We pride ourselves on the outstanding service we provide to our clients and the resulting longevity of our client relationships. We are never complacent and strive for excellence at all levels of the Firm. We are equally proud of the recognition we have garnered for this ethos, in the form of awards, rankings and recommendations.
Below are details of some recent awards and recommendations received by the Firm.
Directories
Year on year, we are ranked by the leading international legal directories, including the Legal 500 EMEA, Chambers Europe, IFLR1000, Who's Who Legal and PLC Which lawyer?, as one of Ireland's top corporate law firms.
Please click on a year below to see a selection of directory endorsements which are garnered from client feedback and serve as testament to the quality of the Firm's practice.
Chambers Europe 2017
- "They were very commercial on complex deals, extracted the important parts, were very proactive and made sure that nothing slipped away."
Clients also point out that "they have a nice house style: professional, friendly and courteous." Banking & Finance - Clients are impressed by the firm's "levels of service, attention and response, as well as the breadth of service."
- Clients regard the firm as "very practical and easy to deal with; the lawyers have a good knowledge of the issues and cover the ground without going into too much detail." Capital Markets
- Clients appreciate the firm's "practical, business-focused advice," with other sources adding that "they put themselves in your shoes" and "are quick to grasp problems and are solution-oriented."
Other sources appreciate that the team "understands the competition market, has good contacts and a very good understanding of the processes." Competition / European Law - One source states: "I think the service is excellent. The team is proactive, knowledgeable, capable and attentive." Construction
- Clients appreciate that the lawyers "made an effort to get to know us, were practical, commercial, strong in negotiations and could explain Irish law in a clear way to US buyers."
- "It has always been a pleasure to work with them", say clients. "The drafting is first class, they are good negotiators and their manner is conducive to getting the deal done." Corporate / M&A
- An interviewee states: "They have excellent litigation instincts and analytical abilities," adding: "They are very effective at taking complex issues and boiling them down to essential elements, and because of that, they are good at developing an overall litigation strategy. It really has been a pleasure because they are very smart and produce a first-class work product; they are first-rate."
One client appreciates the fact that they "always get a proactive, practical and commercial viewpoint." Another source agrees: "I am impressed with the practical, commercial focus of the department and the understanding of the commercial realities facing its clients."
Another commentator enthuses: "We find the litigation team at William Fry excellent. In addition to the quality of their legal advice, we continue to be impressed by their client focus. They know the type and level of information and input that we require and tailor their advice accordingly." Dispute Resolution - Interviewees say the group is "very capable, pragmatic and customer-focused. They bring a wealth of experience to employment and pensions law issues and provide responsive, practical and effective solutions to critical issues."
Clients refer to a "top-class service" from the department, advising: "It is a very collegial team that is very careful and considered about its advice and always on point. It is particularly good in complex or sensitive scenarios."
Sources explain that the "partners are receptive, responsive, experienced and provide added value, as well as very good legal advice. There is a good breadth and depth in terms of back-up resources, and all cross-border work is handled expertly." Employment & Benefits - The firm's "depth and versatility to provide the entire range of legal requirements" is often praised, with clients saying: "It is invaluable to have it all under one roof."
Sources also remark that the team is "very responsive and knows the sector well." Energy & Natural Resources - Clients agree that the lawyers are "excellent: they provide a quick turnaround and are very pragmatic." Another source praises the team's "good knowledge and service," adding: "They are well known for insurance matters."
One client is "very happy with the service," explaining that "their availability is something that is always appreciated." Insurance - One source lauds the department as one of "the leading practices in heavy IP matters," with another explaining that they are "technically very good, strategic and also nice people to work with."
One interviewee states: "We have been consistently pleased with the advice and the quality of the work," describing the team's recommendations as "practical" and "reliable." Intellectual Property - "William Fry are very approachable, respond very quickly to queries and turn documents around promptly, often outside normal hours and at weekends. The depth and breadth of knowledge in the team is high, but the lawyers also have a good commercial sense and understanding."
Sources advise that "the lawyers are very personable to work with and provide clear and prompt advice."
Clients identify "many positives in the team's commercial positioning; they have a strong brand and market influence." Investment Funds - One client admires the "width and depth of expertise within the firm" and lauds the department as a "strong practice that understands the minutiae of the life sciences sector."
Sources appreciate the "first-rate access and availability" of the team and describe its advice as "considered, pragmatic and clear." Life Sciences - Clients enthuse that the team is "extremely commercial, practical, good at identifying the pitfalls and extremely responsive."
Interviewees comment that the lawyers "fight hard for the client and do everything for the best interest of the client." Real Estate - Clients appreciate the depth of the practice, with one client praising its ability to "offer a wide range of service capabilities," with another commending "the extent to which the firm could draw on a variety of different specialisms as the need arises."
Clients value the level of partner contact they have experienced, noting: "Their availability is something that is always appreciated." Restructuring & Insolvency - Sources assert that "from a technical perspective they are clear and direct."
Interviewees also value the team's "responsiveness to client needs and commercial awareness." Tax - Clients praise the client-oriented nature of the advice: "They offer a cogent, practical explanation of the law."
Other interviewees value "the quality of the staff and the ability to recommend legal experts in other jurisdictions." TMT
Legal 500 2017
- William Fry has an ‘efficient and very professional team’. Capital Markets - Debt
- The team work with ‘speed and precision’ on behalf of issuers, financial institutions, investors and brokers. Capital Markets - Equity
- William Fry have an extremely ‘professional and personable’ team. Construction
- William Fry’s ‘proactive and resourceful team’ was busy across sectors such as private equity, technology, pharmaceuticals and healthcare. Corporate & Commercial
- William Fry excels at electricity and gas work, where its advice is ‘always focused on the key issues’. Energy & Natural Resources
- David Cullen heads the ‘vibrant’ practice at William Fry. Information Technology
- William Fry’s team provides ‘excellent partner access and practical advice’. Insurance
- William Fry has ‘a broad range of expertise’. Investment Funds
- William Fry’s ‘outstanding’ team handled various corporate transactions. Pensions & Employee Benefits
- William Fry is often first choice for ‘high-value, time-critical projects’. Planning & Environment
- William Fry provides ‘exemplary’ service to public sector clients across a range of areas, including finance, utilities and education. Public Sector