Cormac is a Partner and head of William Fry’s Competition & Regulation Department, specialising in EU and Irish competition, merger control and public procurement rules. He advises on the compatibility of business arrangements with EU and Irish competition laws and has represented clients in antitrust investigations by both the European Commission and the Irish Competition Authority and in proceedings before the European and Irish courts. Cormac has also secured regulatory approval from the Authority regarding many high-profile corporate transactions. He also advises both public bodies and disappointed bidders regarding challenges to contract decisions under public procurement rules. Cormac also has a broader regulatory focus. He advises clients on complying with anti-money laundering rules and on 'white-collar' crime issues.
Recent significant work include advising:
- Uniphar, a major Irish pharmaceutical wholesaler, on the acquisition of its rival, Cahill May Roberts. This '3 to 2' merger was unconditionally cleared by the Authority following a Phase II investigation
- Aughinish Alumina in its challenge to a European Commission State and decision. Cormac pleaded Aughinish's case before the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the EU
- Jacob Fruitfield Food Group on the notification of its acquisition by Valeo Foods to the Authority. This merger of two of Ireland’s main biscuit suppliers was cleared without conditions in Phase I
Cormac Little is 'great at dealing with clients and other firms – it is a real pleasure to work with him,' says a source of Chambers Europe, 2013. According to Legal 500 EMEA, 2013, Cormac ‘consistently gives precise and business-savvy advice’. He is held in high regard by sources of Chambers Europe, 2012...'he literally wrote the book on public procurement'. Legal 500 EMEA, 2012, describes Cormac as ‘business-friendly yet meticulous’. According to the 2011 edition, Cormac is ‘technically excellent’ and ‘user friendly’. In Chambers Europe, 2011, Cormac is praised for 'his responsive and businesslike attitude and his ability to turn work around quickly'. In Chambers Europe, 2010, it is reported that clients say he is an ‘unassuming, low-key lawyer, who quietly gets the work done with great efficiency'. Cormac is listed in Global Competition Review's 'International Who's Who of Competition Lawyers and Economists 2013' and also, the 'International Who's Who of Business Lawyers 2012'.