Minister Catherine Ardagh, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration will attend the upcoming Ireland for Law NYC Business Mission, alongside recently appointed Chair of Ireland for Law, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The mission will promote Ireland as a global hub for international legal services, and takes place from 8th to 10th September 2026.
Minister Ardagh and Mr. Kenny will lead the delegation and will be accompanied by the Attorney General of Ireland, Rossa Fanning SC, and the President of the High Court, Mr. Justice David Barniville.
The three-day itinerary features eight major events across Manhattan designed to showcase the depth, capability, and competitive advantages of the Irish legal profession to US corporations, general counsel, and law firms. Event hosts include BDO USA, Forward Global, Dechert LLP, and the Fordham University School of Law. Mission partners include the New York City Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and a number of Ireland’s leading law firm partners and senior members of the Bar of Ireland.
The mission represents a collective push by the Irish legal sector to expand its footprint in the North American market. Prominent Irish law firms and representatives from the Bar of Ireland will promote Irish law as a vital asset for global commerce.
Commenting before the mission, Minister Catherine Ardagh, Minister of State with responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, said: “I am looking forward to participating in Ireland for Law’s Business Mission to New York and to support this important initiative to promote Ireland’s legal sector internationally. The Government is committed to strengthening Ireland’s position as a leading international legal centre, and initiatives such as this mission play an important role in showcasing the expertise, professionalism and global outlook of our legal community.
“I look forward to engaging with business leaders and legal professionals in New York to highlight the strengths of Ireland’s legal system and to further deepen the strong economic and commercial ties between Ireland and the United States.”
Speaking ahead of the mission, Enda Kenny, Chair of Ireland for Law, said: “I am delighted that Minister Ardagh will join us for the NYC Business Mission. Through initiatives like this, we are showcasing the calibre of Irish legal expertise, building strategic international relationships, and reinforcing Ireland’s reputation as a trusted place to do business.
“Our legal system is a core national asset, contributing over €6.7 billion to the Irish economy each year. As the only English-speaking common law jurisdiction in the European Union, Ireland offers a strong, stable, and internationally respected legal framework. Backed by the Government’s strategic focus on enhancing Ireland’s international competitiveness, our legal profession is uniquely positioned to support global business, attract international investment, and drive sustainable economic growth.”
Programme highlights
The business mission programme brings together figures from both the Irish and US legal, political, and financial sectors:
- Tuesday, 8th September: The programme opens with ‘Financial Services in Ireland: Where Global Finance meets Trusted Law’ hosted by Dechert LLP. The evening will feature ‘Two Jurisdictions, One Transaction: Reconciling EU/Irish & U.S. Sanctions and AML Obligations’: hosted by Forward Global (One World Trade Centre) with insights from risk and resilience expert Sven Stumbauer, Forward Global.
- Wednesday, 9th September: A breakfast briefing, ‘Litigating in Ireland: Cross-Border Disputes, Investigations and Data Privacy’ will be hosted by BDO USA at the Met Life Building and will feature Mr. Justice David Barniville. Later that day, ‘Shoring up the State: Constitutional Design and the Rule of Law’ will take place at Fordham University School of Law. Speakers include former Irish Ambassador to the United States, Anne Anderson; Professor Julie Suk, Fordham School of Law; Mr. Justice David Barniville, and Attorney General Rossa Fanning SC. Arbitration Ireland will also host a dedicated session on International Arbitration on Wednesday evening.
- Thursday, 10th September: The final day of the mission will include a limited capacity ‘Visit to the Commercial Division of the New York Supreme Court’ will take place, featuring Justice Joel M Cohen. At lunchtime, the New York City Bar Association will host ‘Ireland as a Gateway for Global Aircraft Leasing’. The mission will conclude with ‘Common Law, Common Ground: Irish Law as the Gateway to Europe’, delivered in partnership with the New York State Bar Association.
Registration for all events, and details of a preferred hotel rate at Fitzpatrick’s Grand Central Hotel, are available at:https://www.irelandforlaw.com/new-york-mission-2026-ifl.