‘I don’t expect a dramatic recovery ‘We are better at ...whitneymoore.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013+edition.20-35.pdf · ‘I don’t expect a dramatic recovery ... Callan

Joanne GriffinKilroysIn January 2013, Joanne Griffin tookover from Eamon Jones as ManagingPartner of Kilroys, a law firm that hasbeen in business for nearly 60 years.Griffin was a lecturer until 1996 whenshe joined Kilroys as a trainee. Shequalified as a solicitor in 1999 and wasappointed partner in 2003. Griffin hasextensive expertise of dealing withcompany restructurings,amalgamations and mergers and thestructures and taxation issues arisingin connection with such transactions.Kilroys also advises company

directors being pursued by the ODCE,and counsels clients in proceedingsinvolving liquidators, receivers andexaminers. “Commercial litigation hasbeen very strong in the past 12months, though we see this areaslowing in terms of new instructions,”says Griffin. “We have seen an increasein commercial instructions work in theinsurance, retail and financial sectors.”Griffin says that one of Kilroys’ key

selling points is the availability ofpartners to deal with client matters ona day-to-day basis. “We are primarily apartner driven firm and this is whatmany corporate clients look for,” sheexplains. “It means that we are betterat understanding the needs of ourcommercial clients and we can identifyclosely with management requirements

in our client companies.”In Griffin’s opinion, credit in the

economy is extremely tight. “Cash isking and transactions that arehappening involve international clientsand are funded with cash resourcesprimarily and with little leverage. Inthe final quarter of 2012 there wasa realisation that an indefinite holdcannot be put on commercialtransaction work, restructurings andacquisitions. There is a more upbeat,can-do attitude in terms of clientsmaking decisions. Legal costs budgets,whilst still very tight, recognise thebenefits of timely and proportionatelegal advices.”

‘We are better at understanding theneeds of our commercial clients’

‘I don’t expect a dramatic recoveryin property-related activity’

BP SURVEY COMMERCIAL LAW

Peter WalshOrpen FranksPeter Walsh (37) joined Orpen Franksin 1999 and was elected ManagingPartner in March 2009. He acts forcorporates and financial institutionsin various projects and now increas-ingly in restructuring, enforcementand insolvency. Recent high-profilematters involving the firm includeacting for the liquidator of the PierseGroup and the examinership of the

Pilot Training College in Waterford. “We areparticularly pleased with the success in the Com-mercial Court action in the area of pyrite damage,where we acted for James Elliott Constructionagainst stone supplier, Irish Asphalt,” says Walsh.Walsh adds that commercial litigation and

insolvency, coupled with general commercial activitydealing with contracts and procurement, areresilient. “It is these areas of practice we will belooking to grow.With litigation, it is a question ofmanaging the cashflow and timing of payments.Conveyancing is still very quiet, and though therewas an upturn in the residential market at the endof 2012, I certainly don’t expect a dramatic recoveryin the property-related activity. In the debt recoveryand insolvency arenas, we have become very activefor financial institutions, insolvency practitionersand individual borrowers.”What attracts clients to Orpen Franks? “Capacity,

responsiveness, accessibility, results and value,” isWalsh’s response, adding that the firm has recruitedthree solicitors in the past year. “We have a goodrecord of retention and development of qualityprofessional staff coming from the traineeprogramme through to partner level,” he adds.

Sean TwomeyEugene F CollinsManaging Partner Sean Twomey joinedEugene F Collins as a result of a mergerwith George D Fottrell and Sons in 2003.Twomey and David Cantrell, EFC’s boss atthe time, were the driving forces behind themerger and Twomey succeeded Cantrell in2009. He says his role spans formulatingthe firm's strategy, developing the businessand maintaining close links with many ofthe firm's most important clients.Twomey specialises in banking and

commercial property and he has extensiveexperience in commercial property lendingand acts for all major lending institutions.He also advises on lending restructuringsand enforcement of securities, as well asthe property aspects of mergers andacquisitions and of joint venturetransactions.Eugene F Collins is celebrating its 120th

year in business in 2013 and its ManagingPartner is happy to talk up the reasons for

the firm’s longevity. “Our firm has a longand established history of giving first-ratelegal advice and exceptional client service,”says Twomey. “We know that ourknowledge, coupled with our ability toprovide relevant business-centric legalsolutions, will help our clients to continueto succeed in their business. We havestriven to attract and retain leading legaltalent and the reputation of our partnersreflects the expertise and professionalismof a long-standing firm.”Twomey says the firm has seen an

increase in corporate activity. “Our capitalmarkets team has been busy, giving advisesto the likes of Johnson and Johnson, IBRCand Bord Gais. Our banking team is busytoo; we are seeing more activity on thelending side and there are a number ofrestructurings going on.We continue towork with all the major banks, Nama andthe leading insolvency practitioners. Ourmedia lawyers have also dealt with anumber of high-profile defamation cases.”

‘We are seeing more activity on the lending side’

Survey continued on page 74


Celebrating 120 Years in Business

OUR PRIORITYIS YOU.Temple Chambers3 Burlington RoadDublin 4, Ireland

T +353 1 202 6400 F +353 1 667 5200 DX 25

E [email protected] www.efc.ie

Eugene F. Collins is a partner led law firm which commits to partner involvement in managing each client's legal requirements. We have built our business and our reputation on the simple

but fundamental principle of seeking at all times to give a

first-class legal service to our clients while building solid

and trusted relationships with clients. Visit efc.ie

John C. O’ConnorO’Connor SolicitorsDoes having a good legal firmstrengthen a company’s chances ofsurviving a recession? Yes it does,according to John C. O’Connor,Managing Partner of O’ConnorSolicitors in central Dublin. “Ourbusiness clients value the quality ofservice and cost effectiveness of thepractice,” he says. “We seek to developa close working relationship with all ofour clients, together with a detailedunderstanding of their businesses. Thisleads to a progressive and efficientmethod of dealing with legal issuesthat arise. Many of these clients haveweathered the economic downturn ingood shape and we would like to thinkthese factors are all connected.”

