Simmons & Simmons has hired an additional two partners for its 2018 Dublin office opening.

Niamh Ryan and Elaine Keane will join the firm from A&L Goodbody, where they are partners in the asset management and investment funds group.

Legal Week revealed in October that Simmons was planning to launch in Dublin, having recruited former Mason Hayes & Curran partner Fionan Breathnach to head up the office.

The firm said in a statement today (14 February) that it expects to open in the Irish capital in the next few months, and aims to build the office to 10 partners with about 40 people in total during the next three years.

Ryan, formerly head of A&L Goodbody's London office, has been with the firm for eight years. She trained at McKeever Rowan Solicitors and joined A&L Goodbody as an associate in 2010. Ryan focuses on the establishment of regulated funds in Ireland and related regulatory advice,

Keane joined A&L Goodbody almost five years ago from Dublin-based firm Maples and Calder. She works on advisory and regulatory aspects of the Irish funds industry.

Simmons head of financial services Richard Perry said: "Brexit presents Ireland with opportunities for asset managers and others wishing to be certain of future passporting rights into the European market. Ireland is a leading European investment funds jurisdiction and has proved particularly attractive for the establishment and servicing of alternative asset funds."

Simmons head of asset management and investment funds Colin Leaver added: "A presence in Dublin enables us to enhance our client offering. The Dublin office also provides a strong presence for fund formation and regulatory advice in the asset management and financial institution sectors."

An A&L Goodbody spokesperson said: "We are sorry to see Niamh and Elaine go, but wish them well in the future."

Last year, Legal Week also revealed that US firm Covington & Burling was awaiting regulatory clearance from the Irish Law Society to launch a life sciences and technology-focused office in Dublin, while Pinsent Masons opened in Dublin with the hire of three partners from local firms, making it the first international firm to open in Ireland after the Brexit vote.