Ireland Teams 2016 – Page 2 – GC Powerlist
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Ireland Teams 2016

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Actavo

| Actavo

Actavo is a leading international strategic operations company that services a range of industries with network, engineering and building solutions. The company was sold by the IBRC to Denis O’Brien in...

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Aer Lingus

| Aer Lingus

The legal team at Ireland’s flag carrier airline Aer Lingus is staffed with extremely experienced in-house counsel to guide the second largest airline in Ireland through the complex regulatory environment...

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AerCap

| AerCap

Overseeing a portfolio of approximately 1,700 owned, managed or on order aircraft, Dublin headquartered leasing company AerCap cemented their position as global leaders in the field after completing their acquisition...

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AIB

| AIB

Despite turbulent times for the Irish financial sector in the recent past, AIB’s group legal function are able to cite tangible successes in the form of the bank’s results and...

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Aircastle

| Aircastle

Leading the European legal department at aircraft leasing specialists Aircastle, Sarah Clarkin, senior vice president – legal, explains how her team are at the very forefront of the company’s business:...

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Airsynergy

| Airsynergy

Airsynergy, a renewable energy product development and licensing company, has a compact legal team of two solicitors and one legal executive, overseeing a wide remit including regulatory changes, intellectual property...

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Allsop Ireland

| Allsop Ireland

Allsop is an independent property consultancy that has offices in the UK and Ireland, and is currently Ireland’s leading auction house selling through commercial, residential and “online only” auctions. Following...

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An Post

| An Post

An Post is the state-owned provider of postal services in Ireland, offering a universal postal service to the whole country. As such, it faces challenges not typically encountered by private...

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AvantCard

| AvantCard

Based in Carrick-on-Shannon, AvantCard are a leading Irish credit card company licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland. The legal team is led by Fergus McTiernan, director of compliance, risk...

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Avolon

| Avolon

Founded in 2010, Avolon has grown into a leading global aircraft leasing firm. Headed by general counsel Ed Riley, the Avolon legal team consists of 11 lawyers, one personal assistant...

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AWAS

| AWAS

In contrast to simply providing legal counsel to the company, the legal team at leading commercial aircraft leasing company AWAS are focussed on supporting their commercial “deal teams” worldwide, in...

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AXA Life Invest

| AXA Life Invest

AXA Life Invest is a provider of savings, investment and pension products and services to banking and financial partners in markets outside the USA. Alan Boland, in his position as...

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Bank of Ireland

| Bank of Ireland

Financials

One of Ireland’s traditional “Big Four” banking institutions, Bank of Ireland has a history going back to the 18th century, making it the oldest bank still operating in the country....

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BNP Paribas Ireland

| BNP Paribas Ireland

BNP Paribas, a French multinational financial services company, has been active in Ireland since the early 1970s. In line with the global entity, the Irish arm offer the varied activities...

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Bord Gáis Energy

| Bord Gáis Energy

Representing one of the leading energy suppliers in Ireland, Bord Gáis Energy’s legal team is heavily involved in all material decision making for the company, providing innovative suggestions that allow...

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Bord na Móna

| Bord na Móna

Irish semi-state owned company Bord na Móna are traditionally known for their harvesting of peat, primarily in the Midlands of Ireland. However in recent years there has been a change...

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BT Ireland

| BT Ireland

Being ‘heavily involved’ with each element of the business and having input into ‘all key decisions that the business makes, whether it is strategic, customer or employee related’, the BT...

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C&C Group

| C&C Group

One of the most historic and well-known alcoholic drinks manufacturers in Ireland, C&C Group’s brand portfolio includes the famous Bulmers, Gaymers and Magners brands which are sold internationally as well...

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CarTrawler

| CarTrawler

Based at the corporate headquarters in Dublin and lead by general counsel Margaret Kearney, the CarTrawler legal function provide a cross-functional body of work crucial to continued company success. Operating...

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Central Bank of Ireland

| Central Bank of Ireland

Financials

The Central Bank of Ireland is the country’s financial services regulator, and is part of the European System of Central Banks. Eadaoin Rock, general counsel, leads a team of 28...

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Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg)

| Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg)

The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) are the regulator for Irish internet, television, radio and all other sectors in the telecommunications field. General counsel Caroline Dee-Brown leads 10 staff in...

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Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

| Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Established in 2014, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is a unique organisation dedicated to achieving the best results possible for consumers in Ireland by virtue of its work on...