O’Connor’s areas of expertise includeregulatory law and he advises anumber of governing bodies, tradeunions and charities. “The firm hascontinued to perform strongly in thehealthcare and regulatory areas,”says O’Connor. “Employment lawand commercial leasing have beenparticularly busy and we have also seenadditional work in the charity sector inanticipation of the full implementationof the Charities Act.”

O’Connor believes that someeconomic green shoots are starting toemerge. “Landlords are now becomingmore realistic about rental income,

realising the danger of having propertyvacant for long periods. Thereforebusinesses are in a position to move,expand and develop and are no longeras constrained by high rents. We arealso starting to see the first signs ofimproved credit conditions for SMEsand increased volumes of lending toindividuals in connection withresidential purchasing.”

‘Many of our clients have weathered thedownturn in good shape’


‘Today’s client is a morediscerning customer’

Brian GillCallan TanseyCallan Tansey is thelargest law firm inConnacht, employing55 people at its officesin Sligo and Boyle.Brian Gill (40) hasbeen ManagingPartner since October2011 and he believesthat law firms have to

re-evaluate the traditional business model thatsustained them in times gone by. “Today’s clientis a more discerning customer and law firmsmust adapt or face the consequences,” he says.

Gill adds that 2012 was challenging for thefirm. “Thankfully our activity and instruction levelshave held up, particularly in litigation. The earlysigns in 2013 are good. There is an increase incorporate advisory work as SMEs face thechallenges of the depressed economic climate.”

Gill describes Callan Tansey as the ‘go to’ lawfirm for both private and corporate clients in theNorthWest and Connacht. “We promote a high-performance culture amongst our staff which isdedicated to securing excellent value for moneyoutcomes for all our clients,” he explains.

“We have implemented a staff performanceprogramme which involves a unique 360-degreepeer-review process, critiqued by internationalconsultants. Given the increasing importance ofrisk management in the legal services sector, wewere delighted to secure the Q6000 GoldStandard accreditation for risk management fromthe Irish Institute of Legal Standards & Research.”

Orlaith O’BrienMcEvoy PartnersOrlaith O’Brien (41) is a foundingpartner of McEvoy Partners and isManaging Partner. She has guided anumber of Irish and UK companiesthrough the AIM listing process andshe works with these clients on theirfundraisings, acquisitions anddisposals. The boutique practice is aregular award winner from legaljournals for its M&A counsel and thefirm is also active in commercialproperty, corporate restructuring andlitigation.According to O’Brien: “The level of

M&A activity in the past year wassurprising, given that the ability toobtain bank funding remains difficult.We have been engaged in quite anumber of corporate restructurings andin M&A transactions, and also inadvising private equity and venturecapital investors in relation to variousinvestments. Of particular note, weadvised Mater Private Hospital in ajoint venture arrangement in theopening of a new private hospital inCork.”O’Brien says her firm takes a team-

based approach to problem solvingand legal advice. “The partners work

closely with the other solicitors withinthe firm in a cost-effective teamenvironment,” she says. “As many ofour solicitors previously worked inlarge corporate firms, we provide theexpertise and professionalism of alarge corporate law firm combinedwith the personal service and flexibilityassociated with a smaller boutiquefirm.”She adds: “The firm’s ability to

deliver practical commercial advice andresults within deadlines, and itsdedication and personal service toclients, has ensured client loyalty andattracted a steady stream of newcommercial clients.”

‘The level of M&A activity in the past yearwas surprising’


‘Enforcement and insolvencywork continue to be busy’


David PhelanHayes SolicitorsDavid Phelan (38) became ManagingPartner of Hayes Solicitors in May2011. He heads up the firm’scommercial law team and hasspecific expertise relating to themanufacturing and retail sectors.He also advises on regulatorymatters and has representednumerous businesses and individualsin Competition Authority

investigations and criminal prosecutions. Phelanalso advises on intellectual property issues.Hayes recently represented PTSB Finance in the

sale of an assorted loan portfolio to a Europeanbank and the establishment of First Citizen Finance.“There are encouraging signs of M&A activityincreasing over the last six months or so, whichhopefully is one sign of a recovery in businessactivity,” says Phelan. “Enforcement and insolvencywork continue to be busy, which has been a trendover the last few years.”According to Phelan, Hayes focuses on achieving

pragmatic solutions for clients in a way that givesthem value for money. “We are conscious that allbusinesses need to keep their legal spend to aminimum and we provide service to our clients onthat basis,” he explains. “We have continued togrow our numbers in a measured way so as to meetthe needs of existing clients and a number of newclients won over the course of the year.”

Neil KeenanLKG BallaghLKG Ballagh was created in 2012 bythe merger of Lavery Kirby Gilmartinwith partners in KMB Solicitors. Thefirm is led by Managing Partner JamesFlynn while Neil Keenan is its Head ofCorporate and Commercial and is thepublic face of the firm. “The mergerhas resulted in us being able todevelop a number of specialist practicegroups within the firm,” says Keenan.LKG Ballagh’s clients include Eddie

O’Connor’s Mainstream RenewablePower and Keenan advised on thatcompany’s raising of around €60mfrom Macquaire Capital in 2012. “Thiswas a complex transaction and onethat we were delighted to have beeninvolved with,” says Keenan. “The firmalso acted in a number of substantialequity fundraising transactions bycompanies who have developedalternative energy technologies,including Endeco and Aer Bio. We alsoacted for the AIB Seed Capital Fundand the Western DevelopmentCommission on a range of equityinvestments and disposals.”Keenan adds: “We have found the

past year particularly busy in corporatetransactions. I have been surprised at thelevel of M&A activity, particularly dispo-sals of Irish businesses to foreign inves-tors. There are a lot of good early stage

businesses raising funds at the seed andearly stage capital stage and a numberof VCs who are active at this level.”In Keenan’s view, there is an

increased need in the Irish market forboutique commercial firms who areentrepreneurial and business focused.“We believe there are very few firmssuch as ours who have a track recordin handling large and complexcorporate transactions, as well asbanking and finance and largelitigation cases, without the overheadand additional cost that goes with alarge commercial firm.“I would like to see more state and

bank work being spread beyond thelarge city centre firms, as there aremany firms throughout the countrywho can offer an expert and efficientservice without the seeminglyextraordinary costs that some of thelarger firms seem to be charging tosome of the state agencies.”

