William Fry is a leader in the area of corporate and commercial law transactions and advisory work.  We play a central role in the majority of the largest, most complex and sophisticated deals in Irish business, in addition to cross border and international deals with an Irish aspect. Where contentious issues arise for clients we work with our Corporate and M&A and Commercial practices to ensure our clients’ interests are protected.  

We have a complete range of experience including: - 

• financial services related disputes
• company law disputes
• shareholder/asset purchase/joint venture disputes
• mergers and acquisitions disagreements
• investigations and inquiries under the Companies Act
• commercial contracts including distribution arrangements, commercial agencies and franchising agreements

Clients consistently describe us as assertive and solution-oriented. Our reputation is borne out by our experience - we have represented clients in the majority of significant commercial disputes to come before the Commercial Court since it was established in 2004.  

We are assertive and solution-oriented whether it is in managing complex or high profile litigation before the Courts or sensitive commercial issues in an alternative dispute resolution setting through conciliation, mediation or arbitration.  Our strength is our experience.

Our experience includes acting for/advising:

DCC Group plc in the first civil insider dealing case to come before the Irish Courts which was appealed to the Supreme Court.

Menolly Homes in relation to Commercial Court Proceedings concerning a dispute regarding a joint venture agreement.

AA (Alternative Advantage) plc in proceedings against HSBC being conducted in the Commercial Court seeking the recovery of in excess of US$100 million entrusted by Alternative Advantage investors to HSBC as custodian and which HSBC in turn sub-custodied to Bernard Madoff.

Nortel Networks Ireland Limited in acting for the joint administrators for major restructuring of this Group on a global scale.

Bula Limited in acting for the Receiver in longest running receivership in the State.  The final phase of litigation was heard in the Supreme Court in January 2009 concluding extremely complex Commercial Litigation spanning 25 years.

Hartside Limited in the pursuit of High Court (Commercial List) proceedings against Heineken Ireland Limited arising from a Joint Venture Agreement between the parties.

A leading Irish pharmacy group in the defence of arbitration proceedings arising from a commercial agreement between the parties.  The Claimant is seeking specific performance of the agreement.

Department

Sources say: “One hell of a practice. It got to grips with the practicalities and was a great sounding board for bouncing ideas off.” “I always feel as if I am the centre of attention and that I am a valued client.”
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Dispute Resolution

William Fry is ‘top class’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2013 - Dispute Resolution

Sources say: "William Fry always delivers, and will always exceed our expectations."
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Dispute Resolution

William Fry provides "a practical yet innovative approach".
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Dispute Resolution

Headed up by Owen O'Sullivan…the team..provides a "more rounded service than many other firms".
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – Dispute Resolution

Clients say the firm's handling of complex litigation is "outstanding in terms of support, guidance and advice", and also praise it for its "exceptional liaison with the market's top barristers".
Chambers Global, 2010 – Dispute Resolution

Team

Owen O'Sullivan

'Very bright’ practice head Owen O’Sullivan is ‘an insightful strategic thinker’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2013 - Dispute Resolution

Owen O'Sullivan "really knows his stuff, is always well briefed, and is efficient and easy to deal with.”
Chambers Global 2013 - Dispute Resolution

Owen O’Sullivan is "understated, calm and a good strategic thinker".
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Dispute Resolution

Department head Owen O'Sullivan is acknowledged as an “exceptionally good litigator, and hugely commercial.”
Chambers Global, 2012 - Dispute Resolution

The extremely well-regarded Owen O'Sullivan.."always resolves matters to the commercial satisfaction of his clients", and brings "a practical, level head to proceedings".
Chambers Global, 2010 – Dispute Resolution

"Praised for ‘instilling comfort through his measured approach to matters’"
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – Dispute Resolution

Owen O'Sullivan continues to be regarded as one of Dublin’s top litigators. “He has an excellent grasp of the facts in any case and is good at thinking on his feet,” say clients.
Chambers Europe, 2009 – Dispute Resolution

Carol Plunkett

Carol Plunkett is widely acclaimed as “just brilliant. She has fantastic expertise in both intellectual property and commercial litigation.”
Chambers Global 2013 - Dispute Resolution

Carol Plunkett is unanimously described as "a leading light".
Chambers Global, 2010 – Dispute Resolution

The team also includes ‘very experienced and calm’ IP specialist Carol Plunkett.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – Dispute Resolution

IP specialist Carol Plunkett acts for a range of pharmaceutical and energy clients, primarily on patent matters, and particularly impresses sources with her knowledge of aviation, telecoms and regulatory law. She is “pragmatic and extremely capable on the tactical aspects of a case, and can turn her hand to almost anything in litigation”.
Chambers Europe, 2009 - Dispute Resolution

Michael Quinn

"Smart operator" Michael Quinn is a leading figure.
Chambers Global, 2010 – Dispute Resolution

Michael Quinn handles corporate recovery work only, in which observers agree he is “very knowledgeable, effective and personable – he always has his sights set firmly on the ultimate objective”.
Chambers Europe, 2009 - Dispute Resolution

Garrett Breen

The ‘determined and focused’ Garrett Breen.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2013 - Dispute Resolution

Garrett Breen is hailed as a "creative lawyer who looks at all the different angles and is able to help us build a superb case."
Chambers Global 2013 - Dispute Resolution

William Fry bolstered its regulatory offering in 2009 through the hire of Garrett Breen, formerly managing partner of Landwell Solicitors.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – Dispute Resolution

In 2009 the firm welcomed commercial litigation specialist Garrett Breen, former managing partner at Landwell, to the disputes team.
Chambers Europe, 2009 - Dispute Resolution

Barry Cahir

Barry Cahir has a reputation amongst market sources as a skilled and solid commercial litigator.
Chambers Global 2013 - Dispute Resolution

Barry Cahir is also respected for general commercial litigation expertise and is a "highly efficient practitioner who really cares about the client relationship".  He is a strong contributor to the firm's restructuring and insolvency practice.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – Dispute Resolution

Barry Cahir is praised as a rising star and particularly commended for his efforts on corporate recovery. “He gives good feedback and makes himself available”, said one client.
Chambers Europe, 2009 - Dispute Resolution

Fiona Barry

Clients value Fiona's input, praising her as being “receptive to our needs. She supports and assists our clients.”
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Dispute Resolution

As one of Ireland's top full service law firms, dispute resolution work is undertaken in numerous specialist areas, including medical negligence and defamation, where Fiona Barry is said to be "gaining a great following."
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – Dispute Resolution

Several sources commented that Fiona Barry, who specialises in medical negligence cases, "will continue to rise in people's estimations".
Chambers Europe, 2009 - Dispute Resolution

Fergus Doorly

Fergus specialises in all areas of practice relating to insolvency and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience in advising liquidators, receivers, and examiners of companies. He also advises creditors, directors and shareholders of insolvent companies.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2009 – Dispute Resolution

Margaret Muldowney

Margaret Muldowney is well liked by her clients, who comment: “We are incredibly impressed with her. She is bright, switched-on and receptive.”
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Dispute Resolution