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CRH Ireland

| CRH Ireland

With a secondary listing on the Irish Stock Exchange, Dublin-headquartered global building materials company CRH ranks as the largest listed company in Ireland. Given the nature of its operations, the...

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DAA

| DAA

The legal and regulatory department at DAA, which was formerly known as the Dublin Airport Authority, is led by Patricia O’Shea in her role as group head of legal and...

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Dairygold Co-Operative Society

| Dairygold Co-Operative Society

Sinead Gillen is in charge of a compact team focussed on managing the legal risk of Irish co-operative society Dairygold, Ireland’s largest farmer-owned dairy business, which processes approximately 960 million...

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Danske Bank

| Danske Bank

Financials

Danske Bank has undertaken numerous significant transactions in the last few years, and the legal team serving the Irish subsidiary of the Copenhagen headquartered bank has undergone changes in line...

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Davy Group

| Davy Group

The Davy Group is a financial services umbrella company for Ireland’s leading provider of stockbroking, wealth management and financial advisory services. The group is divided into asset management, capital markets,...

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DCC

| DCC

Dublin-based support services firm DCC has a number of different operations that span four different divisions; DCC Energy, DCC Technology, DCC Healthcare and DCC Environment which combined to contribute to...

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Dell Financial Services

| Dell Financial Services

In 2013 Dell Financial Services (DFS) gained a banking licencse from the Central Bank of Ireland, allowing it to offer services and loans to customers in software and services financing....

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Department of Finance

| Department of Finance

Serving a crucial function in the structure of the Irish state, the Department of Finance (DoF) is responsible for the administration of public finances in the Republic of Ireland, most...

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Dunnes Stores

| Dunnes Stores

Flagship Irish retail group Dunnes Stores are supported by a versatile legal function that is well respected by peers. By virtue of operating in a market with other well-established and...

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Eaton Corporation

| Eaton Corporation

Upon Eaton Corporation’s $13bn acquisition of Cooper Industries in 2012 and their subsequent change in domicile from the USA to Ireland, a new legal team and company-wide governance office was...

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Eir

| Eir

Formerly known as Eircom, the Irish telecommunications entity now trading under the brand name Eir is the largest operator in the Republic of Ireland, known as a highly competitive market...

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Electricity Supply Board (ESB)

| Electricity Supply Board (ESB)

Consisting of 29 solicitors and 19 legal executives and secretaries, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in-house legal team is known in Ireland for the depth and breadth of expertise of...

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Endo International

| Endo International

Endo International is a global specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes quality branded and generic pharmaceutical products as well as over-the-counter medications though its operating companies. Endo’s...

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Ervia

| Ervia

State-owned Ervia is Ireland’s gas and water multi-utility. Upon its creation in 2014, it brought together Ireland’s existing gas utility (renamed Gas Networks Ireland) and newly created water utility Irish...

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Etsy

| Etsy

Joining several other American headquartered internet companies setting up in Ireland, Etsy, an online marketplace allowing people to make, sell and buy unique goods, has had a presence in the...

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EY Ireland

| EY Ireland

The Irish arm of accountancy firm EY are guided through legal and risk issues by a team led by general counsel and risk management leader Suzanne Tucker, who has held...

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Facebook – Data Protection and Privacy

| Facebook - Data Protection and Privacy

Facebook’s operations in Ireland are supported by an expert Data Protection and Privacy (DPP) legal function, headed by Yvonne Cunnane, who is also a director of Facebook Ireland. The team,...

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Facebook – International Commercial Advertising

| Facebook - International Commercial Advertising

Led by director and associate general counsel Peter O’Neill, Facebook’s International Commercial Ads team in Ireland is responsible for deals comprising 50% of Facebook’s global revenue. Highlighting the tangible value...

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FEXCO

| FEXCO

FEXCO is an Irish financial services company focusing on foreign money exchange, payment card services and business solutions. The company is currently headquartered in Killorglin, County Kerry, but with global...

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First Data Corporation

| First Data Corporation

Initially founded in the United States, global payment technology solutions company First Data Corporation has an Irish presence in Dublin and employ a legal team led by Ian Mulqueen, who...

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Forcepoint

| Forcepoint

Marlene Connolly is the group counsel international for information security software specialists Forcepoint, previously known as Raytheon|Websense, which has business operations in the Irish region complementing its existing US business....

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Glanbia

| Glanbia

The Irish legal team at Glanbia, the global performance nutrition and ingredients group, is led by group general counsel Michael O’Hara and consists of three lawyers and one paralegal. Key...