‘I have been surprised at the level ofM&A activity’

‘There has been an increasein property transactions’


Cómhnall TuohyKane TuohyCómhnall Tuohy(42) was appointedManaging Partnerof Kane Tuohy onthe founding of thefirm in February2009. He specialisesin commerciallitigation, large-scale debt recovery,

enforcement of security and employment law,for which he has a proven reputation.Tuohy says the firm has benefited from

increased activity in its insolvency, corporaterestructuring, litigation, property and bankingdepartments, resulting in new hires. “Therehas also been a notable demand for advice incommercial transactions and agreements,and in the handling of debt, both from theperspective of the creditor and the debtor,”says Tuohy.“There has been a significant increase in

activity in property transactions, mostly dueto distressed property sales. There has beenan increase too in instructions in privateresidential property sales and purchases, alongwith an increase in landlord and tenant work,particularly in the food sector.”In Tuohy’s view, there has been no noticeable

improvement in credit conditions in the economy,apart from the agricultural sector and loan restru-cturing. “The economy is still adjusting and eachsector is different in terms of bottoming out.”

Katie da GamaDAC BeachcroftInternational law firm DAC Beachcroft setup a Dublin office five years ago, headedby senior partner Katie da Gama. GloballyDAC has around 2,500 lawyers and supportstaff and the expansion into Dublin wasprompted by demand from London marketinsurers for the establishment of an Irishfirm that would provide a continuity ofservice. The firm specialises in insurancelaw, professional indemnity claims, injurymatters, healthcare and clinical risk,commercial litigation and employment law.“There has been a sharp increase in

professional indemnity claims during thepast year,” says da Gama. “These have

been focused on both the solicitors'and construction professionals’ arena.The volume of commercial litigationhas increased and a key theme is claimsagainst financial institutions and/orfinancial advisors connected with thealleged mis-selling of financial productsand investments.”In the past year, DAC Beachcroft has

recruited 13 people to bring the staff totalin the Dublin office to 39. “We haveexpanded into two new areas of practice,namely injury risk fraud and employmentlaw,” says da Gama. “We are a trulyspecialist, global firm and we put our clientsat the centre of everything we do.We alsooffer innovative and flexible pricing models.”

‘There has been a sharp increase in professionalindemnity claims’



‘The economy has justabout touched bottom’

Daniel HughesHughes &AssociatesMost solicitorsin Ireland areself-employedand Daniel Hughesof Hughes &Associates has justbeen shortlistedfor the ‘SolePractitioner of the Year’ award at the DanskeBank Irish Law Awards 2013. Hughes hasdeveloped a strong litigation practice and hesays there has been a significant increase inthe advices being sought by directors in theirpersonal capacity.“Our practice provides comprehensive legal

advice on a par with larger firms but withsignificantly reduced fees,” says Hughes. “Wehave recently relocated to new offices onEustace Street in Dublin 2.We haveimplemented a new IT system with cloudcomputing, and we anticipate a significantgrowth in our practice in the next 18 monthsand a requirement for further personnel.”Hughes believes that the economy has just

about touched bottom. “I am starting to seean appetite by clients to develop new startupbusinesses and there has been more positivityamong clients in the last six months.”


Andrew Doyle (Maples and Calder):There are signals from our market whichwould draw us to the conclusion thatthere are positive times ahead forIreland’s economy:� Increasing interest in Irish corporatesfrom overseas financial investors.� Increased availability of credit,development and turnaround capitalwith the investments being made by theNPRF in funds managed by BlueBay,Better Capital and Carlyle. This couldhave a very significant effect on thetransactional landscape.� An increase in corporate confidencein line with recovery in equity capitalmarkets.� Ireland continues to punch well aboveits weight in attracting inwardinvestment.We are seeing some increase in loan

origination and in new moneyrefinancings to existing clients. Obviouslythe banks are being prudent in relation tosome existing clients in restructuringdebt appropriately to the reality of thesituation. We are also seeing some freshcredit being provided by Nama/IBRC inappropriate circumstances.

Neil Keenan (LKG Ballagh): All theindications are that the economy hastouched bottom and that a slow

improvement has started. There hasdefinitely been an increase in businessstartups and corporate activity, ininward investment and even in propertyactivity in certain areas. The macroindicators such as the slight rise inhouse prices in Dublin, the stabilisationin the unemployment numbers and thelimited return to the bond markets areall positive.I am finding that there has only been

a very limited improvement in creditconditions. The SME sector to which Ihave a substantial exposure through mypresidency of the Dún LaoghaireRathdown Chamber of Commerce isstill struggling to get credit. Our clientsare also finding that decisions by banksare slow and the terms of facilitiesdifficult to negotiate, and that lendersare slow to agree deals that are quiteobviously in the best interests of theborrower and the bank. However, theredoes appear to be an increased appetiteto provide credit to certain sectors, suchas the renewable energy sector.

John White (Beauchamps): Creditconditions for businesses, particularlySMEs, continue to be very tough. Thereis no real sense of banks lending anymore than they did this time last year, orindeed credit conditions easing. More

trust and increased credit has returnedto trading arrangements betweencorporates because the weaker players inmany industries have gone intoreceivership or liquidation. Banks arenow more willing to facilitaterestructuring plans and this is anencouraging sign.Demand is certainly increasing for

centrally located commercial propertyspace and Beauchamps has seen thenumber of international referrals doublein the last year. This is a strongindication that outside the country, atleast, the bottom is being called.

