Ireland > EU and competition
Index of tables
EU and competition
Leading individuals
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- Philip Andrews – McCann FitzGerald
- Helen Kelly – Matheson
- John Meade – Arthur Cox
- Vincent Power – A&L Goodbody
A&L Goodbody’s Vincent Power has ‘unparalleled knowledge’, and ‘an easygoing and entertaining manner which belies his work rate’. Alan McCarthy and Anna-Marie Curran are also highly regarded. The firm advised Ireland’s Referendum Commission on the landmark Fiscal Stability Treaty referendum and a related legal challenge brought by Sinn Féin.
Arthur Cox provides excellent, client-focused service, and is defending domestic building giant CRH and subsidiary Roadstone Wood in the High Court against allegations of predatory pricing and collusion in tenders. Practice head John Meade, who is ‘the best in his field’, has ‘good insight and relations with the Irish Competition Authority’. Pat O’Brien and Fiona McKeever are also recommended.
Matheson is representing RTÉ in an abuse of dominant position investigation, and acted for mobile operator 3 Ireland (part of Hutchinson Whampoa) on competition issues pertaining to its unsuccessful bid for eircom. Helen Kelly and Bonnie Costelloe are ‘very bright, practical, hardworking lawyers with an excellent knowledge of competition law’.
McCann FitzGerald’s Philip Andrews is ‘a delight to work with’ and has ‘great knowledge and a practical approach’, and Brussels-based Damian Collins is an excellent resource and ‘very pragmatic and knowledgeable about EU processes’. The firm is advising Vodafone Ireland on competition and state aid issues pertaining to its joint venture with 3 Ireland, and advising main commercial broadcaster TV3 on its competition complaint against RTÉ.
William Fry provides ‘top-quality service’, and is representing Aughinish Alumina in two challenges before the European Court of Justice regarding state aid issues, and defending sports brand Asics against an abuse of dominant position claim in the High Court. Cormac Little ‘consistently gives precise and business-savvy advice’, and Claire Waterson has a growing reputation. However, the widely respected John Handoll left the firm and the Dublin market in 2012.
Mason Hayes & Curran has the competition expertise necessary to act on senior deals, such as SSE’s €488m acquisition of Endesa Ireland, and regularly advises the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). Niall Collins has ‘strong knowledge and a practical approach’, and Tony Burke heads the practice. John Kettle left the firm.
Philip Lee ‘pitches its advice in a broader political context’, and acts for the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) on state aid issues. Managing partner Philip Lee is ‘very hands on’, ‘decisive’ and ‘commercial’. David Hourihane joined from ByrneWallace.
ByrneWallace advised Exxon Mobil (Esso Ireland) on various matters including a competition authority market investigation. Fergal Brennan now heads the practice, following David Hourihane’s move to Philip Lee.
Dillon Eustace advises on merger clearance, state aid and complaints to the Irish and EU authorities, and represented Aviva Health in a competition dispute with the Voluntary Health Insurance Board. Tom Carney is the key contact.
Eugene F. Collins advises new client Knock Airport on competition and state aid issues, and is instructed by the European Commission’s legal services in Irish litigation concerning crisis cartels. Practice head Joanne Finn was promoted to the partnership.
Eversheds advises on state aid, dawn raids and complaints to the Irish and European competition authorities, and its clients range from well-known international companies to Irish public bodies. Sean Ryan heads the practice.
Hayes Solicitors has ‘a team of people for all levels of queries’. David Phelan’s clients include Primark and the Irish Motor Industry, and, on the contentious front, Joe O’Malley is representing the liquidator of Cork Medical Centre in an abuse of dominant position case before the Supreme Court.
Marco Hickey at LK Shields Solicitors has ‘one of the acutest competition minds in Dublin’. Clients include Chevron, Island Capital and Valero Energy (Ireland).