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Google

| Google

Information technology

Sarah Lennon is the regional counsel for Ireland at global internet technology company Google, whose team provide round-the-clock legal counsel on a broad range of issues across a wide geographical...

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Greencore

| Greencore

Dublin-based Greencore Group supplies the UK market with 350 million sandwiches a year. Formed in 1991 from the privatisation of the Irish sugar industry the company has grown into a...

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Health Information and Quality Authority

| Health Information and Quality Authority

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent, government-funded authority established to drive high-quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland. The...

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Heineken Ireland

| Heineken Ireland

Orla Joyce is the head of legal of Heineken Ireland, the Irish branch of the international beverages company well known for its famous Heineken lager brand, which it compliments with...

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ICON

| ICON

Involved in several sectors under the umbrella of the healthcare industry, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices contract research organisation ICON are supported by a legal team described as ‘full of...

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Irish Bank Resolution Corporation

| Irish Bank Resolution Corporation

Financials

‘When Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC) was placed into special liquidation in 2013, group legal could have faded into irrelevance. Thankfully, the team stepped up to the very significant challenge,...

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Irish Distillers

| Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines, producing some of the world’s most famous Irish whiskeys including the popular Jameson brand. Legal...

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Irish Greyhound Board

| Irish Greyhound Board

Operating as the regulators and promoters of greyhound sport in Ireland, semi-state owned company Irish Greyhound Board’s position as governors of the unique sport demands a niche legal perspective. The...

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Irish Life

| Irish Life

Irish Life is one of the biggest financial companies in Ireland, offering life insurance, pension and investment products to over one million customers. Up until 2012, Irish Life was part...

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Irish Rugby Football Union

| Irish Rugby Football Union

The sporting world has never been as competitive as it is today, both on and off the pitch. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) manages and oversees rugby union teams...

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Jazz Pharmaceuticals

| Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Healthcare

Within the highly competitive and highly regulated pharmaceutical industry there are a number of factors liable to disrupt the smooth operation of any entity operating in the sector. Necessitating the...

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John Player

| John Player

John Player is a cigarette brand under the control of London Stock Exchange and FTSE 100 Index constituent Imperial Brands, formerly known as Imperial Tobacco Group. The business surrounding the...

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John Sisk & Son

| John Sisk & Son

John Sisk & Son contains the UK and Ireland divisions of Sisk Group, a construction and property company that have worked on numerous high-profile and varied projects including Dublin’s state...

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Kerry Group

| Kerry Group

Headquartered in ‎Tralee‎, public food company Kerry Group control some of Ireland’s most well-known brands including Wall’s, Mattessons and Cheesestrings. Posting a revenue figure of €6bn in 2015 and employing...

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Kingspan Group

| Kingspan Group

Building materials company Kingspan Group were founded in Ireland in the 1960s and have become one of Ireland’s biggest companies with operations spanning Europe, North America and Australasia. Possessing a...

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KPMG Ireland

| KPMG Ireland

KPMG Ireland is served by a legal team that ensures the professional services group’s Irish business operations are compliant, legally sound and risk averse. As one of the “Big Four”...

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Malin Corporation

| Malin Corporation

Malin Corporation is a recently-created Irish company specialising in making investments into the life sciences industry. Padraic Roche, general counsel and company secretary, leads a legal team that coordinates and...

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Mercer

| Mercer

The Irish operations of global consulting firm Mercer are based in Dublin, where a range of business operations are undertaken and the company therefore require a solid legal foundation from...

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MetLife Ireland

| MetLife Ireland

MetLife, a global provider of insurance and associated services, made a significant investment in the Irish market in 2015. Initially issuing loans through its real estate arm, MetLife has expanded...

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Microsoft

| Microsoft

Microsoft’s Irish operation is fundamental to its global success. Starting its first operations in Ireland in 1985 by opening a small manufacturing facility employing just over 100 people, it now...

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Musgrave Group

| Musgrave Group

Ireland’s leading food retailer and wholesaler Musgrave Group is a long-established family-owned Irish business, celebrating their 140th anniversary in 2016. The Musgrave Group oversee some of Ireland’s most visible brands...

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National Asset Management Agency (NAMA)

| National Asset Management Agency (NAMA)

Headquartered in ‎Tralee‎, public food company Kerry Group control some of Ireland’s most well-known brands including Wall’s, Mattessons and Cheesestrings. Posting a revenue figure of €6bn in 2015 and employing...

