The Legal 500

A&L Goodbody’s ‘first-class’ practice dispenses ‘practical, commercial advice’. This dedicated three-partner team is headed by Vincent Power, who is applauded for his analytical ability and ‘strong understanding of commercial imperatives’. The team represented Bank of Ireland and EBS Building Society before the European Commission regarding their respective restructuring plans. Anna-Marie Curran is also recommended.

Arthur Cox has a plum role as lead legal adviser to the Irish government, and it advised NAMA on various merger control and competition aspects of the nationalisation and recapitalisation of Anglo Irish Bank and that of Bank of Ireland. The team has ‘an ethos wherein its people make it their business to understand business’. Pat O’Brien has ‘a good tactical brain’, and practice head John Meade is ‘a leader in his field’.

Matheson Ormsby Prentice’s top-end competition group advised Stena AB and Stena Line on the merger with DFDS, which was the subject of a Phase II investigation in Ireland. It also advised Calor Gas and Veolia Water Ireland. The ‘excellent’ Helen Kelly has broad experience, and heads the practice.

McCann FitzGerald saw a significant rise in merger filings, and acted for clients such as Diageo and Gilbeys. On the cartel side, the team is representing the Irish Music Rights Organisation in an appeal to the EU General Court. Philip Andrews is ‘probably the top competition lawyer in Dublin’, and the firm can leverage Brussels-based Damian Collins, who has ‘excellent inside knowledge of Brussels and the EU’.

John Handoll leads William Fry’s competition team, which some clients regard as ‘the best in Ireland’. The team is acting for group of international investors, led by Fairfax Financial Holdings, on the multi-jurisdictional merger control aspects of their €1.1bn investment in Bank of Ireland. Cormac Little is ‘business-friendly yet meticulous’.

Marco Hickey heads the practice at LK Shields Solicitors, and advised on competition aspects of Egis’ acquisition of NTR’s road operation and maintenance companies.

Mason Hayes & Curran advised an Irish barrister, Ciaran Toland, in a landmark case before the EU General Court that the team won. The practice, co-led by the highly recommended Tony Burke and London-based John Kettle, advised Liberty on its acquisition of Quinn Insurance.

Philip Lee’s ‘superior’ team advised Oliver Dixon Hedgecutting and Plant Hire in a criminal price-fixing conspiracy trial, which was the only competition enforcement case of its kind in 2011. Sarah Johnson heads the team, which also has a very strong public sector client base. Philip Lee is recommended.

ByrneWallace’s David Hourihane is fast becoming one of the leading names in competition law. He advises Imperative Energy on all competition and regulatory issues.

Dillon Eustace advised Aviva Health on the alleged anti-competitive behaviour of the Voluntary Health Insurance Board. Tom Carney is the key contact.

Eugene F. Collins advised Dellway Investments Limited & Ors in a constitutional and EU law challenge to NAMA, which was ultimately successful in the Irish Supreme Court. Joanne Finn leads the team.

Sean Ryan leads Eversheds’ practice, which advised the Irish Waste Management Association regarding a complaint under Irish and EU competition law.

David Phelan, who heads Hayes Solicitors’ dedicated team, advised Unilever on Irish merger clearance for its proposed merger with Alberto Culver.