Byrne Wallace Shields LLP‘s strong and specialised health and social care team, led by Sinéad Kearney SC, is well equipped to handle a diverse range of mandates for health and social care agencies, hospitals, private healthcare providers, and regulatory and professional representative bodies. The team’s expertise extends to mental health law, and child protection and child care law, which Olive Doyle and Eoghan Wallace specialise in respectively. The life sciences team is spearheaded by Colin Sainsbury, a recognised expert in the field, who brings strength to complex sector-specific corporate matters, alongside Catherine Dowling. Working with large companies across various sectors such as the pharma, biotech and medical device spaces, the group advises on mandates ranging from IPOs and exits, to licensing and supply chain issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team stand out because they don’t just give you the legal answer, they help you find a way forward that works in practice. They know the sector really well and have a good grasp of the commercial and regulatory pressures that are unique to life sciences, so their advice always feels grounded in the reality of running a business.’
- ‘The people I’ve worked with at Byrne Wallace Shields really stand out for being approachable and straight-talking. They know their stuff, but they don’t hide behind jargon – they explain things clearly and focus on solutions.'
- ‘Colin Sainsbury is a life sciences expert with invaluable knowledge of the sector.’
- ‘Olive Doyle demonstrated significant leadership across a wide range of areas - court procedures, legal advice, training and problem solving in complex environments. Her qualities of empathy, resilience, integrity and accountability were evident over the years of direct engagement with her.’
- ‘Catherine Dowling stands out not only for her legal expertise but also for her personal qualities. She is approachable, empathetic, and treats us as equals, never condescending, always respectful.’
- ‘Experience, insight and understanding of some of the broader issues. Commitment and availability, consistency, professionalism and process driven.’
Key clients
- Neuromod Devices Limited
- Priothera Limited
- Xeolas Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Versono Medical Limited
- Warburton Technology
- European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)
- Q3 Medical Devices Limited
- Univet Limited
- Juvenescence (Europe) Limited
- Phibro Animal Health
- B. Braun Hospicare
- Avectas Limited
Work highlights
Advising MVM Partners (the lead investor) and OrbiMed in relation to the $80m Series B financing of ProVerum Limited.
Advising StatisticaMedica on the negotiation and successful conclusion of a number of complex master services agreements with globally leading multinational life sciences companies.
Advising Priothera, an early stage biotech company, on a broad range of mandates including the company’s commercial contracts, board related matters, further funding rounds both debt and equity and its ESOP related matters.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Colin Sainsbury; Sinéad Kearney SC
Other key lawyers
Eoghan Wallace; Catherine Dowling; Olive Doyle; Patrick McClean; Alan Doyle; Catherine Cusack