McCann FitzGerald LLP is engaged in a wide range of tax matters, with core strengths across corporate transactions, finance tax, and real estate and construction-related mandates such as domestic and international property investment and funding structures. The team is also increasing its tax disputes presence and work in funds tax. Co-heads Alan Heuston and James Quirke are both well-placed to advise on corporate transactions, while Deirdre Barnicle and consultant Eleanor MacDonagh, who also lead the team, specialise in financial services tax.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Alan Heuston has been a tax professional working for a company in the sector, so he knows what it is like to form positions using sometimes imperfect legislation. In short, he is able to use technical knowledge and practical experience to form views.
- ‘Stand out tax team that provide strong tax technical but practical advice on a timely basis and for good value.’
- ‘Deirdre Barnicle and Eleanor MacDonagh are approachable, reliable and available as needed. They provide strong tax technical and practical advice. They both have excellent commercial skills and make you feel very supported on transactions.’
- ‘Deirdre Barnicle is very attentive to her clients. She has a depth of knowledge that is crucial to the tax advice she provides to her clients. She manages her team effectively and consistently delivers a high standard of service.’
- ‘The tax team combined deep technical expertise with a highly collaborative approach. They were able to join the dots between complex legal, financial, and tax issues, making them an integral part of the wider transaction team.’
- ‘Alan Heuston brought a calm, knowledgeable, and emotionally intelligent presence to the transaction. He played a pivotal role in steering the tax aspects of the deal, making his points with precision at the moments they mattered most while allowing the wider commercial negotiations to progress smoothly. Pragmatic and efficient, and consistently delivered the goods when it mattered.’
- ‘The biggest strength of McCann's Tax is Eleanor MacDonagh. She is our key contact for tax advisory and structuring due to her on point tax knowledge, commercial awareness and her ability to combine the two effectively.’
- ‘Eleanor MacDonagh is the main reason we use McCanns Tax. She is readily available, provides clear and effective guidance / advice ensuring our investments deals are tax efficient and compliant.’
Key clients
- WestRock
- Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.
- Standard Chartered Bank
- SC Holdings I Limited
- Direct Selling Acquisition Corp
- Electricity Supply Board
- Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp.
- Pfizer, Inc.
- Greencoat Renewables
- Coillte
- Deutsche Bank ALG London Branch
- Magnetar Financial (UK) LLP
- Aercap
- No Limit Capital LLP
- Investcorp
- Urbeo Residential ICAV
- WeWork
- AXA Real Estate Investment Managers UK Limited
- Nordic Aviation Capital
- BWG Group
Work highlights
Advised WestRock on the tax aspects of its agreed combination with Smurfit Kappa to create Smurfit WestRock.
Advised Kerry Co-Op in connection with its agreement to acquire Kerry Dairy Ireland.
Acted as Irish counsel to Scandinavian Airlines and its eight Irish Gorm entities in filing for Chapter 11 in the US Bankruptcy Court.
Lawyers
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
Eleanor MacDonagh; Alan Heuston; Deirdre Barnicle; James Quirke