Our experience includes advising/acting for:

ComReg (the Irish Communications Regulator) in relation to a number of regulatory enforcement matters, including the first High Court proceedings before the Commercial Court seeking to enforce compliance by the telecoms incumbent eircom with obligations arising from its position of significant market power in the line rental market, and eircom’s cross-appeal.

Nortel Networks (acting for the joint administrators of its Irish subsidiary). The Nortel Group filed for bankruptcy in January 2009, with debts exceeding US$4bn.

BSkyB on a challenge by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner that raised novel issues with regard to the duration of consents given by data subjects and interpretation of the meaning of “customer”.

Smart Telecom in its high profile dispute with Huawei Technologies over the supply of high-end IT equipment to a major Irish telephone and broadband supplier.

3Mobile/Hutchison 3G on ongoing telecommunications matters.

Kilsaran on its investment in Imagine Broadband, a pan-European communications provider.

Telefonica SA on tax matters.

View all

We are consistently ranked as one of the leading Telecoms law firms in Ireland.

Department

• William Fry has a “strong reputation in the area of defamation”. Clients highlight the firm as one of Ireland’s leading media law practices.  Media Law International 2021. 
• Clients exalt the team's combination of market insight and legal acumen: "they don't just give a quote of the law, but a commercial view and an explanation in the context of the market". Another interviewee says: "they inspired confidence immediately with their insight and advice on all matters and came with a deep knowledge of the market". Chambers Europe 2019
• 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." Chambers Europe 2017
• "The team has a wide range of experience that it brings to bear on specific issues, and provides timely and concise advice." Chambers Europe 2016 
• William Fry’s media team includes ‘excellent’ defamation specialist Fiona Barry, who regularly advises Associated Newspapers on defamation and privacy issues. Claire Waterson is recommended for telecoms work. Legal 500 EMEA, 2015
• "This firm is very available and responsive, and good at tailoring advice for non-lawyers." 
  "We have a good degree of trust in this team's advice. The lawyers have a flexible approach, and are clearly high quality." Chambers Europe, 2015 

Team

Cormac Little

• Interviewees describe Cormac Little as a "savvy and sophisticated" competition lawyer. "He doesn't overcomplicate things unnecessarily, but rather has a practical approach," says one client, while another source reports: "He does not panic and has good judgement." One client admires Cormac's pragmatic approach saying that: "Some competition lawyers tell you everything is a breach, whereas he is very, very practical. I’d consider him to be among half a handful of the best competition lawyers in the very small group.” Chamber Europe 2020
• According to Legal 500 2020, Cormac has been described as "an outstanding competition lawyer who gives excellent advice and is able to effectively communicate in a way that overcomes the complexities of the law." Another client notes that Cormac is an "excellent lawyer who has a calm approach and provides efficient and well-reasoned responses."
• "He is very quick to understand what the problem is, find insight and give practical advice on how to move forward." Chambers Europe 2019
• "Calm, knowledgable" team head Cormac Little advised The Irish Times on its acquisition of the Irish Examiner group. Legal 500 EMEA 2019 
• Department head Cormac Little is renowned in the field of competition law and has a "vast wealth of knowledge in relation to both domestic and EU legislation." One source notes: "He is the epitome of understated excellence - calm, knowledgeable, discreet and quietly strategic in his overall focus." Clients praise his "detailed knowledge of Irish competition law and understanding of the related nuances of engaging with the CCPC." Chambers Europe 2018
• Respected practitioner Cormac Little offers a "good balance of experience and practical advice" on a variety of EU and competition matters, including merger control and public procurement. Clients describe him as "a very likeable and calm-inducing lawyer." Chambers Europe 2017
• Cormac Little is ‘very knowledgeable and has a good relationship with the regulatory authorities’.  Cormac is described as ‘ultra-reliable’. Legal 500 EMEA 2017
• Interviewees describe Cormac Little as "lightning quick, and able to comprehend complex issues right away, showing that he is committed to our situation." Chambers Europe 2016
• Cormac Little ‘really engages with clients’. Legal 500 2016

