Ireland > Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial
Corporate and commercial
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A&L Goodbody wins plaudits for ‘ knowing the issues’ and ‘understanding the competitive nature of the market place’. Clients also praise the firm’s distinguished bench of associates and extensive experience, saying ‘ there is excellent strength at all levels’. Sheena Doggett recently won the mandate to advise Scottish and Southern Energy on its €1.8bn acquisition of Airtricity – the largest M&A transaction in Ireland to date. In addition, Heineken, Allied Irish Banks and Irish Continental Group provided some significant instructions this year. Paul Carroll, John Given and Eithne FitzGerald are also leading names in this ‘ practical and focused team’.
The team at Arthur Cox‘ is of the highest calibre’ say clients who also praise its ability to ‘ cover all the bases’ and ‘ provide a competitive advantage’. Team head Colm Duggan is ‘ always prompt, knowledgeable and understandable’ and overseas a group that has ‘ strength in depth with the necessary industry acumen to provide a first-class service’. In a major highlight, the firm was awarded the mandate to advise the Irish Government on the landmark €500bn State Guarantee Scheme for the Irish banking system. Other representative clients include Aer Lingus, Diageo Ireland and Iberdrola. Pádraig O’Ríordáin is ‘ impressive ’ and Ciarán Bolger is a‘lawyer you want on your side ’.
Matheson Ormsby Prentice is ‘ dynamic and commercially focused’ and importantly ‘ ready availability and responsiveness is a constant feature of service’. Clients highlight Tim Scanlon as ‘ one of the most highly regarded corporate figures in the market’, while Patrick Spicer is also recommended. The departure of Edward Miller to Maples and Calder is a loss but the firm continues to pack a powerful punch. Amongst its most recent transactions the firm advised IAWS on its €2.5bn merger with Switzerland’s Hiestrand Holding to create ARYZTA.
McCann FitzGerald is ‘ innovative’ and ‘ commercially astute’ according to clients who praise group head David Lydon for ‘ providing solutions rather than indecipherable options’. Highlights include advising Perot System Investments on the acquisition of Original Solutions by share purchase and also advised Collins Stewart on the acquisition of International Securities Trading Corporation (ISTC). The firm is also standing counsel to Boston Scientific, C&C Group and Tyco International.
William Fry has an ‘ excellent core of experienced seniors and partners’ including ‘ superb negotiator’ Owen O’Connell, the ‘ very experienced’ Bryan Bourke and the ‘ outstanding’ Stephen Keogh. Corporate highlights over the past twelve months include advising Horizon Technology Group on its €101m sale to Avnet and acting for Emap on its €200m disposal to Communicorp Group. In 2008 the team also welcomed new partners Adam Synnott from Slaughter and May and Shane Kelleher from Amnesty International.
LK Shields Solicitors has a strong record in M&A matters. The firm advised Communicorp Group on its acquisition of Emap’s Irish radio assets and also acted for Rosderra Irish Meats Group, the vehicle used in the MBO of the meats division of Glanbia. Clients praise the team for being ‘ responsive to our needs’.
Mason Hayes+Curran provides an ‘ extremely professional service’ under the leadership of the ‘ efficient’ David O’Donnell. The firm advised the shareholders of Perlico Communications on its sale to Vodafone and also acted for Kerry Group on its acquisition of Breeo Foods. Paul Egan is also recommended.
BCM Hanby Wallace has a sterling record for corporate work within the life sciences sector due to the respect afforded to Colin Sainsbury, a former pharmaceutical in-house counsel, who is ‘ sought after for his in-depth industry knowledge and experience’. This ‘ very experienced team’ advised Hemcon Medical Technologies on the acquisition of Alltracel Pharmaceuticals and also advised Nektar Therapeutics on the MBO of Aerogen.
Dillon Eustace‘ represents good value for money, is straight talking and doesn’t waste your time’. The firm recently acted for fire protection company, Moyne Roberts (UK), on the purchase of Apex Fire. Other clients include Société Générale Asset Management Banque and Lease Corporation.
Under the leadership of David Hackett, Eugene F. Collins advised EWL Electric on the purchase of the entire issued share capital of Eastern Electrical and also acted for Stirling Energy Systems on a €100m investment by NTR.
Eversheds O’Donnell Sweeney continues to impress on the corporate side, and the addition of partner Abigail St. John Kennedy from Dillon Eustace should ensure the firm maintains its recent form. David O’Beirne’s team recently acted for Shared Access on a substantial acquisition. Morvest, Zamano and Macquarie Bank are also clients.
Maples and Calder bolstered its corporate offering in 2008 through the hire of Edward Miller from Matheson Ormsby Prentice. The team continues to grow in profile and clients say ‘ we switched to Maples when we saw the quality of team that was being built there following the arrival of Andrew Doyle’. The firm recently advised Alchemy Partners on its €90m acquisition of Noonan Services. Team head Jennifer Caldwell is commended as a ‘ safe pair of hands’.
