William Fry LLP's practice is known for its skill in handling energy projects for multinational clients. The team's recent caseload includes acquisitions, infrastructure investment and project financing. The team is noted for its capabilities in renewable energy, hydrocarbons and natural resources sector. Practice head Fergus Devine has particular expertise in solar and wind farm projects, advising individuals, utilities and local energy companies. Jarleth Heneghan has deep knowledge of construction contracts, while Liam McCabe focuses on infrastructure projects. Cassandra Byrne regularly assists clients with both contentious and non-contentious construction and project related matters. Máire O’Neill is a key name within the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team is uniquely positioned to give excellent advice due to their vast experience and outstanding capabilities. The team is looking to achieve the outcome in as efficient a way as possible.’
- ‘I have worked closely with Fergus Devine in the energy team. He has vast industry knowledge and experience and can apply that to current matters and areas. He is incredibly hardworking, attentive and dedicated. His drafting and advice are first-rate and set the standard in deals amongst respective teams. In negotiations, he can anticipate and deal with issues well before they become visible to others. I cannot recommend Fergus Devine highly enough.’
- ‘Fergus Devine is approachable, operates as part of the team, explains complex legal issues in plain language and offers expertise relevant to the assignment whilst fully understanding the client requirements.’
- ‘The William Fry team are very client-responsive and have in-depth knowledge of the evolving energy regulatory landscape in Ireland.’
- ‘Extremely hard working and detail focused with excellent corporate understanding.’
- ‘Extremely focused and hard working with an excellent understanding of the corporate aspects of the transaction.’
- ‘William Fry was very knowledgeable about areas relating to energy and natural resources, to potential wider issues that can impact a transaction. They provided a good explanation as to why specific issues should be considered and how to resolve these if they arose.’
- ‘We worked with Máire O'Neill, in particular, who was very friendly, knowledgeable and approachable. I felt that Máire had a very good understanding of our business and the transaction and advised on potential issues we had not thought about before meeting with her.’
Key clients
- AIB plc
- Amarenco Group
- Aughinish Alumina
- Bord na Móna
- Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners
- Certa Ireland
- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
- Dasos Foaraois Management Limited
- DCC plc Energy Division
- DECC- Department of Energy Climate & Communications
- Department for the Economy
- DIF Capital Partners
- Digital Realty Trust
- Echelon Data Centres
- EirGrid plc
- Element Investments
- EngineNode
- European Investment Bank
- FuturEnergy
- Gresham House Asset Management
- Irish Life Assurance Plc
- Jolt Energy Holdings
- Lightsource BP
- Silicon Valley Bank
- Skyborne Renewables Offshore Solutions Gmbh
- SSE plc
- Suretank Group Limited
- Valero Energy Ireland
- Voltalia
Work highlights
- Advised EirGrid on all aspects of its €800m financing of the Celtic Interconnector Project to design and build a 700MW submarine high voltage direct current, interconnection link between the electricity grids in Ireland and France.
- Advised EirGrid on the procurement of circa 450 MW of Emergency Generation arrangements to ensure electricity security of supply for Ireland.
- Advised Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners on the acquisition by its fund, Copenhagen Infrastructure IV K/S, of 50% of Statkraft A/S’ offshore wind portfolio in Ireland.
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.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Fergus Devine