DLA Piper Ireland LLP provides competition law advice on matters including antitrust investigations and dawn raids. The team is led by Darach Connolly, who has broad experience covering EU and Irish merger control, cartel proceedings, abuse of dominance issues, and licensing agreements. Jo Kane is also a key contact, advising on regulatory investigations and contractual arrangements, particularly within regulated industries such as the telecoms and media sectors.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘DLA Piper stands out due to its unique blend of global reach and local market expertise, which allows them to handle complex, multi-jurisdictional matters seamlessly. Their client-centric and forward-thinking approach, combined with a strong focus on diversity and collaboration, sets them apart from many of their competitors.’
- ‘Darach Connolly and Jo Kane were both technically excellent and provided advice that was very contextualised for our business and industry, which stood out to us.’
- ‘Darach Connolly is an exceptional partner who stands out for his remarkable combination of legal acumen and a genuine, collaborative approach. His professionalism and supportive demeanour foster trust and respect.’
- ‘Darach Connolly is an experienced and knowledgeable attorney with a broad background and good contacts with the authorities in Ireland. He has a strong economic understanding and is a pleasure to work with.’
- ‘Practical, efficient advice. Great communication, with frequent calls and updates on progress.’
- ‘The team consistently delivered a good standard of work and support. They are highly responsive and smart, with a good understanding of economic relationships and backgrounds.’
- ‘The DLA team very quickly got to grips with how our business was set up and how it operated. This gave us confidence to rely on them to lead a complex multi-jurisdictional project, knowing that it would limit the amount of input needed from our stakeholders during a busy period.’
Key clients
- Keywords Studios
- Fiserv, Inc.
- HSS Hire Group
- Warner Bros Discovery
- UPMC Ireland Ltd
- Aurelius
- Duke Street
- Royal HZPC Group BV
- Epic Systems
- Lufthansa
- Indeed, Inc
- Whitworths Bros
- MXP Partners
- Musgrave Group
- ServiceNow
- CommScope
Work highlights
Advised Keywords Studios on multi-jurisdictional merger control and foreign direct investment aspects of its £2.2bn sale to EQT private equity group including multiple merger control filings in Europe and the US.
Advised Fiserv on two major European transactions, including merger control and FDI filings across five jurisdictions, in its €200m+ acquisition of CCV and its acquisition of sole control of AIB Merchant Services, involving complex regulatory engagement.
Advising UPMC on the competition law and procurement aspects of the €26m development of a new cancer care centre in the southwest of Ireland within an existing joint venture with the Bon Secours private hospital network.
Practice head
Darach Connolly
Other key lawyers
Jo Kane