Employment

Arthur Cox

Arthur Cox provides a rounded offering, handling the full gamut of employment law issues, including transactional, litigious, and regulatory matters. On the non-contentious side, the firm is deeply experienced in advising on the employment aspects of high value stake-acquisitions and investments for a diverse roster of both private and public entities. It also regularly assists with HR issues and industrial disputes, as well as compliance with redundancy-related obligations. Practice head Kevin Langford has expertise in representing clients before the civil courts, Labour Courts and the Workplace Relations Commission with regard to discrimination, pensions, and health and safety. Séamus Given has over three decades of experience advising on the full spectrum of disputes with employees and trade unions alike. Well versed in employer-trade union and employer-employee relationships respectively, Cian Beecher and Louise O’Byrne are key practitioners to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Séamus Given - recognised as the standout employment lawyer in the Irish market for many years. Unrivalled experience and expertise and a pleasure to work with. Louise O'Byrne - very impressive. All over the detail and delivers advice calmly and confidently.’
‘The employment unit of Arthur cox is the only unit that we use for employment matters in the RoI. We have a high level of knowledge in employment law matters internally and when we have a question, it is usually complex and sometimes reasonably novel. In this context, Arthur Cox have the expertise at the requisite level to be able to discuss it through with us, towards getting to the best solution.’
‘We usually deal with Kevin Langford who is one of the foremost employment solicitors in Ireland. Kevin is reflective, thorough and practical and works with us towards getting the best solution or outcome.’
‘Arthur Cox Employment Law team are the best in the Irish market by some distance and for some time. Séamus Given and his team are outstanding in terms of their insight and angles to assist employers in managing challenging employment situations.’
‘Séamus Given - best in the business by some distance - the Oracle of the Irish market. Huge capacity to always make you feel like you are his No 1 client. Louise O'Byrne - outstanding insight, incredibly responsive.'
‘They are collaborative, inclusive and down to earth. The ability to push back on the client at times is important and they do so but in a measured way! Louise O'Byrne is a stand out as is Séamus Given. The Associate Sarah Faulkner is excellent.’
‘I have experience of working with many large Irish and US law firms over a 25 year career in HR & Industrial Relations. Arthur Cox is the standout. Staffed by thoroughly agreeable people, one finds the knowledge and intellectual horsepower expected at such firms in abundance. When combined with the acuity, energy and responsiveness that characterizes Arthur Cox's employment law team, it serves to make them the most impressive I have dealt with.’
‘In my 25 years operating as a Senior HR professional in the multinational sector in Ireland and abroad, Kevin Langford is the best Legal Counsel I have dealt with. While possessing the depth of knowledge, responsiveness and intellect that a client expects from those operating at partner level, it is his strategic mindset, his ability to find "the best way through" the most complex of issues and his collegiality that sets him apart.'

Key clients

Aer Lingus
Blackrock Fund Advisors
Greencore
Coca-Cola
CRH plc
Dole Plc
Flutter Entertainment
Glanbia plc
Dublin City University
Maynooth University
National University of Ireland, Galway
Trinity College Dublin
University College Cork
University College Dublin
University of Limerick
Uisce Éireann
Vodafone
Wayflyer
Greencore
Musgrave
Alkermes
Grafton Group
AA
Applegreen
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
Avilease
Endo Operations Limited
Element Fleet Management
Regeneron

Work highlights

Advised CRH plc on the Irish employment aspects of the sale of its European lime businesses in Germany, the Czech Republic, Ireland, the UK, and Poland to Sigma Roc plc.
Advised Alkermes plc on all Irish employment law aspects of the sale of its development and manufacturing Athlone facility, along with certain other assets and liabilities, to Novo Nordisk.
Advised Flutter Entertainment plc on the employment aspects of various transactions, including its acquisition of a 51% stake in MaxBet for a cash consideration of €141m (£123m) and 32.5% stake in Junglee Games and BeyondPlay Ltd.

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