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National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA)

| National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA)

The National Treasury Management Agency’s legal team is led by chief legal officer Andrew O’Flanagan, responsible for several functions across the group spanning legal, compliance, human resources, secretariat, internal audit...

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New Ireland Assurance Company

| New Ireland Assurance Company

New Ireland Assurance Company is Ireland’s first wholly-owned life assurance business. The company plays an important part in Ireland’s financial services sector, offering pensions, life insurance, investments and funds services....

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Northern Trust

| Northern Trust

Financial services company Northern Trust operate across various different markets in the sector, offering wealth management, asset management and asset servicing services across their business units in the United States...

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Novartis Global Services Centre

| Novartis Global Services Centre

Novartis Global Services Centre (NGSC) was established in Dublin in 2013, operating under the Novartis Ireland organisation, providing a range of services facilitating the smooth running of the business within...

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ORIX Aviation Systems

| ORIX Aviation Systems

ORIX Aviation Systems has a unique standing as the only aircraft lease servicer in the world to be ranked by rating agency Standard & Poor’s. The ORIX business model means...

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Paddy Power Betfair

| Paddy Power Betfair

Energy and utilities

Leading Irish bookmaker Paddy Power Betfair’s legal support is led by group general counsel and company secretary Edward Traynor, who was appointed to the position in May 2015. The £5bn...

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Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland)

| Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland)

Pepper Ireland is a leading asset manager and provider of third-party loan and advisory services, part of the wider Pepper Group headquartered in Australia. Pepper currently has over €12bn of...

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Pfizer

| Pfizer

Rory Sullivan, the legal director for Pfizer in Ireland, leads a team of three lawyers who are collectively responsible for navigating the company through the pharmaceutical market with assuredness, even...

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Premier Lotteries Ireland

| Premier Lotteries Ireland

Previously owned by the Irish State, in 2014 control of the Irish National Lottery was turned over to Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) after a deficit in the government’s budget required...

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Primark Stores

| Primark Stores

Primark is an Irish clothing retailer that operates across the globe; selling quality clothing at a low market price. Although the Primark brand is used internationally, the company has maintained...

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PwC Ireland

| PwC Ireland

PwC is a multinational professional services firm and a constituent of the “Big Four” accountancy firms. With offices in 776 cities across 157 countries, PwC is well versed in having...

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Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)

| Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)

Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) is the Irish national public service broadcaster and provides Ireland’s national television and radio services. The company faces numerous legal challenges stemming from their various entities,...

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Ryanair

| Ryanair

Ryanair has become synonymous with low-cost air fare, making international travel more accessible to a wider number of people. In order to achieve the company’s market strategy, the legal team...

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SMBC Aviation Capital

| SMBC Aviation Capital

Headquartered in Dublin, SMBC Aviation Capital is another of Ireland’s global aircraft leasing companies with an international remit, with over 160 employees across Europe, Asia and the United States. With...

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Smurfit Kappa

| Smurfit Kappa

Smurfit Kappa is one of Ireland’s largest companies, with a global revenue figure of €8.11bn and a listing on the London Stock Exchange, the group is also a constituent of...

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State Street Ireland

| State Street Ireland

State Street is an American worldwide financial services holding company, with global operations and offices in almost 30 countries. State Street is organised into divisions, all of which operate globally:...

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Telefónica Ireland

| Telefónica Ireland

Niall Shanley is Telefónica’s most senior lawyer in Ireland and manages all matters encompassing legal and company secretarial for Telefónica’s business in the country. Global telecommunications group Telefónica have an...

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Tesco

| Tesco

Supermarket giant Tesco are supported in Ireland by a team of legal experts led by Sarah Gallagher, legal director of Tesco Ireland since August 2012. Supporting the Irish arm of...

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Three Ireland

| Three Ireland

The legal and regulatory function at mobile operator Three Ireland is led by general counsel Patrick Foyle, and consists of a team of six lawyers and four non-lawyers. Foyle describes...

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Topaz Energy

| Topaz Energy

The relatively small legal team at Topaz Energy, one of Ireland’s leading fuel and convenience brands, is comprised of two lawyers and one non-lawyer. Recently, the team has had particular...

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Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)

| Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)

In August 2015 the merger of National Roads Authority (NRA) and Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) created Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). TII is a state-operated agency responsible for the Irish road...

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Trinity College Dublin – University of Dublin

| Trinity College Dublin – University of Dublin

Trinity College Dublin, the sole college of the University of Dublin, is acknowledged as the leading university in Ireland and has worldwide recognition as one of the leading research-intensive learning...

