The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Eugene F. Collins is a second tier firm,

Eugene F. Collins has an ‘industry knowledge and depth of experience one would associate with a top-tier firm’, and team head Laura MacDermott ‘combines a deep-thinking appreciation of law with robust commercial experience’. Highlights included acting for JD Sports on the acquisition of debt and equity in the Champion Sports Group as well as advising clients such as the Kepak Group and Ulster Bank on new facilities.

Within Capital markets, Eugene F. Collins is a third tier firm,

The very well-respected Eileen Grace leads the team at Eugene F. Collins, which advised Anglo Irish Bank on its liability management exercise that covered 11 series of securities totalling €2bn in value.

Within Corporate and commercial, Eugene F. Collins is a third tier firm,

Eugene F. Collins has strength in depth and gives ‘expert legal advice’. David Hackett heads the team, which provided Irish law advice to Tim Hortons on the C$475m sale of its 50% shareholding in CillRyan’s Bakery. Gerard Coll is recommended.

Within Dispute resolution, Eugene F. Collins is a second tier firm,

Eugene F. Collins continues to represent Patrick McKillen and others in the ongoing judicial review proceedings against NAMA. Terry Leggett is also defending Bloxham Stockbrokers against various investor claims. The highly respected Ronan O’Neill leads the team.

Within EU and competition , Eugene F. Collins is a third tier firm,

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.

Within Employment, tier 4

Eugene F. Collins advised Vodafone Ireland on a number of employment matters including representing the client in a High Court case concerning restrictive covenants. Maura Connolly leads the team.

Within Insolvency and corporate restructuring, Eugene F. Collins is a second tier firm,

Eugene F. Collins was retained by Nortel Networks to provide Irish counsel on corporate restructuring and insolvency issues. Pierse Contracting is also a client. Doug Smith is one of Ireland’s leading practitioners.

Within Insurance, Eugene F. Collins is a third tier firm,

Eugene F. Collins has a broad contentious and non-contentious practice that has been busy acting for James and Richard Cotter on their purchase of Growth Investments Limited from the Royal Liver Group. Garrett Miller heads the team.

Within Intellectual property, Eugene F. Collins is a second tier firm,

Eugene F. Collins has a strong showing in all three areas but particularly in technology and telecoms. It handles all Johnson & Johnson’s trade mark filing and prosecution work in Ireland and also provides wide-ranging advice to Truvo Ireland. David Hackett is ‘particularly good’.

Within Pensions and employee benefits, Eugene F. Collins is a second tier firm,

Eugene F. Collins’ practice head Maura Connolly advised Modus Link on a range of issues including transfer of undertaking issues and threats of litigation.

Within Planning and environment, tier 4

Margaret Austin is the key lawyer at Eugene F. Collins, which advised Coillte on the new Planning and Development Act and implications for its forestry activities.

Within Projects, energy and natural resources , tier 4

Eugene F. Collins continues to grow its reputation in the energy space under the highly rated Margaret Austin. The team has been advising Barnmore Demolition and Civil Engineering on public sector procurement processes.

Within Public sector, Eugene F. Collins is a third tier firm,

Eugene F. Collins represents Coillte Teoranta, the European Commission, and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland. Margaret Austin leads the team.

Within Real estate, Eugene F. Collins is a third tier firm,

Eugene F. Collins represents a number of retailers including Inditex Group, which it advises on certain of its Irish operations. The team advised Treasury Holdings on the disposal of the Montevetro Building via NAMA. Mark Walsh heads the team.

Within TMT , Eugene F. Collins is a third tier firm,

Eugene F. Collins provides ongoing advice to Vodafone Ireland on a range of technology issues. On the media side, the team successfully defended William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and Associated Newspapers when claims were brought against them. David Hackett and Andrea Martin are recommended.