Catherine Guy (ByrneWallace): Theretail sector is currently under significantpressure. Many multiunit retailers arehaving difficulties in negotiating moremanageable lease terms and rentalpayments with landlords. Other sectorsthat are also in difficulty include servicesand construction. Five of the top tenconstruction companies have becomeinsolvent since 2007 and that hasresulted in a significant knock-on effecton suppliers and subcontractors.However, activity levels on thetransactional side have been creeping upover the last six months and we are veryconfident that this acceleration willcontinue.

lkgballagh.ie | Tel: 01 231 1430The Forum, 29-31 Glasthule Road, Glasthule, Co Dublin.Consultation Rooms at Lower Pembroke Street, Dublin 2.

LKG Ballagh is a dynamic and entrepreneurial law �rm that will deliver a results focused and Partner led service.

Find out more and see our impressive track record and client testimonials at lkgballagh.ie

Partners pictured from left to right:James Flynn Head of Private Client,David Ballagh Head of Commercial Property,Agatha Taylor Head of Litigation,Neil Keenan Head of Corporate and Commercial.

To what extent have credit conditions improvedand has the Irish economy bottomed out?

Brian Gill (Callan Tansey): Overall, thecredit squeeze remains tight forcorporate clients. Over the last twoyears the government’s focus has beenon improving its own credit lines to theoutside world. The focus now needs toshift to the domestic market and a morerobust approach needs to be adoptedwith the banks regarding the flow ofcredit to business. Consumerconfidence has not yet improved,hampered no doubt by the scourges ofhigh unemployment and high personaldebt. The impact of the public sectorpay talks will also play a key role inshaping the economic landscape duringthis coming year.

Mark Thorne (Dillon Eustace): Creditconditions for our clients have improvedsignificantly. Over the last year we haveseen additional credit available fromIrish and non-Irish banks, and indeednon-bank lenders, particularly in thearea of healthcare and nursing homedevelopment. We have also seen anumber of international banks lookingto finance acquisitions of distressedcommercial property-backed loanportfolios, and again we see this to be avery positive sign.

Sean Twomey (Eugene F Collins): Weare seeing a number of restructuringstaking place. This would involverefinancing and this seems to beavailable. The credit conditions wouldnot be as favourable as before, as thebanks are looking for higher margins,but credit is slowly coming back to the

market. I think Ireland’s economy hasreached the bottom. All the economicindicators are heading the right way.We still have a lot of work andadjustment to do but there seems to belight at the end of the tunnel.

Alan Murphy (Eversheds): We believethe austerity measures have helped torestore international confidence inthe Irish economy. The perception ofIreland abroad is very positive andinternational clients respect the effortsIreland is making in dealing with itsproblems. There is definitely aperception internationally that Irelandis starting to recover and is thestandout achieving economy amongthe bailout countries. Lendingconditions remain tight, though we areseeing movement in credit facilities bylending institutions to tradingcompanies in food, manufacturing andtechnology sectors. Other forms ofinvestment, such as private equity,funds and private investors, are takingprecedent.

Michael Lavelle (Lavelle Coleman):Credit conditions have shown someimprovement. In the past year, we haveseen an increase in property purchasesand there is evidence of more stability.Clients seem to be more likely to lookat business and investmentopportunities. There are fewer joblosses, less instructions in redundancyrelated employment issues andevidence of some clients creating jobs.Clients are looking forward rather thanstanding still. Ireland remains adestination of choice for foreigninvestors and Ireland Inc is still verymuch open for business. LavelleColeman is seeing increased activity inthe technology sector in particular andis advising companies on establishingbusinesses in Ireland.

David Phelan (Hayes Solicitors):Based on what we hear from clients,credit conditions haven’t significantlyimproved over the past year and good,strong businesses continue to havedifficulty in having the banks engagewith them as they would want.However, there definitely seems tobe more of a feeling of optimism nowthat we have turned a corner than anyother time over the last couple ofyears. The strong retail sectorperformance in December, an upturnin levels of merger and acquisitionactivity and increasing activity (and insome cases values) in the residentialproperty market all appearencouraging.


continued on page 80

‘Clients arelooking forwardrather thanstanding still’

Hugh Garvey (LK Shields): The factthat Ireland is once more seen as alocation in which there is value to behad is a very welcome development.That perception, combined with anenvironment where there is lessuncertainty internationally, has led togreater levels of commercial activityand a greater sense of optimism.However, it is no secret that thedomestic economy remains challenging.Conditions for the availability of credithave improved for those (often foreign-based) seeking to invest in the Irisheconomy compared with creditavailability for those conducting businessin the economy.

Emer Gilvarry (Mason Hayes &Curran): There is greater confidence inIreland at the moment. Conditions seemto have stabilised and businesses canplan more efficiently. We are unlikely tosee hockey stick growth in the nearfuture but many organisations are justhappy to have stability. The internationalperception is very different to the localview, as Ireland is seen as a land ofopportunity at the moment by globalinvestors. Ireland still has the samegreat benefits of an educated work force,good corporate tax rate and strongbusiness culture, but now has a reducedcost base, which makes it extremelyattractive for investment. Investors areseeing real value now in Irish assets andrecent sales such as the Gasworksbuilding and Bank of Ireland HQdemonstrate that people are willing toinvest if the price is right.

John Cronin (McCann FitzGerald): Forsmall companies and businesses itcontinues to be difficult to raise finance.For large PLCs the refinancing offacilities is difficult but such deals arebeing completed. For such PLCs andcertain state/semi-state organisations theUS private placement market is open.

Orlaith O’Brien (McEvoy Partners): Theability to obtain credit remains difficultfor our clients and we haven’t seen anymajor change over the last year. Onewould think that there is a lot of goodvalue to be had for property investorsbut we haven’t really seen too manyforeign investors coming in to snap upbargains. Perhaps there is a perceptionamong such investors that even a modestrise in interest rates could have amaterial impact on borrowers’ ability tocope. In such circumstances, propertyprices could drop even further. Havingsaid that, there are some positive signs.