Beauchamps Solicitors advised wave energy company, Wavebob, on its collaboration with Swedish utility company Vattenfall AB. The firm also provides ongoing advice to the Pepsi Bottling Group, Getty Images and Clarion Hotels.
Ivor Fitzpatrick & Company was recently dealt a blow with the departure of team head Andreas McConnell to Philip Lee. Recent transactions include advising a corporate venture on a €70m subscription agreement and related financing.
Lawyers at Landwell Solicitors are ‘ responsive’ and advise on the full spectrum of MBOs, M&A, IPOs and joint ventures. Edward Evans is highly active.
Ronan Daly Jermyn has a strong domestic practice that acts for leading Irish companies such as Health System (the largest private healthcare provider), Musgrave Group and Kerry Group. Clients appreciate the firm’s ‘ user-friendly’ approach.
At WhitneyMoore, Thérèse Rochford is recommended for being ‘ knowledgeable, experienced and effective’. The firm has experience across the full range of corporate matters and recent highlights include advising AVR Safeway on its sale to Veolia.
DFMG Solicitors is particularly active in the property sector on the corporate side. Brendan O’Donovan is recommended.
McEvoy Partners recently advised on the €30m sale of Suir Engineering. Name partner Bernard McEvoy is a highly regarded figure in the market for corporate work.
O’Flynn Exhams is particularly well known for its work within the energy sector. Frank O’Flynn and Fiona O’Connell recently advised Centrica on its proposed acquisition of Marathon Oil Corporation’s stake in the Corrib Gas Field. The firm is praised for being ‘ partner led’ and ‘ seeped in industry knowledge’.
Reddy Charlton McKnight acted for the GAA on the drafting and negotiation of the sponsorship agreements for the sports organisation’s new multi-party sponsorship model. Paul Keane heads the team.
Brian O’Donnell & Partners is the Irish arm of US firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.. The firm is praised for giving advice that is ‘ business practical rather than typically conservative’ and corporate clients include Kimball International.
Doherty Ryan & Associates boasts a niche strength in compliance matters but also advises on M&A transactions and MBO financings. The firm recently handled the €20m reorganisation of an Irish corporate group.
David Phelan’s team at Hayes Solicitors provides ongoing advice to Primark on its corporate and commercial matters. It also recently acted for a car dealership on the sale of its business.
Holmes O’Malley Sexton has experience in M&A, commercial contractions and MBOs.
Lavelle Coleman has a strong foreign direct investment practice that specialises in advising high-profile corporations on their establishment in Ireland.
At Gore & Grimes Anthony Gore-Grimes is recommended for advice relating to M&A, joint ventures and e-commerce.
KLW is highly regarded due to the reputation of corporate specialist John Kehoe who is lauded as ‘ very experienced’ and a ‘ smart operator’.
Kilroys is known for its links with national importers of motor vehicles into Ireland and specialises in distribution agreements, franchising and related issues. Joanne Griffin is active in the field.
Press releases
Legal Developments in Ireland
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New Rules for Acquiring Transactions in the Financial Sector
In line with EU-mandated requirements, Ireland has introduced new rules governing acquisitions, in whole or in part, of certain regulated financial institutions. -
Looking East: Irish Investors in a Changing China
There appears to be no end to the hyperbole surrounding the emergence of China as an economic powerhouse. Everywhere one looks there are references to the Chinese miracle; the most protracted and significant period of economic growth ever witnessed. China, we are told, is the next superpower, the ‘Big Tiger’, the ‘Awakening Dragon’. For western investors, it is said to represent the ‘not to be missed opportunity of a lifetime’. -
Irish Merger Control: Review of Key Developments in 2008
A 47% Year-on-Year Drop in the Number of Deals Notified: Reflecting the global decline in merger activity, the number of deals notified to the Competition Authority fell to 38 in 2008, a 47% decrease from 2007, when 72 deals were notified, and a more than 60% decrease from the 2006 peak of 98 notified deals. -
European Communities (Takeover Bids (Directive 2004/25/EC)) Regulations 2006
The EU Takeovers Directive (2004/25/EC) (the “Takeovers Directive”) has been transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Takeover Bids (Directive 2004/25/EC)) Regulations, 2006 (S. I. No. 255 of 2006) (the “Takeovers Regulations”). The stated aim of the Takeovers Directive is to strengthen the Single Market in financial services by facilitating cross-border restructuring and enhancing minority shareholder protection. Many of the provisions of the Directive are already contained in the existing Irish regime for the supervision of takeovers set out in the Irish Takeover Panel Act, 1997 (the “Act”), the Takeover Rules, 2001 (the “Rules”) and the Companies Acts 1963 – 2005, which will continue to apply. The Takeovers Regulations cater for those areas not already dealt with in the existing regime or areas of the regime that needed to be adjusted as a result of the requirements of the Takeovers Directive. -
Establishing a Retail Fund in Ireland for sale in Japan Fund Structures and Features
The issuing of securities of offshore funds for public sale into Japan is governed by a combination of the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan (the "SEL") which is enforced by the Japanese Ministry of Finance ("MOF"), the Law Concerning Investment Trust and Investment Company of Japan (the "Investment Funds Law") which is enforced by the Financial Services Agency of Japan ("FSA").Establishing a Retail Fund in Ireland for sale in Japan Fund Structures and Features -