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Twitter

| Twitter

The vibrancy of Dublin’s tech community is well established, and Twitter, one of the world’s largest social media companies by users, currently bases its European, Middle Eastern and African operations...

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Ulster Bank

| Ulster Bank

Financials

Headed by general counsel Rachel Curran, the Ulster Bank legal team consists of 15 lawyers and two administrative staff. The team has been involved in a range of strategic initiatives...

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University College Dublin

| University College Dublin

One of Ireland’s leading higher education institutions, University College Dublin’s (UCD) day to day operation and strategy is safeguarded by its innovative and forward-looking legal function. Working on a comprehensive...

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Valentia Technologies

| Valentia Technologies

Based at the company headquarters in Dublin, Valentia Technologies’ legal team provide legal support to the worldwide enterprise, who develop and implement health-related software solutions and services across a number...

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Vhi Healthcare

| Vhi Healthcare

Vhi Healthcare is Ireland’s largest private medical insurance provider. The Vhi legal team of five has been led by Joe May since 2008. Currently responsible for several projects, May and...

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Viatel & Digiweb Group

| Viatel & Digiweb Group

The legal team at Viatel & Digiweb Group has implemented a greater awareness of compliance and contractual risk management in recent years, in line with the needs of the telecommunications...

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Virgin Media Ireland

| Virgin Media Ireland

The Irish holding of telecommunications giant Virgin Media has recently expanded into new areas of business, which has necessitated a strong foundation of support from their in-house legal team. Vital...

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Vodafone Ireland

| Vodafone Ireland

Telecommunication services

Vodafone’s Irish business was created after the Vodafone Group acquired Eircell, the mobile network of Telecom Éireann. Since this time Vodafone Ireland has made an impression on the highly competitive...

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Western Union Payment Services Ireland Limited (WUPSIL)

| Western Union Payment Services Ireland Limited (WUPSIL)

The licensed payment institution Western Union Payment Services Ireland Limited (WUPSIL), part of the Western Union group, is supported in its Dublin offices by a legal function staffed by three...

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Xilinx

| Xilinx

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Yahoo!

| Yahoo!

First opening its doors in Ireland in 2003, global internet company Yahoo! base their Europe, Middle East and African (EMEA) operations out of their Dublin headquarters, and in doing so...

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Zurich Ireland

| Zurich Ireland

The Zurich Ireland in-house legal team is stable, long-established and operates as a shared service function advising all Irish businesses of the global insurance giant. The team of 13 permanent...

For 29 years, The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world. The GC Powerlist is the latest publication from The Legal 500, turning its attention to the in-house function, and recognising those corporate counsel who are driving the legal business forward. The latest edition is the GC Powerlist: Ireland Teams, which identifies an array of the most influential and innovative in-house teams working in Ireland.

The GC Powerlist is a series of publications, highlighting the most influential in-house lawyers and teams in business today.

To put together the list, we canvassed opinions from law firm partners and in-house counsel in Ireland, to identify corporate counsel that have been instrumental in changing or forming opinions within their company or industry; developing brilliant technical solutions to complex issues; creating innovative structures to ensure that the in-house function is driving the business forward; or providing a business working model that other corporate counsel should follow. Our team of experienced researchers assessed the nominations, speaking both to general counsel and nominating lawyers to finalise each jurisdictional list. The GC Powerlist: Ireland Teams features not just information on teams that have made the list, but also practical tips for fellow in-house counsel to follow to maximise their interaction with their businesses.

David Burgess
Publishing Director

McCann FitzGerald

McCann FitzGerald logo

McCann FitzGerald is delighted to continue its support of the GC Powerlist in Ireland, recognising as it does the breadth and depth of legal talent that play an increasingly important role in many of Ireland’s most successful businesses.

The environment in which lawyers operate is dynamic and ever-changing. Increasing workload and risk, the demand for delivery of more legal services at less cost, limited availability of qualified legal resources and increasing use of technology are just some of the drivers in today’s highly competitive market for legal services. These changes place serious demands on all lawyers, both in-house and in private practice, to constantly evaluate how they deliver their services and to figure out how to respond to the demand for increased efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of legal services.

That is why McCann FitzGerald recently launched the Data Investigations Group. The Data Investigations Group is a state-of-the-art model for the management of high-volume document review and reporting. It significantly differentiates our approach to large-scale project work, employing specialist technology, project management capability and a flexible resourcing model that can deliver cost savings of up to 40% for clients.