Peter Walsh (Orpen Franks): Ourtraditional industries of food andtourism show great potential for growth

and I believe producers and providers inthis area are becoming very attuned tothis. Recent concerns over food safetyand provenance heightens theimportance of this area and createsopportunity for native producers.Transactional activity in the non-property arena is okay but it is primarilyoperating in circumstances where thereare no funding requirements fromdomestic banks. I would not be planningour own business around the likelihoodof an increase in transactional activity.

Myra Garrett (William Fry): There arewelcome signs that the Irish economyhas turned a corner with employmentand house prices stabilising and Irishmedium-term bond yields rallying fromover 8% in early 2012 to under 4%currently. The inroads made by thegovernment in restructuring oursovereign debt repayments are verypositive and the internationalcommunity has been impressed by theIrish reaction to the crisis. There isdefinite increase in transactional activityas well as more interest frominternational investors in Irish propertyassets and in acquisitions of Irishcorporates.There has been a steady increase in

the provision of new or refinanced creditfacilities for cash-generative corporatebusiness. We have seen both Irish pillarbanks, AIB and Bank of Ireland, as wellas foreign banks such as Barclays andRabobank providing finance facilities,including acquisition finance.



‘The internationalperception is verydifferent to thelocal view’

When investigating sites for development,our clients must access a range of dataon the site for feasibility, scoping,planning and acquisition. Traditionallythis data is accessible although oftenfrom diverse sources and our clientsmust then undertake the time-consuming and cumbersome task ofappraising the data and manuallyassembling titles and reports.

At Rochford Brady, we have innovatedthe way that our clients order andassemble this information bydeveloping a new land-referencingmapping tool. It’s easily navigated, and

layers of information can be turned onand off to allow clear interpretationof the data in the context of the site.Detailed reports are linked to the mapas PDF documents and are available bysimply selecting a location on the map.

Land referencing brings together acomprehensive suite of property datafrom diverse sources and combinesthem behind an interactive GIS mapproviding a powerful tool that improvesthe efficiency and effectiveness ofinterpreting the site data, and enhancesinformation governance and datamanagement.

Supported by a vastly experienced searching team, Rochford Bradyoffers a comprehensive package for your legal information requirements

CONTACT DETAILS

For more information, contactour sales team on 01 707 6200.

Information As You Need it

Rochford Brady can carry outplanning and licensing searchesin all counties, and search in allregistries, including:

� Companies Registration Office

� Registry of friendly societies

� Closing searches

� Copy folio/file plans

� Folio inspections

� Registry of deeds

� Licensing

� Planning

� Probate

� Sheriffs' offices

� Title registration

� Birth, marriage & death certificates

� Mapping searches

� Town agency

� Judgments Office

� Bankruptcy

� Credit reports

� UK Companies House

� Worldwide company searches

� Fitness and probity searches

At Rochford Brady we provide our clients with evolving solutions to

enable access to complex and technical property data relating to

specific sites for use in Commercial Development, Infrastructure

Projects and Renewable Energy.

COMPANY PROFILE ROCHFORD BRADY GROUP

BUSINESS PLUS APRIL 2013 81


Arthur Coxwww.arthurcox.comPartners/Solicitors: 232Managing Partner: BrianO’GormanArthur Cox is all-island firm, withoffices in Dublin and Belfast. Thefirm also has offices in London,New York and Silicon Valley.

Recent awards include LegalAdviser of the Year for Ireland2012, for the sixth consecutive year(FT/Mergermarket), and Republic ofIreland Law Firm of the Year 2012at the Lawyer European Awards. In2012, Arthur Cox established apresence in Silicon Valley. The firmrecently announced that CiaránBolger has been appointedchairman with effect from 1 May.He succeeds Eugene McCague,who returns to full-time client workhaving served for two terms aschairman.

Mathesonwww.matheson.comPartners/Solicitors: 231Managing Partner: Liam QuirkeMatheson has offices in Dublin,London, New York and Palo Alto.The primary focus of Matheson isto serve the Irish legal needs ofinternational companies andfinancial institutions doing businessin and through Ireland. Clientsinclude 27 of the world’s 50 largest

banks and more than half of theFortune 100 companies. The firm isheadquartered in Dublin and alsohas offices in London, New Yorkand Palo Alto. It recently won the‘Client Choice’ award for Ireland2013, International Law Office, forthe seventh time. Matheson wasthe first law firm to be recognisedas one of the ‘50 Best Workplacesin Ireland’.

A&L Goodbodywww.algoodbody.comPartners/Solicitors: 222Managing Partner: Julian YarrHeadquartered in Dublin, withoffices in Belfast, London, NewYork and Palo Alto, A&L Goodbodyhas a total staff of 580. The firmadvises domestic and globalcorporations, financial institutions,intermediaries and government.The focus on the internationalmarket is evident by the level ofinstructions from a number ofjurisdictions across the globe. In2012 the firm was awarded Irish

Law Firm of the Year (ChambersEurope); No.1 Irish M&A Law Firm(Mergermarket, Bloomberg,Thomson Reuters) and it is theonly Irish law firm to be ranked inTier 1 in all practice areas by theInternational Financial LawReview. Nine new partners wereannounced by the firm in the past12 months.

McCann FitzGeraldwww.mccannfitzgerald.iePartners/Solicitors: 197Chairman: John CroninMcCann FitzGerald’s recentawards include Law Firm of theYear 2012 (International FinancialLaw Review); Ireland ClientService Law Firm of the Year 2012(Chambers Europe); and Ireland’sMost Innovative Law Firm 2012(FT Innovative European Lawyersreport). Notable deals involvingthe firm over the past year includePepper Home Loans acquisition ofGE Money’s Irish mortgagebusiness; joint venture between

Partner and solicitor numbersare for Ireland only and aresourced from the Law SocietyDirectory 2012. Practicedescriptions are drawn fromthe law firms’ websites andsubmissions.

