Mason Hayes & Curran LLP provides comprehensive advice across licensing, compliance, investigation, and enforcement work to a range of public sector clients. The team is co-led by Catherine Allen, who is recognised for her expertise in statutory interpretation issues, investigations, and fair procedures; and Brian Horkan, who specialises in child protection issues, psychiatric healthcare mandates, and work involving hospitals. Lisa Joyce has experience in legislative drafting, fair procedures, and statutory interpretation issues, while Aoiffe Moran focuses on corporate governance obligations and information law.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The collaborative and solution focused approach is very evident. Their ability to create solutions to complex problems and provide a diligent approach is notable.’
- ‘Brian Horkan is a very diligent and compassionate practitioner. His mediation and solution focused skills are outstanding. He is ahead of his peers in this regard. He is an asset to any team and pays great attention to new staff to help them settle in.’
- ‘Catherine Allen is accessible, helpful and very knowledgeable and ensures the correct partner/associate is assigned to a project/task.'
- ‘Totally on top of their game in terms of legal knowledge and strategy. Highly responsive and pragmatic. Collaborative with client and counsel at all teams demonstrating strong team leadership.’
- ‘This is an extremely strong team which I would rate very highly indeed.’
- ‘Extremely responsive, friendly and knowledgeable team with broad, up to date expertise across matters relevant to the public sector.’
- ‘Catherine Allen's knowledge of the public sector is second to none and her breadth of experience has proven invaluable to us.’
- ‘MHC have an excellent understanding of the public sector and provide practical, tailored advice on the complex and evolving Freedom of Information (FOI) regulations. They have an highly qualified and skilled team who offer proactive and strategic guidance to assist us in managing our FOI responsibilities and dealing with challenging FOI matters.’
Key clients
- Adoption Authority of Ireland
- Child and Family Agency
- Children’s Health Ireland
- Coillte
- Commission for Aviation Regulation/Irish Aviation Authority
- Commission for Communications Regulation
- Commission for the Regulation of Utilities
- DomusVi Ireland Limited
- EirGrid
- Electricity Supply Board
- Enterprise Ireland
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Health and Safety Authority
- Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)
- Health Insurance Authority
- Law Society of Ireland
- Legal Aid Board
- Legal Practitioner’s Disciplinary Tribunal (LPDT)
- Medical Council
- Meta
Work highlights
Advising and acting on behalf of Trinity Care on multiple sets of complex judicial review proceedings, concerning the allocation of state funding to private nursing home care.
Providing strategic and pragmatic legal advice to Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd (Meta) in a statutory appeal and judicial review proceedings related to fines issued by the Data Protection Commission totalling €251m and €11m.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Lisa Joyce
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Aoiffe Moran
Practice head
Catherine Allen; Brian Horkan
Other key lawyers
Lisa Joyce; Aoiffe Moran