William Fry LLP has an established EU and competition practice, achieving further prominence in merger control cases and is noted for its experience in negotiating remedies with the CCPC. The firm also has a significant presence in CCPC and European Commission investigations and follow-on damages actions. Moreover, it has extensive knowledge of state aid, public procurement, trade and regulatory issues. The team has three partners at the helm. Cormac Little SC is one of the top names in the EU and competition field in Ireland, while Claire Waterson is at the forefront of state aid, public procurement and regulatory matters. Sheila Tormey is further noted for merger control and regulatory issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘William Fry is the go-to firm in Ireland and has earned this title for many years in all fields of antitrust. They are pragmatic, efficient and solution-oriented.’
‘ I would like to mention Sheila Tormey. who has led major Phase 2 remedies merger control cases in the last year. She is a market leader in merger control.'
'This is a very good practice, led by the extremely capable Cormac Little SC and the resourceful and focused Claire Waterson amongst others. They have now become statespersons in the competition world.'
'Cormac Little SC and Claire Waterson would be stand-out in any jurisdiction. They possess huge intellectual capital and client-facing capabilities.'
'They give user-friendly, timely advice - have been impressed by them'
'Cormac Little SC is my go-to competition lawyer in Ireland - in my mind the number one in the country. He gives really good advice -- both practical and commercial.'
Key clients
- Coimisiún na Meán
- Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
- FUJIFILM
- Glanbia Co-Operative Society
- EirGrid plc
- Davy
- Uniphar plc
- Enterprise Ireland
- Partners Group
- DCC plc/Flogas/Emo Oil
- Phoenix Group Holdings
- SOLAS
- Uniphar plc
- A high profile multi-national tech company
- Irish Rugby Football Union
- Phoenix Group Holdings plc
- A major truck manufacturer
- Irish Life Group
- East Cork Oil
- Valero (Energy) Ireland Limited
- Cardinal Carlyle Ireland Fund (CCIF) and The City Bin Co
- DFDS
- Six mussel producers (Loch Garman Harbour Mussels Limited, TL Mussels Limited, Crescent Seafood Limited, River Bank Mussels Limited, WD Shellfish Limited and Fjord Fresh Mussels Limited)
- Aurivo
- Tesco Ireland
- Dense Air Ireland
- A number of leading multinational tech clients (confidential)
Work highlights
- Advised Uniphar plc on merger control aspects of its acquisition of McCauley Chemist and on its proposed acquisition of NaviCorp, both remedies cases.
- Advised Irish Life Group on the creation of a joint venture between Irish Life Wellbeing Limited and Centric Health Primary Care Limited (EUMR unconditional Phase 1 approval).
- Advised CCIF / The City Bin Co on the sale of The City Bin Co to Thorntons Recycling, a Phase 2 remedies case.
Lawyers
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Practice head
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Cormac Little SC