LISTING DATA Law FirmsWho’s Who

Ciarán Bolger is taking overfrom Eugene McCague aschairman of Arthur Coxthis May

Vodafone Ireland and ThreeIreland; Petroceltic’s merger withMelrose Resources; separation ofShannon Airport from the DublinAirport Authority; €1.1bn bondissue by ESB; examinership ofeircom; and acquisition of CooperIndustries by New Eaton Ltd.The firm has funded the new

position of McCann FitzGeraldChair of Corporate Law at TrinityCollege Dublin. “This reflects ourcommitment to the culture oflearning and continuousimprovement,” says ChairmanJohn Cronin. McCanns also fundsearly learning and legal aidprogrammes in the Docklandsarea where it is based. Inside thefirm, five new partners wereappointed while all 48 newqualifiers have been retained.

William Frywww.williamfry.iePartners/Solicitors: 164Managing Partner: Myra GarrettWilliam Fry is one of Ireland’s

largest corporate law firms andhas been firmly established in thetop tier for many decades. Clientsinclude many of the leadingglobal and domestic companiesoperating in Ireland, governmentbodies, financial institutions andentrepreneurs. Recent awardsinclude Law Firm of the Year 2012(Irish Law Awards); Best Firm forWomen in Business 2012(Euromoney Law Awards); MostInnovative Deal for the financialrestructuring of the Quinn Groupand sale of Quinn Insurance(Finance Dublin Awards). In thepast six months the firm hascreated 46 new positions, rangingfrom partner level through to 25new entrants into the TraineeProgramme. In September 2012,the firm opened an office inLondon headed by seniorcorporate partner, Stephen Keogh.“We are client focused, resultsdriven and consistently deliver anexcellent service,” says ManagingPartner Myra Garrett.

Mason Hayes & Curranww.mhc.iePartners/Solicitors: 134Managing Partner: EmerGilvarryMason Hayes & Curran says it isthe fastest-growing full-service lawfirm in Ireland with personnelnumbers and revenues doubling inthe last decade. The firm’s buoyantpractice areas span technology,financial services, energy,healthcare, employment, insolvencyand litigation. “At the very core ofour firm is a deep and intuitiveunderstanding of the technologysector and this spreads across avariety of practice areas, fromstrategic commercial agreementsto tax structures for large blue chiporganisations,” explains ManagingPartner, Emer Gilvarry. “Technologyis a competency that we havedeveloped over many decades bothin our work practices and legalservices. We see ourselves at theheart of the new economy, wherebusiness and technology connect.”

ByrneWallacewww.byrnewallace.comPartners/Solicitors: 95Managing Partner: CatherineGuyThe firm positions itself as apartner of choice for privatelyowned indigenous firms. “We havean extensive understanding of thismarket and the conditions in whichit operates,” says ManagingPartner Catherine Guy. “We haveworked with many companiessince their inception and some ofour clients have been with us forover 20 years, a strong testamentto the quality and adaptability ofour service offering.” In the pastyear, ByrneWallace has taken on anumber of junior and seniorsolicitors to meet the increasedlevels of activity. “We continue tobe very active in both generalbusiness advisory work and in thesmart economy sector,” says Guy.“Understanding what clients wantand need has never been more



Insurance, professional indemnity, defendant personal injury, health, commercial litigation and employment.

DAC Beachcroft Dublin is part of the DAC Beachcroft Group, a leading international law firm with coverage across the UK, Europe, Asia- Pacific, North and Latin America.

T: +353 1 231 9600 www.dacbeachcroft.com/dublin

DAC Beachcroft Dublin An International Law Firm in Dublin

Auckland · Birmingham · Bristol · Dublin · Edinburgh · Glasgow · Leeds · London · Madrid · Manchester Mexico City · Newcastle · Newport · Santiago · Singapore · Wellington · Winchester

Hughes & AssociatesSolicitors

� Commercial Litigation & Insolvency� Debt Recovery & Litigation� Corporate & Commercial� Bankruptcy Law� Employment Law

Hughes & Associates SolicitorsMeeting House Square13 Eustace Street

Dublin 2

Tel: 01 891 0020Fax: 01 891 0021

Web: www.hughessolicitors.ieEmail: [email protected]

important. Focusing on quality,efficiency and experience is a keypart of our service.”

Evershedswww.eversheds.iePartners/Solicitors: 74Managing Partner: Alan MurphyA full-service international lawfirm, Eversheds offers a range ofmulti-jurisdictional offerings across26 countries with a single point ofcontact. Practice areas includecorporate and commercial, lifesciences, banking, healthcare,employment, pensions, litigation,energy and funds. Firm-specificglobal products span companysecretarial services, internationalreal estate management services,and international data protectionmanagement services. In the pastyear the firm has appointed threenew partners: Darragh Blake

(banking and finance); PamelaO’Neill (commercial litigation); andIan Devlin (financial services andpensions). The firm has alsoformalised its data protection teamheaded by Kate Colleary.

Beauchampswww.beauchamps.iePartners/Solicitors: 70Managing Partner: JohnWhiteJohn White became managingpartner in September 2011. A fewmonths later the firm acquiredLandwell Solicitors, the Irishbranch of the internationalnetwork of corporate law firmsconnected to PwC. This year thefirm has acquired the practice ofFelix McTiernan Solicitors. The firmis in growth mode and over thepast two years the number ofsolicitors in Beauchamps hasincreased from 50 to 70.

Dillon Eustacewww.dilloneustace.iePartners/ Solicitors: 68Managing Partner: Mark ThorneThe firm’s key practice areasinclude financial services, banking,capital markets, corporate M&A,litigation, dispute resolution, realestate and taxation. The firm has aglobal outlook and reach withoffices in Dublin, Tokyo, HongKong and New York. The firm hasalso established an office in theCayman Islands, providingCayman law financial services andlitigation advice to its extensivefinancial services client base. Thefirm has been heavily involved inthe acquisition and financing ofvery significant non-performingloan and distressed loan portfoliosin the past 12 months andadvising numerous internationalclients in relation to acquisitionsof Irish corporates, real estate andfinancial assets.

