Matheson LLP continues to stand out for its experience and expertise in corporate insurance, including M&A, portfolio transfers, corporate governance and regulatory matters. Along with its strong connections to major insurers and reinsurers, the firm has also landed a sizeable book of business from insurance intermediaries, particularly in relation to regulatory advice. It has achieved further growth in key areas such as sanctions and ESG. The firm has expanded its ranks at partner level over the last three years, showcasing the strength of its practice. Darren Maher is a leading figure in the corporate insurance field, while Gráinne Callanan provides further senior expertise in corporate and regulatory insurance. Elaine Long is another key partner in corporate insurance. April McClements leads the insurance disputes team, which has made a further impact in aviation insurance cases, subrogation claims and COVID-19 business interruption. Insurance disputes specialist Aisling Kavanagh was promoted to partner in 2023.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Matheson has a great people-focused culture that is very beneficial to the client experience. They have knowledgeable, insightful people who are passionate about what they do and that reflects in their dedication to their clients.’
‘I deal mainly with Grainne Callanan and have done so for a number of years. Grainne is very knowledgeable and has extensive experience of the end-to-end regulatory experience for insurance. She brings that knowledge and experience to bear in a very practical and client-focused manner, which has always yielded excellent results.’
‘Kieran O'Sullivan, streets ahead of the rest in the market. Understands client's needs and keeps the client well informed during an engagement. His knowledge of the insurance sector is second to none.’
‘Darren Maher is a truly exceptional lawyer. Darren is an extremely talented communicator with an invaluable ability to distil complex matters for his clients. Darren is a great listener and is able to understand difficult problems rapidly with little background and then instantly advise us on how to manage these problems. Every conversation with Darren Maher adds value to our business. Catherine MacFarlane is an excellent and precise lawyer. Catherine manages all of our complex wording and contract work in a highly effective manner. Catherine has a great ability to synthesise complex requests and produce high quality work reflecting our instructions.’
‘Darren Maher - regulatory knowledge and connection to the market. April McClements - knowledge and collaborative approach. Karen Reynolds - very commercial, solutions-focused.’
‘Gráinne Callanan has handled several S.13 IPTs for our company and she has done so in a highly-effective and professional way, ensuring that all legal requirements are addressed, every step of the way. Gráinne has an intuitive understanding of our business and the importance of these portfolio transfers to us, and she expertly managed each portfolio transfer for us in a clear and logical manner, unfailingly making herself available to us to answer any and all queries that we have had in a courteous and friendly way. Nothing phased Gráinne and she provided a calm, authoritative presence to guide us through the whole process.'
‘Gráinne Callanan - passionate about successful delivery. Incredible stamina and tenacity. 100% record of success, even under the seemingly impossible circumstances of one particular insurance business transformation. All backed up with exceptional technical knowledge and experience. She has the ability to identify and exhaust all possible counter arguments and to foresee and forestall them before they amount to real issues.’
‘April McClements - she is structured, clear and cooperative with a deep understanding of the needs of the client; focused and goal oriented. Darren Maher - very reasonable and pragmatic with deep understanding of the relevant laws and regulations. Distinguished by his encyclopaedic knowledge, spiced with capability of getting all necessary information and connections in insurance business. Karen Reynolds - she is an excellent communicator with a specific ability to succinctly and clearly break down complex legal issues and challenges. It's a great pleasure to work with her, as she is extremely attentive to details and constantly instils confidence in the process of finding the best result.’
Key clients
- AmTrust International Underwriters DAC
- Aon Group
- Aviva
- Companjon
- Compre Holdings Limited
- Ecclesiastical Insurance Office PLC
- FBD Insurance PLC
- Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited
- Legal and General
- Life Company Consolidation Group (Utmost)
- Mapfre Asistencia Compania Internacional de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A.
- Monument Assurance DAC
- PartnerRe Ireland Insurance DAC
- Royal London
- Travelers Companies, Inc.
- United Health Group Inc.
- Utmost Ireland DAC
Work highlights
- Acted for four of the six aircraft lessors who have brought proceedings against their insurers in Ireland relating to coverage for claims in relation to irrecoverable aircraft in Russia.
- Acted for Perrigo in a high-value coverage dispute relating to 30+ significant securities class actions under its D&O towers for a number of policy periods.
- Advised various Opel and Vauxhall companies (now owned by Stellantis) on their defence of highly contentious, complex, high-value, multi-party litigation arising from the fire in Douglas Village Shopping Centre carpark on 31 August 2019.
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Darren Maher