Matheson LLP continues to handle the full range of contentious and non-contentious environmental law matters, defending clients against regulatory prosecutions and advising on environmental risks and liabilities arising from large-scale infrastructure projects. Practice head Nicola Dunleavy SC is the go-to advisor for clients seeking advice on the climate change and planning and environmental aspects of new projects. Recently promoted partner Ruadhán Kenny regularly represents clients in judicial review proceedings, while Jill Hurley provides able assistance with planning applications.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘What stands out is the people, their knowledge and how approachable they are.’
  • ‘Nicola Dunleavy SC is an expert in this field. She is always available and will resolve an issue. She approaches a matter from the outset by setting out timelines to meet expectations. She keeps you informed of recent case law.’
  • ‘The team can navigate complex and novel planning and environmental legal issues while providing business-focused legal advice.’
  • ‘Nicola Dunleavy SC is a tenacious lawyer with a commitment to excellence. Ruadhán Kenny and the team are diligent and thorough, offering practical and commercially focused legal advice. He has a clear understanding of clients' needs.'
  • ‘Matheson LLP have an extremely competent, responsive and reliable planning and environment legal team. They communicate very well with the client, and at all times, you feel you are in capable hands.’
  • ‘Nicola Dunleavy SC is an impressive and very knowledgeable team leader and a skilled communicator. Similarly, Ruadhán Kenny impresses with his knowledge and ability to quickly understand the client's perspective. Both individuals mentioned provide exceptional access and are exceptionally committed to the client.’
  • ‘Matheson has a breadth and depth of knowledge and skill. They advise pragmatically, and explore how to achieve the client's aims.’
  • ‘Nicola Dunleavy SC has powerful knowledge and understanding and a great ability for objective analysis and advice.’

Key clients

  • Mowi Ireland
  • Ecopower Ireland

Work highlights

  • Acting for Mowi Ireland in three separate sets of judicial review proceedings brought by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Salmon Watch Ireland and Peter Sweetman against the grant of an aquaculture licence and a foreshore licence to the client for a site in Co Cork.
  • Acted for Ecopower in judicial review proceedings concerning an amending permission for the Knocknamona wind farm.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Hall of fameMatheson LLP
Nicola Dunleavy is a partner in Matheson’s Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department. Nicola has a broad commercial litigation and arbitration practice. Much of her work crosses borders, representing international companies doing business in and from Ireland. Nicola represents clients in commercial disputes including mergers and acquisitions, regulatory disputes, EU and competition litigation, and constitutional litigation. Her clients are active in the technology and telecommunications, pharmaceutical, chemicals, food and drink, waste, water, energy, mining, and transport sectors. Her practice includes advising in regulatory investigations and defending criminal prosecutions. Nicola has significant experience in major development and property disputes, including environmental and safety disputes. Nicola leads Matheson’s arbitration team. Her expertise includes advocacy in alternative dispute resolution, encompassing expert determination, adjudication and mediation. Nicola is Vice President of Arbitration Ireland, and an Associate of the Irish Taxation Institute, an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She is a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops on regulatory enforcement and on commercial arbitration and litigation. She has authored contributions to a number of publications including The International Comparative Legal Guide to International Arbitration 2011 - 2015.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Nicola Dunleavy SC

Other key lawyers

Ruadhán Kenny, Jill Hurley