The Legal 500

Within Construction, tier 4

Philip Lee has a longstanding reputation in this area, with managing partner Philip Lee having taken the lead on a number of significant construction projects over the years. The practice is currently advising on construction law aspects of some major national projects.

Within Corporate and commercial, tier 4

Philip Lee continues to gain market share under the leadership of Andreas McConnell and Jonathan Kelly, and acted for Corrib Oil on the restructuring of its supply arrangements to Topaz Energy.

Within Dispute resolution, tier 4

Patrick Walshe is cultivating a disputes practice at Philip Lee, expanding beyond the firm’s traditional core sectors of construction, energy and media. Clients include Tesco and Ryanair.

Within EU and competition, Philip Lee is a second tier 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.

Within Energy and natural resources, Philip Lee is a second tier firm,

Philip Lee’s clients include Mainstream, which it is advising on consenting strategy for the Energy Bridge, a rival project to Greenwire. The firm augmented its practice by recruiting green energy partner David Hourihane from ByrneWallace. Energy expert Philip Lee is ‘unique as regards energy-related EU law’.

Within Intellectual property, Philip Lee is a third tier firm,

Litigator Anne Bateman at Philip Lee advises on IP-related corporate support and disputes. Clients include pharmaceuticals multinationals and other international companies.

Within Media and telecoms, Philip Lee is a third tier firm,

Philip Lee has niche expertise in media and entertainment law and acts for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, the Irish Film Board and a raft of television and film production companies. Telecoms work includes advising Ryanair on its telecoms contracts with BT. Jonathan Kelly heads the practice.

Within Planning and environment, Philip Lee is a first tier firm,

Philip Lee is consistently recommended in this field. Representative work includes acting for the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government on an in-depth review of recycling schemes in Ireland, and advising Mainstream Renewable Power on the planning and environmental impact of its Energy Bridge project. Alice Whittaker is ‘top class’, and provides ‘an excellent service through clear communication and super response times’.

Within Projects and PPP, Philip Lee is a first tier firm,

Philip Lee is advising successful tenderer BAM PPP on the Schools Bundle Three PPP, and representing the BAM-Balfour Beatty consortium on the N11 Arklow-Rathnew motorway PPP, both of which are approaching financial close. Jonathan Kelly heads this experienced team.

Within Public sector, Philip Lee is a second tier firm,

Philip Lee’s clients include the Department of Environment, the Data Protection Commissioner, the Irish Sports Council, Irish Pensions Board, and numerous county councils. Alice Whittaker heads the practice, for which public procurement is a key area of expertise.

Within Tax, Philip Lee is a third tier firm,

Philip Lee joins the ranking following the recruitment of new head of tax Gavin McGuire, who joined from Eversheds. The practice’s work includes tax planning, corporate support and litigation on behalf of companies and high-net-worth individuals.