Equality before the Law
Employment Equality legislation in Ireland is to be found in the Employment Equality Act 1998 as amended by the Equality Act 2004. This legislation is extremely detailed but in effect makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate against a person on the basis of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, and membership of the traveller community. These are referred to as the “discriminatory grounds”. -
Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Ireland
The enforcement of judgments between the EU member states is regulated by the Brussels I Regulation (44/2001, OJL 12/1, 16 January 2001) (“the Regulation”). On the 22nd December 2000, the European Council agreed the Regulation to replace the Brussels Convention on Jurisdiction and Enforcement of Judgments 1968 (“the Brussels Convention”). The purpose of the Regulation was to bring the law contained in the Brussels Convention into the main body of EC Law. The Regulation was implemented in Ireland by Statutory Instrument 52 of 2002, European Communities (Civil and Commercial Judgments) Regulations 2002, which came into force on the 1st March 2002. -
E-Discovery
Unlike the United States, which is leading the way in relation to e-discovery and where the disclosure of electronic data has become standard procedure, as of yet there is no standard protocol or practice direction issued in relation to e-discovery in Ireland. Despite this fact, Irish lawyers are beginning to appreciate the invaluable nature of electronic data which can be retrieved and used in commercial litigation. -
Disclosure Requirements with respect to Company Particulars
Directive 2003/58/EC amending Directive 68/151/EEC (the “First Disclosure Directive”) became effective on 1st April, 2007 having been transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Companies) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 49 of 2007) (the “Regulations”). -
The Implications of Substance over Form and the Re- Characterisation of a Floating Charge
The purpose of this Article is to consider the implications of the recent English case of The Russell Cooke Trust Company Limited and Elliott1. Following this case, insolvency practitioners, preferential creditors, and third parties dealing with a company in the belief that its assets are subject to a floating charge (rather than a fixed charge) will need to examine the substance of the charge before dealing with those assets.
Press releases
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Agrofert Successful in Law Suit against PKN Orlen
PRAGUE (30 June 2009) – The Arbitration court in Prague has decided in favour of company Agrofert Holding (“Agrofert”) in its claim against Polish company Polski Koncern Naftowy Orlen (“PKN Orlen”). The Polish company has to pay, on the basis of decision of the arbiters, a contractual penalty which exceeds EUR 77.2 million (over 2 billion CZK) with accessories. -
UBS CHF 3.8bn share placement
On June 25, 2009, UBS AG (SIX: UBSN) announced that it is offering 293,258,050 newly issued shares from authorized capital to a small number of institutional investors at a price of CHF 13.00 per share. After deducting cast associated with the placement, the amount of new equity capital expected to be raised is approximately CHF 3.8 billion. -
DWS reprises advisory role for MENA Infrastructure fund's investment in Oman's power sector
Denton Wilde Sapte continues to act as legal advisor for MENA Infrastructure Fund, picking up an instruction to advise on its second investment, in which it has taken 32.8% of the shareholding in Oman's United Power Company SAOG (UPC). -
Three partner admissions at Carey Olsen in Jersey
Carey Olsen is strengthening its corporate, finance and fiduciary teams in Jersey by admitting three partners to these key practice areas. -
Penningtons celebrates SRA and Farriers Registration Council tender wins
Penningtons Solicitors LLP's professional regulation group is celebrating two key appointments with the news that it has been successful in tenders to advise both the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and The Farriers Registration Council. -
Penningtons advises on Trans-Siberian Express luxury travel deal
Penningtons Solicitors LLP has advised international tour operator Australian Pacific Touring (UK) Limited on its purchase of a majority share in GW Travel Limited, the market-leader in long-distance luxury rail tours. GW Travel's flagship holidays are trips on the world-famous Trans-Siberian Express. -
Penningtons trainee encourages young Londoners to choose a career in law
Catherine McCann, a trainee solicitor at Penningtons Solicitors LLP's City office, has been invited to contribute to a new guide published by the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry to help young people consider the many types of jobs available in the capital. -
BAKER & MCKENZIE ADVISES FIBERWEB ON JOINT VENTURE WITH PETROPAR
London/Chicago/Sao Paolo, 26 June 2009 - Baker & McKenzie has advised Fiberweb plc on its proposed joint venture with Petropar S.A. The 50/50 joint venture, which will be named FitesaFiberweb, is intended to create the second largest producer of spunbond and non woven fabrics in North and South America. Completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of both Fiberweb and Petropar shareholders. -
Salans awarded Best European Law Firm
Salans has been awarded a Special Distinction in the Best European Law Firm award category at the 2009 International Legal Alliance Summit & Awards (“ILASA”). -
unit specialising in transaction and financing consultancy
HERMANN Rechtsanwälte Wirtschaftsprüfer Steuerberater and the Munich-based team at Grub Brugger join forces: Joint establishment of a unit specialising in transaction and financing consultancy