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Matheson LLP

Matheson LLP

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Ireland

1

Insolvency and corporate restructuring

Co-led by Brendan Colgan, Julie Murphy-O’Connor and Kevin Gahan, the team at Matheson LLP is a go-to name for large banks, investment funds and insolvency practitioners. The group is regularly instructed on a variety of large domestic and cross-border insolvency and restructuring mandates. Colgan has established experience in examinerships, schemes of arrangement and liquidations, while Murphy-O’Connor specialises in insolvency related disputes. Consultant Tony O’Grady continues to demonstrate his wealth of expertise, while Gahan has assisted in various cross-border restructurings, and newly promoted partner Kathryn Rice is also of note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • Top-class team providing excellent client advice. Always working alongside the client, guiding them step by step.
  • Matheson stands out for its combination of technical excellence, commercial insight, and a genuinely collaborative approach. The team consistently delivers high-quality legal advice that is both practical and strategic, ensuring clients receive solutions that are tailored to their business objectives rather than simply legal answers. What makes the practice unique is its depth of expertise across insolvency and corporate recovery, coupled with a culture of accessibility and responsiveness. Partners are hands-on and engaged, ensuring continuity of service and a high level of personal attention throughout every matter. The team also takes a proactive approach to risk management, often anticipating issues before they arise and providing clear, forward-thinking guidance.
  • I have had the opportunity to work closely with Kevin Gahan of Matheson on a number of matters over the past year. He consistently demonstrates exceptional legal knowledge, commercial awareness, and attention to detail. His ability to provide clear, pragmatic advice and to manage complex engagements efficiently has been invaluable. Kevin is also highly responsive and approachable, fostering a collaborative relationship that makes working together both effective and enjoyable.
  • Brendan Colgan is one of the best practitioners in Ireland. He is very experienced and always has a firm view on what he advises to clients, which is always helpful for them.
  • ‘A very strong team of insolvency solicitors with a long history in the sector. Large firm with full service capability.’
  • ‘Matheson's insolvency & restructuring team are the best in the business in my view. Across the team and the firm, they always offer deep expertise coupled with a very commercial and practical approach to complex situations.’
  • ‘Having worked with him for many years, Brendan Colgan is one of Ireland's top restructuring lawyers and one of the most diligent, smart and commercial litigators I have come across. Brendan considers each situation and brings a unique perspective to what can often by very challenging and pressurised situations.'

Key clients

  • Smurfit WestRock plc
  • PWC
  • EY
  • KPMG
  • Deloitte
  • Grant Thornton
  • BDO
  • Kroll
  • Mazars
  • (Azets Ireland) Baker Tilly
  • RSM
  • Evelyn Partners
  • Russell Brennan Keane
  • McStay Luby
  • Goldman Sachs
  • CarVal Investors
  • Oaktree
  • Bank of Ireland
  • AIB
  • KBC Bank Ireland

Work highlights

Advising Smurfit Kappa Group plc in relation to a successful combination with American packaging company WestRock Company, to form Smurfit WestRock plc, by way of a scheme of arrangement pursuant to Part 9 of the Companies Act 2014 (as amended).
Advising the directors of B.Iconic Group Limited in a successful defence of a restriction application brought by the liquidator of the company.
Advising in relation to the liquidation of New Look Retailers (Ireland) Limited and assisting with a variety of employment, property, regulatory and insolvency matters.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

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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

Brendan Colgan; Julie Murphy-O’Connor; Kevin Gahan

Other key lawyers

Tony O'Grady; Kathryn Rice

Comparative Guides