Maples and Calderwww.maplesandcalder.comPartners/Solicitors: 64Managing Partner: AndrewDoyleMaples and Calder is the firstinternational law firm to seriouslytarget the full-service offerings ofthe large domestic firms. Maplesin Dublin now comprises over200 people and notabledevelopments in 2012 includedthe hiring of insurance litigatorPeter Lennon and the

establishment of an AdvocacyService, offering clients the optionof bypassing junior counsel incourt litigation. Says ManagingPartner Andrew Doyle: “Ourobjective in Ireland is not to bethe largest law firm; it is to be,and to be known as, the law firmof excellence in our chosen areasof expertise and we believe wedeliver on this objective. “

Ronan Daly Jermynwww.rdj.iePartners/Solicitors: 54Managing Partner: RichardMartinRonan Daly Jermyn has totalpersonnel of 150. It is the largestregional law firm in Ireland withoffices in Cork and Galway. RDJfirm represents local, nationaland international clients engagedin a wide range of activities, aswell as public sector bodies andgovernmental agencies. The mainareas of commercial practiceinclude corporate, M&A, inwardinvestment, IT and e-commerce,tax, intellectual property,employment, insolvency and debtrecovery, banking and finance,media, construction andprocurement, commercial property,litigation, insurance andprofessional indemnity. The firmreceived the Chambers EuropeClient Service Award for Irelandand was named Irish InsuranceLaw Firm of the Year 2012 byAcquisition International.


A new trend in law firms is Of Counsel, i.e. lawyers who areemployed but who are not partners or associates. AtBeauchamps, Felix McTiernan (right) has been appointedOf Counsel in the firm’s litigation practice. Also pictured isManaging Partner John White


Eugene F Collinswww.efc.iePartners/Solicitors: 52Managing Partner: Sean TwomeyTwo recent important partnerappointments at Eugene F Collinshave been Joanne Finn, head of theEU, Competition and RegulatedMarkets group, and SharonMcCaffrey, who specialises incorporate work. “These strategicappointments add to our capacityto provide first-class advice to ourclients and reflects the increase incorporate activity,” says ManagingPartner Sean Twomey. “Wecontinue to be involved in anumber of high-profile litigationcases.We have acted for virtuallyall accountants that take insolvencyappointments and we have beeninvolved in every significantinsolvency case this year.”

LK Shieldswww.lkshields.iePartners/Solicitors: 51Managing Partner: Hugh Garvey

The firm provides legal advice on allaspects of commercial-relatedventures and disputes. The work ofthe business, litigation and disputeresolution, and commercial propertydepartments are complemented bydedicated units in disciplinesincluding banking and financialservices; corporate restructuringand insolvency; employment,pensions and employee benefits;EU, competition and regulatedmarkets; intellectual property; andtechnology. Says Managing PartnerHugh Garvey: “Over the past yearour expertise, experience and focuson the provision of a high-qualityservice has served us well andassisted us to achieve somesignificant business wins. This yearwe celebrate 25 years in business.”

Hayes solicitorswww.hayes-solicitors.iePartners/Solicitors: 35Managing Partner: David PhelanHayes solicitors is a corporate andcommercial law firm, dealing also

in the areas of employment,media law, healthcare, propertyand family law. Managing PartnerDavid Phelan is a member of theBusiness Law Committee of theDublin Solicitors Bar Association,tutors in commercial law, is aregistered trade mark agent and amember of the BusinessOpportunities Task Force of DublinChamber of Commerce.

Holmes O’Malley Sextonwww.homs.iePartners/Solicitors: 32Managing Partner: Harry FehilyThe firm is based in Limerick andhas an office in Dublin, where thefirm is focused on expanding.

WhitneyMoorewww.whitneymoore.iePartners/Solicitors: 29Managing Partner: StephenWalkerWhitneyMoore is a well-established Dublin law firm with aculture of providing consistently

high-quality legal advice promptly,efficiently and cost effectively. Thefirm has particular expertise incorporate and commercial advice,employment, insolvency andcorporate recovery, intellectualproperty, litigation, private clientand property.WM is particularlyrecognised for its work in theautomotive, aviation, medicaldevices, pharmaceutical, renewableenergy, natural resources andtechnology sectors.

DAC Beachcroftwww.dacbeachcroft.comPartners/Solicitors: 25Managing Partner: Katie daGamaThe Dublin office of internationallaw firm DAC Beachcroft openedin March 2009 and has grown toits current size of 39 people,including 12 partners. The firmspecialises in insurance law,professional indemnity claims,injury matters, healthcare and


clinical risk, commercial litigationand employment law.

Lavelle Colemanwww.lavellecoleman.iePartners/Solicitors: 21Managing Partner: MichaelLavelleThe firm is renowned for itslitigation expertise, particularly classactions, covering various areas ofgeneral, professional negligenceand commercial litigation.Employment law is anotherspecialty, and general commercialwork. According to managingpartner Michael Lavelle: “The firmis receiving more and moreinstructions from banks and otherfinancial institutions. The firm’slitigation practice is continuing togrow and the firm has specialisedin many multi-party actions inrecent years.”

McDowell Purcellwww.mcdowellpurcell.iePartners/Solicitors: 20

Managing Partner: ThomasO’MalleyThe firm acts for financialinstitutions, professional regulatorybodies, public and privately ownedcompanies, property developers,renewable energy developers,liquidators, receivers and privateclients.

Walkers Irelandwww.walkersglobal.comPartners/Solicitors: 17Managing Partner: GarryFergusonWalkers was established in Dublinin 2010 and is part of a global lawfirm that has a presence in theBritish Virgin Islands, Delaware,Dubai, Hong Kong, Jersey, Londonand Singapore, with over 500 staffemployed. In Dublin, the primaryfocus is funds and financial services,including capital markets andaviation finance and relatedtaxation issues. The Dublin officehas eight partners, five Of Counseland 17 other fee earners.

Callan Tanseywww.callantansey.iePartners/Solicitors: 16Managing Partner: Brian GillCallan Tansey is the largest lawfirm in Connacht, employing 55people at its offices in Sligo andBoyle. Brian Gill has beenManaging Partner since October2011 and he says that thechanging face of the legal marketmeans that law firms have toradically evaluate the traditionalbusiness model that sustainedthem in times gone by. “Today’sclient is a more discerningcustomer and law firms mustadapt or face the consequences,”says Gill.

