LK Shields Solicitors LLP and Byrne Wallace LLP merged at the beginning of 2025 to form Byrne Wallace Shields. The intellectual property team has a robust track record in assisting clients with contentious and non-contentious matters. The team frequently handles trademark and design rights litigation, including passing-off and infringement claims. The non-contentious practice covers design protection, IP commercialisation, due diligence, and licensing, with a particular focus on the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. The practice is co-led by Colin Sainsbury and Mark O’Shaughnessy. Jane O’Grady is frequently sought out by clients for assistance with R&D and licensing agreements.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Byrne Wallace Shields is unique in its ability to listen to its client's need. The team are highly responsive, and the level of responsiveness is unbeatable.’
  • ‘Stand out partners for me are Mark O’Shaughnessy and Catherine Dowling - focused on the strategic aspects that tip the balance in your favour relative to your competitors, these are the people to go to.’
  • ‘Partners are very knowledgeable and well connected in the eco-system.’
  • ‘Byrne Wallace Shields has a strong and experienced team.’
  • ‘Catherine Dowling is very good at finding creative solutions. Colin Sainsbury has excellent experience and knowledge. Very good at resolving issues to reach agreement in negotiations and agreements.’
  • ‘They are always quick to acknowledge receipt of our instructions and to take action on them.’
  • 'Colin Sainsbury is exceptionally diligent to make sure every base is covered.'
  • 'Colin Sainsbury and his team have a great attention to detail and to making sure every base is covered. Easily accessible and good to work with in a very positive way.'

Key clients

  • Neuromod Devices Limited
  • Priothera Limited
  • Private Pier Industries GmbH
  • Xeolas Pharmaceuticals Limited
  • Versono Medical Limited
  • Warburton
  • Q3 Medical Devices Limited
  • Univet Limited
  • Juvenescence (Europe) Limited
  • Phibro Animal Health
  • B. Braun Hospicare
  • Avectas Limited
  • Artugen Therapeutics Limited
  • Selfsense Technologies Limited
  • StatisticaMedica Limited
  • Teagasc
  • Miravo Healthcare
  • Ionics Life Sciences Limited
  • Uplift Health Limited
  • Endowave Limited
  • Kora Healthcare
  • Pumpinheart
  • Rose Pharma
  • Arok Healthcare
  • Tonisity International
  • Failte Ireland
  • Deposit Return Scheme Ireland
  • LTM Investments (Cyprus) Limited
  • AuBren Limited
  • EY France
  • FleetCor Technologies
  • Starbucks
  • Suil Interactive
  • Viagogo

Work highlights

  • Advised Brepco Biopharma on its licence and supply agreements with Piramal Critical Care.
  • Advised StatisticaMedica on the negotiation and successful conclusion of a number of services agreements with leading multinational life sciences companies.
  • Advised Deposit Return Scheme Ireland on the licensing of IT systems.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Colin Sainsbury, Mark O’Shaughnessy

Other key lawyers

Catherine Dowling, Jane O’Grady