Insurance

McCann FitzGerald LLP

McCann FitzGerald LLP has a broad client base of insurers and reinsurers, including those for which it is exclusive Irish corporate and regulatory counsel. It has continued to advise major multinational insurers on high-value M&A transactions and is at the forefront of insurance disputes, including business interruption cases. ESG, sanctions and outsourcing are growth areas for the insurance team. Darragh Murphy is at the forefront of insurance regulatory matters and Brian Quigley is a leader in insurance disputes, along with Catherine Derrig, who specialises in health insurance and professional indemnity. Helen Kilroy and Roddy Bourke are also noted for insurance disputes. Associate Donnchadh Ó Collatáin is a rising star.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The practice is extremely client-focused.’
‘Helen Kilroy is hard-working, knows her brief, is excellent at distilling the issues at hand and suggesting practical solutions. Helen is respected and heard at every level.’
‘McCann Fitzgerald's insurance team are a high performing, extremely responsive and dynamic team. They have an ability to grasp technical issues easily and advise in an easily comprehensive manner the best approach for the client. It also assists that they cross-collaborate with other departments internally going beyond whats expected to ensure all avenues are covered. A pleasure to deal with.’
‘Helen Kilroy is someone you want on your side when there's a fight at play. She has a unique ability to distill complex technical information and find a solution to a problem no one has yet thought of. Catherine Derrig has an ability to find the crux of the problem, and turn it into a positive for the client.’
‘The insurance practice in McCann Fitzgerald consistently demonstrates excellence in both knowledge of the laws and regulations, and the market in which our business operates. They regularly advise on complex structures and arrangements and are commercial in their approach. They are very pleasant to work with and always very approachable.’
‘Darragh Murphy is the partner usually engaged. He is extremely knowledgeable about financial services generally and, in particular, the legal and regulatory aspects of insurance law. He is very commercial and pragmatic in terms of commercial negotiations. Donnchadh O’Collatain is another senior associate that has been engaged and he, too, is very good.’

Key clients

MetLife Europe dac and related companies
Great West LifeCo Inc./ Irish Life Assurance plc and related companies
Just Retirement Limited
SMBC Aviation Capital Limited
VHI Insurance dac
Greenval Insurance dac
CBL Insurance Europe dac
Loyola Group and Chris Kelly Group
Allianz plc
White Horse Insurance Ireland dac and related companies
AIG
Zurich
QBE Europe SA/SV
Qover SA
AWPI Assistance Ireland Ltd

Work highlights

Engaged to act as lead counsel to the Great West Lifeco Group in the proposed establishment of a life and pensions joint venture with Allied Irish Banks plc.
Acted as lead counsel to MetLife Europe on its disposal of a portfolio of health insurance business in Poland to NN Insurance (Project Greenland).
Instructed by SMBC Aviation Capital Limited in relation to an insurance claim and subsequent proceedings for between $1 – 1.8 billion against 16 different insurers arising from the loss of 35 of the clients’ aircraft on lease to Russian airlines.