a real asset.

The implication: This international network gives the firm a competitive edge for cross-border clients.

How many partners are in Mason Hayes Curran?

Current partnership size

As of 2025, the firm has 124 partners. This figure comes from the Law Society Gazette, which reported that legal leaders were named at the firm and that it is staffed by over 650 professionals. The firm’s own insolvency brochure from 2019 listed 90 partners, indicating steady growth over the past six years.

Total staff count

The same Law Society Gazette piece says the firm has over 650 professionals. A TCM Group page, while less authoritative, mentions over 330 staff including 73 partners and more than 127 solicitors. The variance in counts suggests the firm has grown significantly in recent years, with the most recent and reliable source (Law Society Gazette) pointing to 670+ total staff.

Why this matters

For a law firm, the partner-to-staff ratio is a signal of profitability and career progression. Mason Hayes & Curran’s 124 partners among 670 staff means roughly one partner for every 5.4 employees – a lean structure that suggests high partner leverage.

The pattern: A lean partner-to-staff ratio suggests efficient operations and high partner earnings.

What is Mason Hayes and Curran debt recovery?

Debt recovery practice overview

Mason Hayes & Curran has a dedicated debt recovery division that has been in operation since 1976, according to TCM Group. The division is headed by partner Jason Harte, who handles pre-legal recovery, litigation, judgment enforcement, and bankruptcy work.

Types of debt recovery services

Legal 500 specifically notes that Jason Harte carries out high-volume loan recovery work for businesses, banks, and other lenders in the Irish market. The firm’s debt recovery team also includes partner Liz Quinn, promoted in 2017 (Irish Legal (Irish legal news site); Liz Quinn LinkedIn profile). The division serves multinational, institutional, and government clients.

“We are delighted to announce Liz Quinn’s appointment as partner in our debt recovery team.”

— Jason Harte, Head of Debt Recovery at Mason Hayes & Curran, as quoted by Irish Legal

What is the history of Mason Hayes and Curran?

Founding and early years

Mason Hayes & Curran was founded in the 1950s, according to the firm’s own brochure. The exact year is not publicly specified, but the firm has been a fixture in Irish business law for over seven decades.

International expansion

The firm expanded beyond Ireland in the 2000s, opening a London office. It later added New York and San Francisco offices in the 2010s, giving it a presence in key financial hubs. Today, the firm employs over 670 people across four offices.

The catch

While the firm’s history is long, its public narrative is thin. Most of the historical detail comes from the firm’s own marketing materials, which means independent verification is limited. Competitors like Arthur Cox or A&L Goodbody have more documented histories in the public domain.

The catch: The firm’s historical narrative relies heavily on its own marketing materials, limiting independent verification.

What are Mason Hayes and Curran known for?

Core practice areas

Mason Hayes & Curran is a full-service business law firm. Its people page lists partners specializing in dispute resolution, cyber security and data privacy, and debt recovery, among other areas. The firm covers sectors including energy, technology, and financial services.

Industry recognition

The firm is ranked in Chambers Europe and recognized by Legal 500. The Law Society Gazette has covered its leadership appointments. However, the firm does not appear in the top tier of the “Big 5” Irish law firms (Arthur Cox, A&L Goodbody, McCann FitzGerald, William Fry, and Matheson). Mason Hayes & Curran is often described as a “leading” but not “top 5” firm.

“Mason Hayes & Curran is a business law firm with offices in Dublin, London, New York, and San Francisco.”

— Mason Hayes & Curran brochure (firm’s official marketing)

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

  • Mason Hayes & Curran is a leading Irish business law firm (Mason Hayes & Curran brochure)
  • Has 124 partners and over 670 staff (Law Society Gazette)
  • Offices in Dublin, London, New York, San Francisco (Mason Hayes & Curran people page)
  • Has a dedicated debt recovery division (Legal 500)
  • Debt recovery practice led by Jason Harte (Jason Harte LinkedIn profile)

What’s unclear

  • Exact founding year detail (1950s approximate)
  • Partner salary figures (not publicly confirmed)
  • Exact staff count variance (600–670+)
  • Debt recovery division founding year (1976) from TCM Group only, not independently verified
  • Partner promotion details (Liz Quinn) from Irish Legal only, not independently verified

Timeline

  • – Mason Hayes & Curran founded
  • – London office opened
  • – New York and San Francisco offices opened
  • – 124 partners, 670+ staff (Law Society Gazette)

Summary

Mason Hayes & Curran is a serious player in Irish business law, but it is not a household name like the Big 5. Its strength lies in its debt recovery specialization and its international offices, which give it an edge for clients with cross-border needs. For a business owner in Ireland considering legal representation, the choice is clear: if you need broad corporate counsel with a proven debt recovery arm, this firm offers a rare combination. If you are looking for the top-tier brand recognition of a McCann or Arthur Cox, you may want to look elsewhere.

A detailed overview of Mason Hayes & Curran explores the firm’s 124-partner structure.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mason Hayes & Curran a good law firm to work for?

Employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor and LinkedIn suggest a professional environment with strong mentorship, though salary data is not publicly disclosed. The firm’s size (124 partners, 670+ staff) indicates significant career opportunities.

What types of law does Mason Hayes & Curran practice?

The firm is full-service, covering corporate, commercial, dispute resolution, debt recovery, cyber security, data privacy, and employment law. It serves sectors including energy, technology, and financial services.

How can I apply for a job at Mason Hayes & Curran?

Job listings are posted on the firm’s website at mhc.ie/careers and on LinkedIn. The firm recruits solicitors, trainees, and support staff.

Does Mason Hayes & Curran have offices outside Ireland?

Yes, it has offices in London, New York, and San Francisco, in addition to its Dublin headquarters.

What is the average salary at Mason Hayes & Curran?

Salary figures are not publicly confirmed. Estimates from legal recruitment sites suggest partner incomes range from €150,000 to €300,000+, but this is speculative.

How does Mason Hayes & Curran compare to other Irish law firms?

It is a leading firm but not among the Big 5 (Arthur Cox, A&L Goodbody, McCann FitzGerald, William Fry, Matheson). Its debt recovery division is a standout differentiator.

What is the debt recovery process at Mason Hayes & Curran?

According to Legal 500, the process includes pre-legal recovery, litigation, judgment enforcement, and bankruptcy work. The team handles high-volume loan recovery for banks and lenders.

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Oliver Davies Sutton

About the author

Oliver Davies Sutton

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