Competition/European Law
Europe Guide 2024 : Ireland
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+353 1 829 0000About
Provided by McCann FitzGerald LLP
Our Antitrust and Competition Group works across our Brussels and Dublin offices and is widely recognised as being at the forefront of this practice area in Ireland.
First established over 30 years ago, our group has a track record for precedent-setting wins in both merger control and contentious competition law cases, including in litigation before the Irish Supreme Court and the European Courts. We also pioneered the use of competitive effects analysis and economic evidence and testimony.
We advise on the full range of antitrust and competition matters, including merger clearance, “dominant firm" issues, cartel defence, state aid, sector regulation and EU law issues such as free movement, public procurement and customs.
Our clients include major multinational companies, state-owned operators, regulated utilities, small and medium enterprises and trade and representative associations. We also act for regulatory bodies, including the European Commission and the Commission for Communications Regulation, and for government departments.
We are the only Irish group to include lawyers with previous, high-level public enforcement experience at the Irish enforcement agency, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (the “CCPC”).
Chambers Review
McCann FitzGerald often assists clients with obtaining competition law clearance for proposed mergers. The law firm also represents clients in investigations into possible cartels or allegations of abuse of dominance, as well as in follow-on damages actions. The team also offers experience in advising on state aid matters. It often acts for public bodies and pharmaceutical companies.
Work Highlights
- McCann FitzGerald advised AIB on the competition law aspects of its proposed acquisition of assets from Ulster Bank.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"McCann is excellent at quickly getting on top of complex competition issues, and devising strategies to address them."
"McCann is always on the ball, and pulls out all the stops to get the job done."
"The team has a good awareness of other factors such as deal risk, which it tailors its own strategies around."
"The team is quick and efficient and always available."
"McCann is excellent at quickly getting on top of complex competition issues, and devising strategies to address them."
"McCann is always on the ball, and pulls out all the stops to get the job done."
"The team has a good awareness of other factors such as deal risk, which it tailors its own strategies around."
"The team is quick and efficient and always available."
Notable Practitioners
Laura Treacy enters the rankings this year on the back of a broad practice in competition law. Her work covers merger clearance filings, behavioural investigations and state aid mandates.
"Laura Treacy is a fabulous antitrust lawyer. She is very good on the details and has very strong antitrust knowledge."
"Laura is a real pleasure to work with. She is smart and engaging, and takes the time to think through the case strategy upfront."
"Laura's experience of navigating tricky cases really shines through when needing to adapt or change tack."