International law firm Maples and Calder has appointed Petrina Smyth in Dublin as head of tax.

Smyth (pictured) is a seasoned professional experienced in negotiating tax aspects of financial services matters, mergers and acquisitions and inward investment.

Nollaig Murphy, head of the finance group in the Dublin office, says: "We are pleased to welcome Petrina to the firm and look forward to working with her. Petrina’s appointment is a significant addition to our Dublin team as we continue to achieve our objective of building an experienced group of high calibre lawyers offering best-in-class legal advice for our clients. The expertise and experience that Petrina brings will facilitate our continued advancement.”

Maples has recruited a number of senior lawyers from Irish firms in the past year, including the partner appointments in 2008 of Edward Miller, Barry McGrath and Nollaig Murphy to head the corporate, funds and finance groups respectively.

Smyth joins Maples from a large Irish corporate law firm. Previously, she spent a number of years in London working in the tax department of international law firm Linklaters.