Ballon native Darren to lead top law firm
Matheson managing partner Michael Jackson and incoming managing partner Darren Maher
A CARLOW man who started his education at Ballon National School is set to lead one of Ireland’s most prestigious law firms, capping off a remarkable 22-year career journey that began in his home county.
Darren Maher, originally from Ballon, has been unanimously elected as managing partner of Matheson LLP, Ireland’s leading corporate law firm. The appointment, announced last week, will see him take the reins from 1 January 2026 when current managing partner Michael Jackson completes his final term.
Maher’s path to the top began locally, attending Ballon National School, before progressing to Tullow Community School. After completing his BCL at University College Dublin, he joined Matheson in 2003 straight from his law degree and has remained with the firm throughout his entire career.
The 200-year-old Dublin-based firm represents some of the world’s biggest companies, including the majority of Fortune 100 companies, seven of the top ten global technology brands, and over half of the world’s 50 largest banks. With 930 employees across offices in Dublin, Cork, London, New York, San Francisco and Palo Alto, Matheson has established itself as the go-to legal advisor for international companies doing business in Ireland.
Maher’s rise through the ranks has been steady and impressive. Starting in the banking and financial services team, he joined the firm’s financial institutions group when it was established in 2010. He was promoted to partner in 2012 and became head of the financial institutions group in 2017. Most recently, in 2023, he was appointed co-head of the corporate department, alongside David Fitzgibbon.
“I am delighted to have been appointed by my peers to lead Matheson during its next period of growth and development and I am very much looking forward to the challenge,” Darren said following the announcement.
Outgoing managing partner Michael Jackson, who has led the firm for the past decade, praised Darren’s appointment. “Throughout his career at Matheson, Darren has shown a commitment to our values and an ability to build and engage multidisciplinary teams,” he said. “He has a deep knowledge of our clients and the international markets in which they operate, a deep understanding of the Irish and global regulatory environment and is an internationally renowned and respected lawyer.”
Mr Jackson added that Darren is “ideally positioned to lead Matheson through its next phase of growth” and expressed confidence that “the firm will continue to go from strength to strength under his leadership”.
Darren, who is married to Niamh, a former Matheson partner, and lives in Dublin, specialises in advising leading domestic and international financial institutions on complex financial services law matters. He has published articles in leading financial services publications and regularly speaks at key industry conferences across Ireland and the UK.
