The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, ByrneWallace is a third tier firm,

Finance and corporate lawyer Eileen Prendergast heads ByrneWallace’s five-partner team, which also includes former managing partner Paul McGennis and the ‘efficient and professional’ Lisa Cawley. The firm is handling a significant number of restructuring and refinancing matters for NAMA, and is advising ACC Bank on numerous lending transactions in the buoyant food and agriculture sectors.

Within Capital markets, ByrneWallace is a third tier firm,

ByrneWallace has capital markets capability within its corporate team. Colin Sainsbury advised Merrion Pharmaceuticals, which is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange’s Enterprise Securities Market, on a proposed open offer to shareholders and subsequent debt restructuring. Enda Newton joined the National Treasury Management Agency.

Within Construction, tier 5

ByrneWallace’s practice is now led by associate Louise Forrest following Mary Dunne’s move to Maples and Calder. Forrest has ‘the ability to see and demonstrate the practical sides of debates and issues’. The team acted for MDY Construction in arbitration and High Court proceedings concerning the pyrite contamination of building materials.

Within Corporate and commercial, ByrneWallace is a third tier firm,

ByrneWallace acted for Azur Pharm on its merger with US life sciences company Jazz Pharmaceuticals, which was a noteworthy foreign direct investment (FDI) deal for Ireland, and has represented private equity fund Broadlake Capital on several transactions recently. Feargal Brennan heads the seven-partner practice, which includes Dennis Agnew, who shows ‘excellent commercial understanding’.

Within Dispute resolution, ByrneWallace is a third tier firm,

Gary Byrne at ByrneWallace led representation of developer Phillip Lynch during his claim against AIB, Matheson and LK Shields Solicitors, including an appeal to the Supreme Court. Practice head Jon Legorburu is advising a group of investors claiming $180m in the Madoff/Thema litigation. Associate Mona Costelloe is ‘particularly impressive’.

Within EU and competition, ByrneWallace is a third tier firm,

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.

Within Employment, ByrneWallace is a first tier firm,

ByrneWallace’s ‘formidable team’ is ‘extremely responsive, commercially clued-in and technically outstanding in all respects’. It acted for the Irish Red Cross in a whistleblowing case. Employment expert Michael Kennedy heads the practice, which also includes the ‘superb’ Elaine Kelly and renowned employment lawyer Gary Byrne.

Within Energy and natural resources, tier 4

ByrneWallace’s green economy group acted for biomass CHP company Imperative Energy on financing, project development and regulatory matters. Corporate partner Feargal Brennan has assumed responsibility for the practice since David Hourihane joined Philip Lee.

Within Information technology, ByrneWallace is a third tier firm,

ByrneWallace’s clients include technology companies such as MJ Flood Technologies and Opsource Inc, as well as corporate users including Lidl, Dunnes Stores and Ireland’s state tourism board, Faílte Ireland. It advises the latter on privacy, database rights and data protection. Darren Daly is ‘thorough, practical and very approachable’.

Within Insolvency and corporate restructuring, ByrneWallace is a third tier firm,

ByrneWallace’s Gavin Smith and John Fitzgerald are recommended for their energy, responsiveness and good-quality service. The firm advised a first lien secured creditor during the eircom restructuring.

Within Insurance, tier 4

Litigation partner Gerard Butler heads ByrneWallace’s contentious-oriented insurance practice, which acts for Dublin Airport Authority on personal injury liability cases, including a recent €125,000 claim in the High Court. Other clients include Chartis and ARB Underwriting.

Within Intellectual property, ByrneWallace is a third tier firm,

ByrneWallace’s Jon Legorburu has noteworthy expertise in contentious IP and is leading advice to supermarket chain Lidl on its brand protection strategies. Other clients include the Olympic Council of Ireland and Tourism Ireland.

Within Media and telecoms, tier 5

ByrneWallace acts for TV3 on matters such as copyright and performance rights, and advised mobile phone security provider AdaptiveMobile on obtaining injunctions to secure software vital to its business. Darren Daly heads the practice.

Within Pensions and employee benefits, ByrneWallace is a third tier firm,

ByrneWallace is ‘good at knowing exactly what a client wants and giving insightful opinions’. Gary Byrne is representing trade union Unite in the ECJ concerning the Waterford Crystal pension schemes following the company’s insolvency.

Within Planning and environment, tier 4

ByrneWallace large property department, which is led by experienced real estate partner Michael Walsh, is also able to advise on planning and environmental issues.

Within Public sector, ByrneWallace is a first tier firm,

ByrneWallace divides its extensive public sector workload into two key divisions: health services, led by Sinead Kearney; and employment and administrative law, led by Michael Kennedy, who ‘knows the players, gives sound, practical advice and achieves results’. Clients include the HSE, the Department for Health and Children, county councils, and partially state-owned energy companies.

Within Real estate, ByrneWallace is a second tier firm,

ByrneWallace’s seven-partner practice is one of the largest in the market. Michael Walsh has taken over as head of property from new managing partner Catherine Guy, and led advice to the receiver in the sale of a parade of retail shops and a supermarket to Musgrave Group.

Within Tax, ByrneWallace is a third tier firm,

ByrneWallace’s Ursula Tipp has ‘rare international expertise and perspective which is difficult to find’, and gives advice which is ‘second to none’. Clients range from overseas companies to high-net-worth individuals.