Europe - Ireland

McCann FitzGerald LLP

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The team at McCann FitzGerald LLP regularly handles a wide variety of matters concerning cybersecurity, data protection and privacy policies. the group assists an array of national and international technology companies and public sector entities with GDPR compliance. Paul Lavery oversees the team and has in-depth expertise in assisting clients with all data protection obligations, including compliance strategies and data transfers outside the EEA. Adam Finlay regularly acts as an EU GDPR representative for non-EU companies, while Doug McMahon assists clients with personal data breaches and statutory investigations brought by the Data Protection Commission.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘McCann FitzGerald has a very strong data privacy practice - in my view, the best in Ireland. All of the partners in the group are excellent practitioners in the area and have significant experience. In addition, the other members are also very well-versed and have benefited from high-quality training and from working with the more senior lawyers. We also have a very collaborative relationship with the firm, which has assisted us in providing dedicated resources to cover various types of gaps in our internal team.’
  • ‘Paul Lavery is an exceptional data privacy lawyer, knowledgeable, approachable and pragmatic. He understands the needs of our business but also where we need to go to ensure compliance. He is top-notch and easy to work with. Another lawyer of a very high calibre is Catherine Walsh.’
  • ‘The team is well-liked for its pragmatic approach. It listens to our instructions and what we want to achieve from the engagement, which it has always delivered.’
  • ‘Adam Finlay is outstanding. He returns calls promptly, gives real-world, clear, succinct advice and is calm and pragmatic.’
  • ‘Our experience with the team has been positive - they are responsive and collaborative and always ensure to be efficient in delivering the end product. Both partners and associates are excellent and ensure to respond to queries promptly.’
  • ‘The partners and associates are MCF stand out for their responsiveness and agility to deal with the legal issues that arise. Paul Lavery is very effective in terms of delivering the legal product promptly. The team are also good at communicating with clients and ensuring that clients are kept up-to-date. The team have strong industry knowledge and can offer very practical advice.’

Key clients

  • Alkermes
  • Ervia
  • Law Society
  • Corporate Transaction Support
  • Transport Infrastructure Ireland
  • International Law Firms
  • Start Mortgages
  • Navi Group
  • Vhi
  • GDPR Representative Services
  • National Transport Authority
  • Rehab Group
  • Flac

Work highlights

  • Advised Alkermes on a wide variety of data protection matters including its international data transfers project, notifications to the Data Protection Commission in relation to data security incidents, updates to notices and policies.
  • Advised Transport Infrastructure Ireland on all aspects of its data protection compliance, including drafting and negotiating data processing provisions in contracts for various large scale procurements.
  • Advised Vhi on a wide range of cutting-edge digital health and technology matters, which has included advising on complex data protection issues arising in connection with information sharing in the context of Vhi’s regulatory framework.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Paul Lavery

Paul Lavery

Hall of fameMcCann FitzGerald LLP

Paul is the head of the firm’s Technology and Innovation Group and advises on a wide range of information technology, data protection, intellectual property, confidentiality and freedom of information issues. He advises on the supply and implementation of new IT systems, the licensing of software and the ownership, exploitation and licensing of intellectual property rights. Paul drafts and negotiates cutting-edge technology supply and implementation agreements and IT outsourcing agreements with a key focus on mobilisation, business transformation and key performance elements as well as exit management. Paul is a leading  expert on data protection and advises a large number of private sector entities and public bodies on their data protection obligations under existing and prospective  data protection law, including advising on subject access requests, data security incidents, marketing obligations and consents, record retention matters, data protection notices, policies and privacy statements, data controller and data processor registrations as well as solutions to facilitate the transfer of data outside the EEA. Paul is heavily involved in advising a number of private sector and public sector clients on their prospective obligations under the EU General Data Protection Regulation, including carrying out data protection assessments and audits and completing data inventories in order to advise clients on what changes to processing activities, data protection notices and agreements etc to ensure compliance with GDPR. Paul regularly advises on the legal implications of transacting on-line and related consumer protection issues. Paul also advises a number of international clients on their distribution, franchise and sales agency arrangements. In the area of freedom of information, Paul regularly acts for public bodies and private entities. He advises public bodies in respect of their compliance obligations in connection with the Freedom of Information Acts in dealing with access requests, advising on applicable exemptions and dealing with appeals to the Information Commissioner. Paul also advises public bodies and private entities on the application and scope of the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations. As a leading expert on the law of confidentiality, Paul regularly advises clients on confidentiality obligations and the drafting of appropriate confidentiality agreements and secrecy protocols. Paul is the author of Commercial Secrets: The Action for Breach of Confidence in Ireland (Round Hall/ Sweet & Maxwell, 1996), the first and only Irish work on the topic. The book has been quoted in judgments in the Irish Supreme Court.

Leading individuals

Adam Finlay

McCann FitzGerald LLP

Adam is a partner in the firm’s Technology & Innovation Group and advises on a wide range of information technology, intellectual property, data protection, freedom of information, confidentiality and sports law issues. He has particular expertise in relation to the protection and commercialisation of intellectual property, including drafting and negotiating assignment, licensing, collaboration, technology transfer, franchising, distribution, agency, sponsorship and naming rights agreements and advising on brand protection strategy, advertising and product placement. He is also a registered trade mark agent. On the technology side, Adam drafts and negotiates software licences, services agreements and outsourcing agreements and advises on legal issues in connection with transacting online and dealing with consumers. In the area of rights and obligations in relation to information, he regularly advises clients in the public and private sectors on data protection, freedom of information, access to information on the environment, open data and confidentiality matters.

Next Generation Partners

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Paul Lavery

Other key lawyers

Catherine Walsh, Adam Finlay, Doug McMahon