Our experience includes advising: 

• the trustees of the Aviva Ireland Staff Pension Fund on a scheme reconstruction, including negotiations on future employer contributions and a parent company financial undertaking.
• the trustees of the Hitachi High Technologies Ireland Plan on a pension scheme reorganisation involving three separate legacy schemes.
• IAG, the parent company British Airways, on the pensions aspects of its takeover of Aer Lingus.
• The Irish Times on a pension scheme reorganisation involving the transition from a DB to a DC arrangement and negotiations for the winding up of a DB scheme.
• Nestlé European Pension Fund, an EU cross-border scheme, on its Irish membership section.
• Phillips 66 on a pension scheme separation on the sale of its oil storage operation at Bantry Bay, including negotiations with the scheme trustees and advice on a parent company guarantee.
• the trustees of the Pratt & Whitney Aviation Plan on the winding up of a DB scheme, including complex negotiations on a final employer contribution and parent company indemnity.
• Premier Lotteries (Ireland) Limited on the pensions aspects of its acquisition of the Irish national lottery licence and the related transition from a public sector to a private sector pension arrangement.

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Department

• A client notes: "Their work in my experience has always been of the highest quality. The advice is practical and relevant and always geared towards the best interests of the client," adding: "They have an in-depth knowledge of our business which guarantees that the advice provided is always relevant." Another client says: "Not only are they extremely knowledgeable, innovative in their advice and commercially minded, they are also a down-to-earth, unassuming and approachable team of solicitors." Chambers Europe, 2018 
• 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." 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." Chambers Europe 2017
• Key contacts include the ‘very experienced’ Michael Wolfe and the ‘insightful’ Liam Connellan, as well as Maura Roe, whom one client calls ‘the foremost expert in Ireland on shares and share options’. Legal 500 EMEA 2017 
• "The firm's advice is of the highest quality and based on solid research and case studies. It is also highly tailored and relevant. Working with this firm is an educational experience." Chambers Europe, 2016
• "I would rate William Fry's performance very highly. Apart from mastery of the technical aspects of the work, I find the firm pragmatic and commercial when it comes to pension-related matters and it acts as a partner to us in delivering optimal solutions." Chambers Europe, 2016
• The ‘very commercial’ team at William Fry is headed by Michael Wolfe. Legal 500 EMEA, 2016
• "This team asks the right questions to get to the heart of the issue. The lawyers are technically excellent and bring pragmatic solutions to our clients."  Chambers Europe, 2015 
• "Great breadth of experience, and a high level of responsiveness."  Chambers Europe, 2015
• William Fry’s ‘responsive and reliable’ team. Legal 500 EMEA, 2015
• "The team has a very in-depth knowledge of the law and a clear understanding of our agenda - I have never had occasion to regret our choice"  Chambers Europe, 2014
• "William Fry's service cannot be faulted." Legal 500 EMEA, 2014
• Sources say: “A well-connected practice that really tries to understand its clients. I have yet to give the lawyers a scenario which has stumped them – you can always find an expert in your area.”   Chambers Europe, 2013
• William Fry provides the ‘highest quality of service’ under pensions head Michael Wolfe. Legal 500 EMEA, 2012
• William Fry advises in ‘a clear and pragmatic way'.  Legal 500 EMEA, 2012

 

Team

• Michael Wolfe
  • Key contacts include the ‘very experienced’ Michael Wolfe. Legal 500 EMEA 2017 
  • Sources state: "He has great knowledge of the industry in Ireland and comes up with creative solutions for difficult problems." Chambers Europe, 2016
  • Michael Wolfe is known for his "fantastic experience and good client manner."Chambers Europe, 2015
  • Michael Wolfe ‘combines technical strength with relationship skills’. Legal 500 EMEA, 2015 
  • Michael Wolfe is praised by clients as one of the best pensions lawyers in Ireland: "He understands the whole project; he looks at all the elements and takes them into consideration and is very commercial in the advice he gives." Chambers Europe, 2014 
  • According to an impressed client, “he thinks outside the box and comes up with usable solutions." Another adds: "He has the ability to resolve division and conflict between parties.”  Chambers Europe, 2013
  • Michael Wolfe is praised for 'his independence of mind and ability to resolve divisions between trustees'. Legal 500 EMEA, 2013
  • Michael Wolfe is ‘an excellent pensions lawyer’. Legal 500 EMEA, 2012
  • ‘He is extremely experienced and his advice is legally and tactically spot-on,’ according to clients. Chambers Europe, 2012

• Liam Connellan
  • Clients say that Liam Connellan is "very personable, business-oriented and attentive." Chambers Europe 2017
  • Key contacts include the ‘insightful’ Liam Connellan. Legal 500 EMEA 2017 
  • According to clients Liam is "highly knowledgeable and consistently willing to consider a variety of viewpoints to ensure that the advice is fit for purpose."Chambers Europe, 2016
  • Liam Connellan provides ‘expert guidance'. Legal 500 EMEA, 2015
  • Liam Connellan is a pensions expert with "a very pragmatic approach to resolving pension issues for our clients' businesses. He has been a real benefit to us on occasions when we might be dealing with a prospect and need to sense-check a particular point."  Chambers Europe, 2015
  • Liam Connellan is commended by peers as a "safe pair of hands." Chambers Europe, 2014