Dublin-based law firm Matheson has declared that workplace diversity is one of its strategic business priorities.

Liz Grace, partner in the asset management and investment funds group at Matheson, told an International Women’s Day event hosted by Northern Trust that there has been “a significant increase in the number of female leaders within our business”.

Half of Matheson’s new partner appointments over the past three years, and more than 30 per cent of the firm’s partners, are women.

Ms Grace told the event in Matheson’s Dublin office that there has been an increase over the past year in the number of associations and support networks for women, not only in Ireland but around the world.

She said: “The International Women’s Day initiative is no longer a one day event, and associations such as the 30% Club and WMBnow represent exceptionally strong networks which articulate a compelling business case for change.”

Professor Michael Doherty, head of Maynooth University Law School, said Ms Grace – who also founded and teaches the Investment Funds Law Programme at Maynooth University – sets an important example for women studying law.

Professor Doherty said: “At university level there are more and more female undergraduates choosing to study law, and it is really important for these female students to be able to see examples of success such as Liz Grace, who has reached the very top of her profession. It is a huge boost for female students to see this.”

The event also heard from Matheson partner Tara Doyle, head of the asset management and investment funds practice.

Matheson is the only Irish law firm with a female head of investment funds practice in Ireland, with the team acting as legal advisers to a 28 per cent market share of Irish domiciled investment funds.

In her address, Ms Doyle said: “I am determined to empower the women I work with to make individual choices; to support their career success; and for Matheson to attract the best future business leaders.”