At the same time as these changes are occurring, in-house legal teams are being called on to take a leading role in advising businesses, and to have an expanding influence in areas such as risk management and business strategy. They are seen as thought leaders and experts within their industries, with the insights to drive and create business opportunities and influence decisions at the highest levels.

Private practice lawyers have a strong role to play when advising in-house teams. It is important that they too have an understanding of the economic and business landscape that their clients are operating in. They need to be on hand to offer expert counsel within their area of expertise, and work closely with their in-house counterparts to navigate through the changing business, regulatory and legal environments. There are a wealth of opportunities for private and in-house legal teams to collaborate, allowing them together to give expert advice to their business, and ultimately to drive further growth.

McCann FitzGerald is excited by the developments in the legal sector and the evolving role of inhouse counsel. As a firm, we seek to enable your progress through the provision of strategic legal counsel on the major business and commercial issues of our time, delivered through a culture of high performance and high integrity. We look forward to developing further our partnerships and collaborations with in-house counsel, as Ireland continues its economic recovery. These partnerships enable businesses to benefit from the insight that McCann FitzGerald has obtained over many years in working with clients across a range of industries.

On behalf of all the partners at McCann FitzGerald, I wish to extend our sincere congratulations to all those who have been included in the GC Powerlist Ireland Teams 2016. Recipients of this accolade come from a broad and varied range of sectors, from banking and financial services to retail chains and consumer brands. This prestigious recognition highlights the hard work, strength and innovation displayed by in-house counsel across Ireland, and also emphasises the increasingly important and expanding role of in-house counsel in today’s business environment.

GC Summit Germany 2024

On March 21st, The Legal 500 returned to Frankfurt to host the GC Summit Germany 2024, which took place at the Hilton Frankfurt City Centre. We wish to thank our partners for this event–SquirePattonBoggs, Taylor Wessing, Seitz, and AlixPartners–for their help in organising the panels for this conference, which covered a variety of cutting edge and up to date topics.

Drawing on the broad experience of our highly accomplished speakers from both legal firms and in-house counsel, this event provided practical, hands-on advice. The first panel, Managing your company’s value chain – Risks and opportunities in a dynamic regulatory environment, was moderated by Volker Popp, director at AlixPartners. Its panel included Franziska Janorschke, global head of data privacy & AI compliance, Novartis; Martin Petrasch, chief counsel of compliance, Siemens; and Dr. Wolfgang Bartels, general counsel, Mercedes-Benz Group. It involved an extensive, technical discussion amongst the panellists and continued on into the Q&A.

The first panel was followed by ESG in M&A transactions, sponsored by Talor Wessing. Rebekka Krause, salary partner at Taylor Wessing, moderated a broad-ranging discussion between Maria Rostock, general counsel, Borromin, and Timo Spitzer, executive director & head of legal for Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Nordic Countries, Grupo Santander. The team at Taylor Wessing and in-house panellists provided an in-depth overview of why ESG has become more and more important in M&A transactions, as well as EU legislation and new laws coming into effect.

After a short lunch break, the event continued with Seitz’s panel, Recent Compliance matters in the employment relationship, which was moderated by Stephan Pötters, partner, Seitz; and included Kathrin Bürger, partner, Seitz; Mark Mickasch, chief compliance officer, FUNKE; Julia Arbery, partner, Stoneturn; and Özlem Yesilkaya, head of investigations (Asia Pacific & EMEA), global investigation department, Fresenius Medical Care AG.

The final panel for the event was titled Legal Finance, the Universe and all the Rest: A 360o View on Dispute Funding and Dispute Hedging. Jens Petry (Squire Patton Boggs), Stefan Kirsten (KRD Kirsten. Risk & Disputes) and Katharina Fröhlich (unilegion) explored the increasing popularity of litigation funding and insurance solutions among corporates, the impact of a claimant being funded or insured on a defendant’s strategy, and defendants’ legal and commercial options to restore the equilibrium.

Closing remarks were provided by Jens Fettig, head of legal and compliance Europe, Atos. After the event-proper, participants joined sponsors and panellists in the Hilton Frankfurt City Centre’s Hudson Yards Bar for in-depth conversation, drinks and canapes.

We at The Legal 500 want to express our sincere thanks to the sponsors of the event– SquirePattonBoggs, Taylor Wessing, Seitz, and AlixPartners. Without their support, GC Summit Germany 2024 would not have been possible.

We hope to see you at GC Summit Germany next year!