Seán is a specialist in administrative and public law. He advises public bodies on their functions and on compliance matters under legislation including public office and official languages legislation and frequently acts for public authorities in the defence of judicial review proceedings. He has a strong understanding of public sector processes and the corporate governance and legal risk management issues relating to public sector bodies. He has also acted for public bodies in a range of investigations and enforcement actions, including prosecutions. He also acts in investigations and enforcement actions. He advises several public authorities, including the Irish courts' rule-making authorities, on the preparation of primary and delegated legislation and the development of procedural rules. He has also advised and acted for foreign governments and public bodies involved in Irish litigation. Seán acts regularly in substantial domestic and international commercial disputes, both in litigation before the Irish courts and in arbitrations under various institutional rules. He is frequently involved in Commercial Court litigation, especially in the regulatory sphere.
McCann FitzGerald LLP
With ‘expertise over a wide-range of areas’, McCann FitzGerald LLP‘s public law practice advises an extensive roster of state and other public sector bodies on contentious and non-contentious regulatory and administrative matters. The team is widely recognised for its strength in public procurement matters and in the development of major infrastructure projects, particularly in the transport sector; projects specialist Eamonn O’Hanrahan and public procurement ’expert‘ Orlaith Sheehy are notable names in this area. The firm also has a stellar record in judicial reviews and regulatory litigation, wherein Michelle Doyle, Catherine Derrig and Rosaleen Byrne are all highly regarded. Seán Barton is also a key name.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent understanding of public procurement law and advice on our obligations.’
‘Orlaith Sheehy is an expert in her industry. She has excellent communication skills and the ability to manage a number of projects with different demanding stakeholders and the challenges faced when these projects cross over - always ensuring the expectations of all are managed. Consistent and precise in her advice.’
‘Expert advisors.’
‘Expertise over a wide-range of areas. Very good response times and a proactive, collaborative approach.’
‘McCanns have fostered (and earned) a deep relationship with us at an organisational and personal level through the provision of high-quality legal advice.’
‘Deep knowledge of our organisation, its statutory role and functions and the environment it works within.’
‘I would highly recommend McCann Fitzgerald for any legal advice needed. They offer a high-quality, professional and efficient service.’
‘Each of the solicitors I worked with at McCanns was excellent. They have extensive experience with a keen eye for detail. Orlaith Sheehy deserves particular mention for her outstanding and prompt service.’
Key clients
- An Post
- Bord na Móna plc
- Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
- Central Bank of Ireland
- Charities Regulator
- CIE/Irish Rail
- Coillte Teoranta (the Forestry Board)
- Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg)
- Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU)
- Courts Service
- Dublin Airport Authority
- Electricity Supply Board
- Ervia
- Government Departments, including Department of Finance and Department of Justice and Equality
- Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI)
- Housing Finance Agency (HFA)
- Housing Infrastructure Services Company (HisCo)
- Institute of Directors
- Irish Bank Resolution Corporation
- Irish Takeover Panel
- Local authorities, including Galway County Council, Kildare County Council, Laois County Council, Dublin City Council, Waterford City & County Council and others
- Maynooth University
- National Accreditation Board
- National Asset Management Agency
- National Development Finance Agency
- National Transport Authority
- National Treasury Management Agency
- Office of Government Procurement
- Office of Public Works
- Road Safety Authority
- Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority
- Shannon Airport Authority
- State Claims Agency
- Transport Infrastructure Ireland
- Trinity College Dublin
- United States Government
- University College Dublin
- Voluntary Health Insurance Board (Vhi)
Work highlights
- Advising Voluntary Health Insurance Board (Vhi) in a range of ongoing matters, including a series of proceedings involving abuse of dominance claims brought against Vhi by service providers (including a medical service provider) for refusal of insurance.
- Advising the National Transport Authority on a variety of matters, including the procurement and contractual aspects of its Connecting Ireland rural transport plan.
- Advising the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation in connection with long-running and high-profile proceedings against the former CEO of Irish Nationwide Building Society.
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Leading individuals
Catherine’s practice involves advising clients in a wide range of contentious matters including commercial disputes, financial products disputes, professional indemnity matters and corporate fraud. She has particular experience of disputes in the banking and financial services, health insurance and professional indemnity sectors. Catherine also advises a wide range of public and private bodies on administrative and regulatory law issues and has considerable experience of judicial review and competition matters. Catherine has extensive experience of complex multi party commercial litigation, often involving significant discovery, in the Commercial and other Superior Courts. Effective and efficient dispute resolution is her priority as she advises on all aspects of the litigation process and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Eamonn O’Hanrahan