David Hickey
Mason Hayes & Curran LLPMason Hayes & Curran LLP has a large, multidisciplinary team with an excellent record in both healthcare and life sciences. The highly-specialised team covers a range of sub-sectors, notably medical litigation, healthcare and life sciences IP, corporate healthcare and life sciences, product liability and healthcare governance and regulation. It continues to defend clients against high-value clinical negligence claims and has a major market share of cases before the Cervical Check Tribunal. Martin Kelleher is a standout practitioner in corporate life sciences transactions. Kevin Power, a former doctor and surgeon, heads the healthcare and medical team, while Michaela Herron leads the life sciences regulatory team. Ciara Deasy and Mark McCabe have been promoted to partner. David Hickey and Katie McAuliffe are rising stars.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Katie McAuliffe, who is a senior associate, manages a good number of cases. I would describe Katie as extremely knowledgeable. She is professional, yet empathetic. She has a calming reassuring manner with clinicians. She also understands that there is a human factor on both sides to the cases she manages. Katie also investigates her cases so well. She is absolutely forensic, which I love.’
‘I am in constant contact with Keelin Cowhey and David Hickey, who are both passionate, professional and supportive in all of their interactions. I co-ordinate legal matters for a hospital, however I do not have a legal background. I have been so appreciative of Keelin and Davids support in assisting me in understanding the processes we are both involved in, their patience and consistent communication have enabled me to learn and grow in my own role. Unlike other firms that I also deal with, MHC provide a superior level of customer service which I how found invaluable.’
‘Kevin Power has outstanding medical knowledge and can get through the most complex cases very quickly converting the most technical aspects of a case to understandable instructions. Gemma Coady is the most experienced birth injury practitioner that I know. Keelin Cowhey has experience of hundreds of medical cases and has outstanding instincts in terms of knowing how a case will pan out. Jennifer Henry brings experience from prior firms and a spread of knowledge across litigation and products that really assists.’
‘MHC is highly pragmatic in its approach. Cuts down complexities into solutions. MHC is very relationship driven so really strong with clients and with service providers such as counsel. There is a great balance between youth and experience, they seem to have the team thing down so younger associates are let flourish, brought on but experienced partners keep an eye but in a light touch, highly effective way. Good electronic briefing systems. Very user friendly, happy firm to deal with.’
‘All the partners are excellent, with Kevin Power, Ciara Deasy and Mark McCabe being excellent members of the younger generation. Among the associates, David Hickey stands out for his attention to detail and hard work. He gets on very well with clients and the doctors he represents and has an excellent and sympathetic touch in difficult cases, such as coroners’ matters.’
‘Keelin Cowhey is a very impressive solicitor who is an integral part of the team which is led by Kevin Power. All of the solicitors I work with are capable and it is obvious from their work that they are well supported.’
‘Brian Horkan is hands on, collaborative, and clearly provides great leadership and support to his team. Katie Bermingham-Thomas is exceptionally professional, hardworking, and competent. She's great to work with because she's on top of every case and it always runs smoothly with her.'
‘Ciara Deasy is very approachable and practical in terms of her advice. Distills down the key issues in an easily understandable fashion.’
Key clients
- Clinical Indemnity Scheme of the State Claims Agency
- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
- Health Service Executive
- Child and Family Agency (Tusla)
- The Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland
- The Irish Medical Council
- St Patrick’s Mental Health Services
- Medisec/MedPro
- Allergan Limited
- Voluntary Healthcare Forum
Work highlights
- Acted for the State Claims Agency in the defence of a catastrophic birth injury action, in which the plaintiff alleged their diagnosed development delay and autism were caused by negligence at the time of delivery.
- Acted on behalf of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated in the defence of professional negligence claims arising from the alleged misreading of cervical smear samples in the context of the ongoing fallout from the cervical check controversy.
- Acted for LetsGetChecked in a $150m Series D funding round led by Casdin Capital.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Katie McAuliffe
Mason Hayes & Curran LLPLeading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Martin Kelleher
Mason Hayes & Curran LLP
Kevin Power
Mason Hayes & Curran LLPNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Ciara Deasy
Mason Hayes & Curran LLP
Michaela Herron
Mason Hayes & Curran LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Kevin Power, Martin Kelleher, Michaela Herron