Claire Waterson

• Claire advises on state aid appeals for public entities and beneficiary companies. She also stands out for her advice to Irish regulators: "Waterson is perfect, unbelievably organised and extremely responsive." reports one interviewee. "She is second to none on procurement and regulatory topics." Chambers Europe 2020
• Claire has been described by clients as an "excellent lawyer with a calm approach"  who "provides efficient and well-reasoned responses." Another client noted that Claire "is clever and shows keen attention to detail – she makes complex ideas appear simple." Legal 500 2020
• Claire is an established figure with a formidable track record in state aid, public procurement and regulated industries mandates. According to one interviewee, she "is a highly organised and efficient lawyer, very very process-driven, always thinking of the next step and how to maximise your position at every point."Chambers Europe 2019 
• Claire Waterson is "calm, considered and practical," according to market sources. She is regarded as an expert on competition, regulatory and procurement issues. One commentator remarks: "She is very concise, good with clients and knows her stuff. She has a good combination of business sense and competition acumen which is very good for clients." Chambers Europe 2018
• Clients say that she is "very cool and measured, with a real conciseness in how she thinks about issues." Chambers Europe 2017
• Claire is ‘very knowledgeable and has a good relationship with the regulatory authorities’. Legal 500 EMEA 2017 
• Clients say she has a "very smart, analytical brain, and is good on the nuances of EU directives." Chambers Europe 2016

Fiona Barry

• Head of defamation and privacy Fiona Barry is described by clients as “thoughtful, responsive and provides pragmatic advice”.  Media Law International 2021
• According to Chambers Europe 2020, clients appreciate that Fiona is "very careful and thorough," while market commentators highlight her ability to "efficiently find her way to the core of the case." Another clients add that Fiona is "very timely and clear in her advice."
• Fiona Barry is head of the firm's healthcare team and advises on a range of complex medical mandates, including cerebral palsy and neurological cases. One source says: "She is excellent: confident, careful and easy to get on with." Chambers Europe 2019
• Fiona Barry "frequently acts for well-known clients on healthcare and medical negligence matters. She is experienced in advising institutional and private clients on regulatory issues and insurance disputes. She assisted the Medical Protection Society with the defence of a EUR1 million medical negligence claim against a consultant gynaecologist regarding a total abdominal hysterectomy". Chambers Europe 2018
• Fiona Barry holds a commanding position in the medical negligence and healthcare litigation sphere, including regulatory and insurance matters. Clients praise her as being "responsive, knowledgeable and pleasant." Chambers Global 2017
• Fiona Barry is ‘responsive, calm and considered’. Chambers Global 2016

Laura Scott

• Laura has been described as an "expert in all areas of IP." One client reports they have worked with Laura "on a number of cases in the last 12 months ranging from SPC validity proceedings to copyright. We are awaiting judgment in one case where I expected we would lose at the proofs stage but now believe that we will likely win because of the work put in by the team. On the IP side I would rate Fry as the leading firm in Ireland." Another client adds that Laura "stands out for her technical know-how and is an excellent drafter." Legal 500 2020
• Laura has been ranked in IP Stars 2019 as one of the Top 250 Women in IPglobally.  
• Laura Scott  is a highly respected IP practitioner with significant expertise in patent litigation. Sources praise her client-oriented approach, highlighting her "commitment and attention to detail" and adding that "she's a pleasure to deal with." Chambers Europe 2019
• "Outstanding and a real pleasure to work with...Laura is a highly experienced litigator with intimate knowledge of all areas of intellectual property."  WTR1000 2019
• “She is calm under pressure and has a depth of knowledge and experience which inspires confidence in her clients,” observes one source. Chambers Europe 2018
• Laura is "on top of the technical detail...strategic and practical" and is praised for her "attention to detail and drafting skills". Legal 500 EMEA 2018 
• Laura Scott receives plaudits for her trade mark and patent litigation practice, with particular knowledge of the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. Clients say: "She is very hard-working, responsive and dedicated to leaving no stone unturned in considering and communicating all available options. She is also extremely pleasant to work with." Chambers Europe 2017
• Laura Scott has the ‘Midas touch with clients’. Legal 500 EMEA 2017