Home Knowledge Cormac Little Named Irish Competition Lawyer of the Year at 2016 Client Choice Awards

Cormac Little Named Irish Competition Lawyer of the Year at 2016 Client Choice Awards

 

Cormac Little, Partner and Head of William Fry’s Competition & Regulation department, has won the ‘Competition & Antitrust’ category for Ireland at the Client Choice Awards 2016. Cormac was presented with the award at a recent celebratory dinner in London.

The Irish award in the ‘Competition & Antitrust’ category, chosen by Client Choice’s team of researchers, was given to Cormac for his ability to add real value to his clients’ businesses.  His recent work includes advising DCC on the Irish merger control aspects of its sale of Fannin Compounding to Baxter International. This acquisition was cleared by the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (“CCPC”), formerly the Competition Authority, on the basis of the ‘failing firm’ defence; the first time this has ever occurred under Irish merger control rules. Another recent notable case was his strategic counsel to Uniphar, a major Irish pharmaceutical wholesaler, on the merger control aspects of the acquisition of its rival, Cahill May Roberts. This ‘3 to 2’ merger was unconditionally cleared by the CCPC following a Phase II investigation.

Bryan Bourke, Managing Partner at William Fry, said, “We are delighted that Cormac has been recognised by Client Choice as Ireland’s top Competition lawyer.  He is consistently ranked as a market leader for Competition & Antitrust and the fact that this award is solely based on client nominations makes the success all the more meaningful. Our Competition & Regulation department is regarded as the pre-eminent provider of expert competition and regulatory advice in the Irish market and this award is further testament to the breadth and depth of expertise we have within William Fry.”

Established in 2005, Client Choice recognises those law firms and partners around the world that stand apart for the excellent client care they provide and the quality of their service. Unlike other awards, a lawyer can only be nominated for a Client Choice Award by a corporate or ‘in-house’ counsel. This year over 2,000 nominations were received by Client Choice. The award criteria focus on a nominee’s ability to give excellent advice beyond the other players in the market.