Our Retail & Leisure Group acts for a large number of the leading international retailers and leisure brands with operations in Ireland and for specialist Irish providers. The Group is comprised of experts from a number of our practice areas such as Corporate and M&A, Intellectual Property, Employment & Benefits, Licensing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Property and Tax. Our lawyers offer an in-depth understanding of the specific requirements of retail operators.
Areas of expertise include:
- Advertising & marketing arrangements
- Competition & Regulation
- Copyright Protection
- Distribution Agreements
- Establishing branches in Ireland
- Employment law issues
- Franchising
- Landlord & Tenant matters
- Licensing Agreements
- Management of Trade Mark Portfolios
- Merchandising /Franchising /Agency /Distribution Agreements
- Passing Off Actions & Trade Mark Disputes
- Pension Scheme structuring
- Property Acquisition
The knowledge and experience, and the relationships we have built up over years of commitment to retail enable us to offer highly strategic and commercial advice to clients doing business in Ireland or looking to take their brand or product into international markets.
Our experience includes acting for/advising:
HMV on its acquisition of five Zavvi music stores in Ireland from the provisional liquidator who agreed to operate these shops pending mergers approval.
Tesco on the roll out of its Tesco Express stores in Ireland, 7 of which were opend in the last 12 months.
Dunnes Stores in the successful Supreme Court appeal of Berber v Dunnes Stores. The Supreme Court overturned the judgment of the High Court granting damages for wrongful dismissal and in respect of personal injury.
Gap on the opening of its first stand alone flagship stores in Dundrum Town Centre and Opera Avenue, Cork
IKEA International on the procurement of its new 30,000 sq metre store in Ballymun, Dublin IKEA’s first store in the Republic of Ireland.
Jacob Fruitfield Foods Limited in search and seizure orders in respect of alleged infringement of trade-marked groceries.
Debenhams on the acquisition of the Roches Stores department store.
Keelings, one of Europe’s largest fruit and vegetable distributors, on the proceedings relating to the Plant Breeders’ Regulations.
Omniplex Cinemas Limited in proceedings with the Irish Musical Rights Organisation (IMRO) concerning royalty payments by cinema operators.
Red Bull on the protection of its brand identity against new competitors in the market.
Boots in High Court proceedings against the Minister for Health and Children and others arising from amendments to the Advanced Payment Scheme.
Department
William Fry’s team is at ‘a different level to other firms’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Real Estate
The highly thought of Andrew Muckian leads the team at William Fry, which is 'immensely strong technically’, but ‘also has a pragmatism and commerciality that is valuable’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - Real Estate
William Fry is singled out for its ‘enthusiastic commitment to any project undertaken’.
Legal 500 EMEA 2010 – Real Estate
William Fry boasts lawyers of ‘the highest calibre’, according to clients.
Legal 500 EMEA 2009 – Real Estate
According to commentators, this group has reinforced its position as a market leader in real estate: “It's a thorough, assured service filled with fantastic individuals,” says one. Working closely with the projects and finance teams, it provides “top-quality advice, sound judgement and commerciality.”
Chambers Europe 2009 – Real Estate
Team
Andrew Muckian
Practice head Andrew Muckian is widely praised for his ‘overall knowledge and attention to detail’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Real Estate
'Andrew Muckian is viewed as one of the key reasons for the team's success'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Real Estate
‘Market leader’ Andrew Muckian is respected for ‘getting the job done with no fuss’.
Legal 500 EMEA 2010
Clients single out Andrew Muckian as 'one of the top four property lawyers in Dublin'.
Legal 500 EMEA 2009
Andrew Muckian is 'an excellent operator who isn’t fazed by anything,' say clients.
Chambers Europe 2009
Edward Spain
Edward Spain is described as 'a strong negotiator who is unwavering in his adherence to the client's wishes.'
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Real Estate
'Edward Spain has a strong reputation in the field'.
Legal 500 EMEA 2010
'He’s incredibly focused on the result and his work is exceptional.'
Chambers Europe 2009
Nora White
Nora White is 'very well regarded by sources for her work on major developments and is particularly strong in the retail industry'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Real Estate
'Nora White has a strong reputation in the field'.
Legal 500 EMEA 2010
Nora White leads on much of the team’s retail work. “She’s immensely experienced with international retailers and is excellent on lease negotiations,” said one observer.
Chambers Europe 2009
David Cullen
David Cullen is ‘one of the best in the business’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012
David Cullen is considered ‘outstanding’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010
Ken Casey
Ken Casey is recommended for his ‘client focused approach’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010