Orpen Frankswww.orpenfranks.iePartners/Solicitors: 12Managing Partner: Peter WalshThe firm’s activities centre on thelitigation, commercial andinsolvency arenas. It operates on afull-service basis and hasexpanded its services in the areaof insolvency and recovery, andsecurity enforcement. ManagingPartner Peter Walsh says the firm’skey attributes are capacity,responsiveness, accessibility,results and value.

O’Connor Solicitorswww.oclegal.iePartners/Solicitors: 11Managing Partner: John C.O’ConnorO’Connor Solicitors advisesnumerous professional bodies andalso has a broad range ofcommercial clients. The firm has aRegulatory Law department andincreased staff numbers to dealwith rising demand in theregulatory and employment lawpractice areas.

Kilroyswww.kilroys.iePartners/Solicitors: 10Managing Partner: JoanneGriffinKilroys is the Irish member firm ofthe International Alliance of LawFirms, an international associationof medium-sized commercial law

firms. “It has continued to beadvantageous to our clients doingbusiness outside Ireland in thatwe are able to refer them quicklyto colleagues in the Alliance,” saysthe firm’s new Managing Partner,Joanne Griffin. “It has also beenbeneficial for inward referralsfrom Alliance clients wishing to dobusiness in Ireland.”

McEvoy Partnerswww.mcevoypartners.iePartners/Solicitors: 10Managing Partners: OrlaithO’Brien, June HynesNiche commercial practice withexpertise in M&A, capital markets,insolvency, corporate restructuringand commercial litigation,particularly in banking andproperty-related matters.

Kane Tuohywww.kanetuohy.iePartners/Solicitors: 9Managing Partner: CómhnallTuohyThe firm says it is benefiting froma general appetite from thebusiness sector to resolve ordeal with individual issues, whichis providing some momentum inthe market and more businesspositivity. According to ManagingPartner Cómhnall Tuohy: “Wehave joined an international legalnetwork which has led to anexpansion in commercial enquiriesand activity. We have increasedturnover on a year-on-year basiswhile staff size has alsoincreased.”

Lemanwww.leman.iePartners/Solicitors: 9Managing Partner: LarryFenelonLeman was established in 2007.The firm has corporate andcommercial, commercial property,dispute resolution andemployment teams. It focuses onICT, data, sport, retail, education,professional services, landdevelopment and inwardinvestment. The firm has addedone partner, three solicitorsand one trainee in the last 12


months. It received the ‘Q’ Markin 2012 and received the ILO‘International Client Choice’award in 2013.

LKG Ballaghwww.lkgballagh.iePartners/Solicitors: 8Managing Partner: James FlynnLKG Ballagh was created in2012 by the merger of LKGSolicitors with partners in KMBSolicitors. The firm has acted oncomplex, high-value corporatetransactions and in 2012 advisedMainstream Renewable Power onvarious corporate transactions,including a €60m fundraise fromMacquarie Capital. “The firmpunches above its weight in thecalibre of its clients and thetransactions which it hashandled,” says corporate partnerNeil Keenan.

Hughes & Associateswww.hughessolicitors.iePartners/Solicitors: 3

Managing Partner: DanielHughesPrincipal Daniel Hughes is alitigation expert, particularly in theinsolvency arena. The practicerecently relocated to new officesclose to the Four Courts and hasupgraded its IT system. Hugheshas been shortlisted for the ‘SolePractitioner of the Year’ award atthe forthcoming Danske Bank IrishLaw Awards 2013.

Clerkin Lynchwww.clerkinlynch.comPartners: 2Partners: Niall Clerkin, KevinLynchThe firm is now in its fifth yearand reports another year ofgrowth. The firm has beeninvolved in a number of SupremeCourt Appeals this year inaddition to its continued growthin the commercial law aspect ofthe practice, which focuses onowner-led and family-ownedbusinesses.


OurBusiness

Your Business

Corporate & CommercialCorporate RecoveryCommercial Disputes& Litigation

Intellectual PropertyEmployment LawPrivate ClientProperty

Contact: Stephen Walker, Therese Rochford or Mark Ryan

Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland

T: +353 1 611 0000 F: +353 1 611 0090

E: [email protected] W: www.whitneymoore.ie

is

Crowley Millarwww.crowleymillar.com

Doherty Ryanwww.dohertyryan.com

Eames Solicitorswww.eames.ie

Flynn O’Driscollwww.fod.ie

Gartlan Fureywww.gartlanfurey.ie

Gleeson McGrath Baldwinwww.gmgb.ie

Gore & Grimeswww.goregrimes.ie

Hayes McGrathwww.hayesmcgrath.ie

Holohan Solicitorswww.holohanlaw.com

Holme Roberts & Owenwww.hro.ie

Ivor Fitzpatrick & Co.www.ivorfitzpatrick.ie

McGuire Desmondwww.mcguiredesmond.com

McKeever Rowanwww.mckr.ie

Murray Flynn Maguirewww.murrayflynn.ie

Noel Smyth & Partnerswww.nspartners.ie

O’Rourke Reidwww.orourkereid.com

Philip Leewww.philiplee.ie

Reddy Charlton McKnightwww.rcmck.com

Vincent Beatty & Cowww.vblaw.ie

Waters & Associateswww.watersandassociates.ie

William J Brennan & Co.www.williamjbrennan.com

Other Law FirmsWith Commercial Focus

Leman Solicitors, 8-34 Percy Place, Dublin 4Tel: +353 1 639 3000 www.leman.ie

INNOVATIVE

COST EFFECTIVE

SPECIALISTS� International Business� ICT� Retail� Sport� Professional Services� Education� Land Development

SERVICES� Business� Property� Disputes� Employment

WHY US?

‘I don’t expect a dramatic recovery ‘We are better at ...whitneymoore.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013+edition.20-35.pdf · ‘I don’t expect a dramatic recovery ... Callan

Documents