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Corporate / M&A

Corporate and M&A have always been the bedrock of our practice at William Fry.

Our team has excellent credentials, a wealth of experience and an impressive depth of expertise.  We consistently have a central role in the most sophisticated and complex corporate transactions and advisory work in Ireland, as well as in large cross-border deals with an Irish aspect.

Our clients include leading Irish and international companies and institutions, public and private, as well as state and public sector bodies.  We are also proud to have acted for many of Ireland’s most successful entrepreneurs.

We are consistently ranked in the top tier of Irish advisers for Corporate and M&A work by leading directories including Chambers Global and Legal 500.  Most recently we have:

  • Consistently ranked in the top 3 for total Irish M&A deal activity by volume.
  • Published Ireland's definitive M&A Review (recent edition (half year review) published in May 2021).
  • Advised on 50% of all reported Venture Capital deals in Ireland where the identities of advisors were disclosed (IVCA 'VenturePulse' survey 2020), more than any other Irish law firm. 

Recent awards include: 

Finance Dublin's Deals of the Year Awards 2021: 

  • ECM- FINEOS Corporation Holdings plc secondary offering
  • M&A – Financial Services Financing & Acquisition - Acquisition of Chill Insurance & Ivernia Insurance by Livingbridge.

Finance Dublin's Deals of the Year Awards 2020:

  • M&A – Acquisition, Public Markets: Avenue Capital’s Investment in Castlehaven Finance
  • M&A – Domestic FS: AIB & First Data’s Acquisition of Payzone
  • M&A – Private – Deal of the Year: Fane Valley Co-Operative Society Acquisition of Silver Hill Foods
  • M&A – Mid-Market: Carlyle Cardinal Ireland Investment in The City Bin Co
  • M&A – Acquisition Financing – Deal of the Year: ATA Group Acquisition of Karnasch Professional Tools GmbH

 

Our Corporate team is centrally involved in the Firm’s sectoral groups, including our Banking & Finance, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Inward Investment/FDI, Private Equity and Technology groups, and is supported by our other Departments to ensure effective and efficient delivery of solutions focused advice.

Recent work includes advising:

  • Carlyle Cardinal on its sale of The City Bin Company
  • Clayton, Dubilier & Rice LLC, the US based private investment firm, on its €3.1bn recommended takeover of UDG Healthcare plc, a global leader in healthcare advisory, communications, commercial, clinical and packaging services.
  • Leading Irish Fintech Fenergo Group, provider of lifecycle management software, on its acquisition by private equity houses Astorg and Bridgepoint and the Fenergo Management team, following which Fenergo is reported to have received Unicorn status 
  • stockbroking and wealth-management firm J&E Davy Group on its sale of its core businesses 
  • August Equity LLP on its Significant Investment into industry-leading security specialist Integrity360
  • Irish headquartered talent solutions company Cpl Resources plc on its €317.8m sale by scheme of arrangement to Japanese publicly listed company, Outsourcing Inc
  • LGC a global life sciences solutions provider on its acquisitions of Safefood 360 and Technopath Clinical Diagnostics
  • Qorvo Inc., the US based leader in RF Solutions on its acquisition of Decawave, the Irish provider of UWB solutions for mobile, automotive and IoT applications
    Uniphar plc on multiple acquisitions, including Durbin, M3 Medical and the Hickey Pharmacy Group
  • The Irish Department of Finance on the proposed sell-down of part of the Irish State's 13.9% shareholding in Bank of Ireland through a pre-arranged trading plan to be managed by Citigroup Global Markets Limited.
  • Fineos Corporation Holdings plc, a leading provider of group and individual core systems for life, accident and health insurance, on its AUS$211 million initial public offering on the Australian Securities Exchange. 
  • Uniphar plc, a distributor and wholesaler to the pharmacy, healthcare and animal health sectors, on its €150m  Initial Public Offering and admission to the Euronext Growth Market of Euronext Dublin and the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM) and separately on its acquisition portfolio
13 Mar
2023

Silicon Valley Bank Position as at 13 March 2023

7 Mar
2023

Outlook - M&A Review 2022

In many respects, 2022 was a year of two halves: the remarkably strong market for dealmaking witnessed in 2021 continued during the first and second quarters of the year, before easing in the second half.

6 Mar
2023

Private equity - M&A Review 2022

Despite headwinds, private equity activity in Ireland in 2022 continued to be strong with a total of 62 transactions.

3 Mar
2023

Inbound activity - M&A Review 2022

Overseas investors remain committed to Ireland: foreign acquirers conducted 216 transactions in the country in 2022

2 Mar
2023

Sector watch - M&A Review 2022

Ireland’s appeal as a place to do business has, in recent years, both attracted multinational groups expanding their operations and supported the growth of domestic companies in a wide range of sectors

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Department 

  • William Fry are known for their "excellent international reach" which is highlighted by sources, who appreciate the firm's ability to "manage overseas law firms on the client's behalf," as well as providing "one point of contact." They're noted by one client for "understanding cross-border financing extremely well," whilst another commends the team for "being helpful and willing to engage on matters relating to US and UK companies and subsidiaries." The Corporate team have been described as "outstanding" with a "strong client base in insurance, pharmaceuticals and financial services." Chambers Global 2020
  • The Corporate team at William Fry is noted for its "pragmatic approach". Clients have noted they have "excellent turnaround times and they're very good at explaining issues in layman’s terms and a very pragmatic approach which worked well." Legal 500 2020
  • Clients appreciate the team's ability to explain complicated legal matters. "The lawyers were able to break down complex issues to help ensure that everyone involved fully understood," says one interviewee, who also highlights the lawyers' "clear, robust and commercially focused advice." Another satisfied client adds that "their main strengths are their knowledge of our business and their instant availability when we need it." Chambers Europe 2020
  • A client states "very professional firm with a good team in place. Their strength is their people and breadth of experience oman various projects". Another client states: "responsive, comprehensive and thorough advice. William Fry are available with advice on tight deadlines when required". IFLR 1000 2019
  • A client lauds the group as being "one of the top firms in Dublin.They deliver a top service and deep resources". Sources appreciate the team's "knowledge and understanding of Irish law, thorough approach and flexibility in incorporating concepts of different jurisdictions into the work". Chambers Europe 2019
  • Interviewees indicate the firm's approach is "the perfect balance of knowledge and getting things done." Sources extol the range of the firm's practice: "They are a strong firm and deal with issues which we raise with them, across a wide spectrum of areas, in a straightforward way." Market observers also note that "William Fry is capable of handling issues for a large multinational and has lots of experience with everything." Chambers Global, 2018
  • 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." Chambers Global, 2017 
  • William Fry has a "proactive and resourceful team’ with "outstanding legal strategists" and "tremendous dealmakers". Legal 500, EMEA 2017
  • "All the people there are exceptional - whoever you work with can take you through the whole process and you will be in excellent hands. There is remarkable strength in depth throughout the team."  "Provides constructive and focused solutions. A strong firm that I'd happily work with again." Chambers Global, 2016
  • William Fry is "an exceptional firm". Legal 500 EMEA, 2016

Team

Bryan Bourke

  • Bryan Bourke has a wealth of experience in public and private M&A deals, as well as joint ventures and corporate reorganisations. "He is very strategic," says one client, who also reports that Bourke "dissects the question and comes up with the right answer." Chambers Global 2020 
  • Bryan Bourke is "admired by clients for his availability. Bourke is a well-known figure in the corporate and transactional market, advising asset managers and corporate finance advisers". