Mason Hayes & Curran LLP is a go-to firm for domestic and international clients, from both the public and private sectors, seeking advice on commercial and regulatory affairs within the telecommunications sector. The team manages a comprehensive array of contentious and non-contentious matters, including spectrum auctions and licenses, as well as issues related to consumer protection and product safety. Michael Madden heads the practice and works closely with associate Luke Murray to advise on the implications of Irish and EU telecoms regulation. Frank Flanagan is highly active on the contentious side, assisting clients with commercial and regulatory issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The core team at Mason Hayes & Curran has an understanding of the regulatory framework and our internal processes, and their advice and assistance continue to reflect this understanding. For example, the MH+C team is highly accessible, pragmatic and solutions-focused in their delivery of services and readily appreciates and responds to the tight time pressures we are constantly under.'
  • 'The key members bring quite different but, importantly, highly complementary experience, expertise and perspectives in their advice and assistance. Similarly, they are quick to bring in additional and varied expertise should the need arise.’
  • ‘As noted above, Michael Madden and Frank Flanagan bring quite different but, importantly, highly complementary experience, expertise and perspectives. Michael readily understands our objectives and perspective, contributes extremely well to policy discussions, and provides a highly accessible, engaging, responsive and primary point of contact between our teams. Frank readily understands complex, technical issues, has superb attention to detail, and provides invaluable advice and assistance.’
  • ‘The team provides a breath of legal expertise across the different aspects of our projects, for example, regulatory, competition, litigation, data security and procurement. The team is headed up by a lead partner and supported by other partners and associates. The legal advice is solid and evidence-based, provided with a depth of understanding backed up by complimentary disciplines. The team is exceptional and a solid addition to any critical project.’
  • ‘MHC has had a large and renowned TMT team for many years. I encounter them frequently with shared clients and am confident that the project will be handled expertly. Their reputation and quality of work are excellent.’
  • ‘Partners and associates have excellent subject matter expertise and commercial knowledge. Partners relationship with points of contact on the side of demanding clients is impressive and inspiring.’ 

Key clients

  • Commission for Communications Regulation
  • Facebook
  • WhatsApp
  • Starlink (SpaceX)
  • Huawei
  • Comcast
  • Virgin Media
  • Tata Communications
  • Sprint Corporation
  • RingCentral
  • Genesys

Work highlights

  • Advised the Commission for Communications Regulation (“ComReg”) on the design and implementation of its auction of the hugely valuable 700 MHz spectrum band.
  • Advised ComReg on its High Court proceedings against Eir in which ComReg sought a restraining order against Eir requiring it to cease breaching rules relating to overcharging customers.
  • Advised Facebook and WhatsApp on the interpretation and application of the European Electronic Communications Code.

Lawyers

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.

Michael Madden

Other key lawyers

Frank Flanagan, Luke Murray