The Legal 500

A&L Goodbody’s broad-based practice covers contentious and non-contentious issues from procurement to arbitration. The team is praised for understanding ‘the peculiarities of the market’, and Eamonn Conlon is ‘second to none’, with his advice applauded as ‘clear, concise and timely’. While the contentious side has been booming, the team is also advising Railway Procurement Agency on the Metro North PPP and the Department of Finance on the implementation of new public works contracts.

McCann FitzGerald’s team is widely acknowledged as having ‘true strength in depth’. Kevin Kelly is applauded for his ‘excellent level of service’ and ‘impressive knowledge of national and international case law’. With non-contentious work falling back, disputes have seen a significant increase, and the firm is advising a number of parties in relation to the high-profile pyrite case. Notable clients include BGE and Dublin Airport Authority. Barrett Chapman comes recommended.

Arthur Cox provides advice that is ‘concise, clear and very helpful indeed’, and is praised for ‘consistently going the extra mile’. Team head Niav O’Higgins has a ‘responsive, authoritative and proactive’ style. The firm advised White Cedar in relation to the Oranmore Shopping Centre, one of the few new retail developments in Ireland, and also Covanta Energy on the procurement and drafting elements for the Dublin Waste to Energy PPP.

Niche firm Hussey Fraser has a top-quality practice that delivers ‘unmatched excellence’ in all areas of construction law. Name partners Malcolm Fraser and Anthony Hussey are regularly cited by peers as being leaders in their field. The firm does not act for local authorities or government agencies, paving the way for a contractor and sub-contractor only client base.

Matheson Ormsby Prentice’s strong contentious offering has served it well; among other work it continues to advise Park Developments on its claim against LM Developments in the pyrite case. Damien Keogh has an ‘infinite knowledge’ of the law and Nicola Dunleavy is cited for her ‘professionalism, strength and confidence of advice’. Notable non-contentious clients include Google and Microsoft.

Philip Lee’s non-contentious practice was boosted by the arrival of Richard Stowe from Matheson Ormsby Prentice in late 2009. The firm’s high profile in the public sector has led it to appear on some of the largest infrastructure projects in Ireland, including the M50 Upgrade, the Dublin Waste to Energy PPP, and the Dublin Port Tunnel. Managing partner Philip Lee comes highly recommended.

William Fry provides an ‘excellent service’ that is ‘delivered in a timely manner’ and works ‘to the highest standard’. Jarleth Heneghan is singled out for his ‘excellent ability’ and ‘knowledge base’, and Liam McCabe is also recommended. The team advised Chartered Land on The Grand Canal Theatre and two new offices in Dublin 2. Other notable clients include Tesco Ireland and Wolseley.

Headed up by the well-respected Fiona O’Neill, ByrneWallace’s team is heavily involved advising Menolly Homes in Ireland’s largest Commercial Court case, involving the building material pyrite. ACC Bank is among its non-contentious clients.

The arrival of Dudley Solan from A&L Goodbody in late 2009 as head of commercial disputes has very quickly put the Maples and Calder team on the map. The addition on the contentious side has translated into large Commercial Court hearings that include advising John Sisk & Son in a €3.5m claim.

Beauchamps Solicitors’ Bruno Herbots is applauded as ‘offering insights that would not be obvious to clients’. The firm counts Dublin City Council and National Roads Authority among its key clients.

Mark Varian’s team at Eversheds O’Donnell Sweeney boasts an impressive non-contentious offering despite the prevailing conditions. It advised PJ Wallis on the development of €100m bio-science centre at Trinity College.

Mason Hayes+Curran, headed up by the ‘responsive’ Rory Kirrane, has a solid contentious and non-contentious offering. Highlights included representing P. J. Hegarty & Sons on a successfully settled €4m conciliation claim, and advising Rhatigan Commercial Developments on a €600m construction and development project.

Joe O’Meara’s team at Holmes O’Malley Sexton has a ‘response time and delivery that are a source of comfort’. It advised a third-level education provider in relation to an ongoing library project.

LK Shields Solicitors represents a broad range of semi-state and state controlled companies. Eoin Cunneen has regularly been involved in the Commercial Court, including representing Andrew Mannion Structural Engineering on its claim against Michael McNamara & Co. The firm also acted for Merrion Healthcare on non-contentious matters.

Ronan Daly Jermyn provides a ‘first-class’ service across a wide range of areas. Led by Finola McCarthy, it acts for private and public sector clients, and is ‘competent, efficient and very attentive’.

WhitneyMoore has a number of contractors and public bodies on its books for both contentious and non-contentious matters. Michael Doran and Michael Carney both come recommended.