William Fry LLP offers its extensive clientele advice on an array of matters, including on the project management of employee share schemes, scheme restructuring, and regulatory issues surrounding IORP II. Ian Devlin and Colm Manning are joint practice heads; Devlin oversees the Dublin pensions team and is an expert in liability management and scheme restructuring exercises, while Manning in Cork specialises in equity incentives, particularly on both Revenue-approved and non-Revenue approved plans and the treatment of employee share schemes in M&A transactions. Maura Roe retired in July 2024.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Colm Manning has been an incredible resource to our company both in terms of his professional expertise and exceptional support on an ongoing basis. He has always maintained a friendly and supportive manner, regardless of the request or level of work being delivered.'
‘Their up-to-date knowledge and practical application to our business was key. They were proactive on all issues, and had great collaboration across other teams in their firm to ensure they fully understood our business, and took other industry-specific issues into consideration.’
‘We dealt mainly with Ian Devlin, partner. He was very personable and knowledgeable and explained the complexities of the pension laws and processes clearly to allow us to deliver a good outcome for our company. He was available as required and proactive in responding to queries.’
‘Strong, deep knowledge of the subject.'
‘Ian Devlin - practical, plain speaking with the ability to translate complex matters in to easily understood terms. Very responsive.’
‘A very talented team with many strengths. Whatever the query or problem that we take to the pensions team at William Fry, they have a team member that specialises in that particular issue and the team appear to collaborate very effectively to deliver a solution.’
Key clients
- Becton Dickinson Pension Schemes
- Aviva Ireland Staff Pension Schemes
- Guinness Ireland Group Pension Scheme
- Safefood 360°
- PIPO Europe Limited
- Wetherspoons
- Krispy Kreme
- Tesco
- B&Q
- Nordic Aviation Capital DAC
- Diageo
- Affiliates Management Company
Work highlights
Advised LifeSight Ireland Trustee DAC on various contractual and commercial arrangements related to its trusteeship of the LifeSight Ireland Master Trust.
Advised the association of Chartered Certified Accountants on various issues related to its Irish pension arrangements.
Advised Amgen on the employee share incentive aspects of its takeover of Irish company Horizon Therapeutics.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Ian Devlin; Colm Manning
Other key lawyers
Ciara Kelliher; Ciara McLoughlin