Pensions and employee benefits

McCann FitzGerald LLP

McCann FitzGerald LLP's pensions practice maintains its strong reputation advising on complex disputes, the pension aspects of domestic and cross-border transactions, and distressed situations for trustees and employers regarding schemes relating to high-profile companies. The team is adept on both the contentious and non-contentious fronts, advising pension scheme committees and major corporations in High Court litigation. Assisting clients, including start-ups, on the establishment and amendment of an array of approved and unapproved employee incentive plans falls under the purview of practice head Eleanor Cunningham. Catherine Austin focuses on pension scheme restructurings and the negotiation of scheme funding proposals.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Fast and approachable - providing clear and concise advice on a number of pension related matters.’
‘First rate legal adviser to pension trustees.’
‘Eleanor Cunningham is a first rate adviser, technically sound, proactive and very nice to work with.’
‘Wide breadth of knowledge across the team; if one team member is not available they ensure that they fully brief a colleague to take over seamlessly in their absence.'
'Very quick to respond to requests.’
‘Catherine Austin has extensive knowledge and experience and uses it to give pragmatic advice that considers all the angles. Very available and very pleasant to work with.’

Key clients

Aer Lingus
ESB Pension Scheme Committee
Allied Irish Banks plc
Trustees of a major financial institution
Trustees of a major semi-state statutory pension scheme
Trustees of the AerCap defined benefit pension scheme and AerCap

Work highlights

Advised Aer Lingus on the pensions and employment issues arising from their various multi-employer defined benefit schemes.
Advised the ESB Pension Scheme and the in-house pension group in ESB on a wide-range of issues on an on-going basis.
Advised Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. on all pensions aspects arising from the acquisition by AIB from Ulster Bank/NatWest of Ulster Bank’s commercial banking division.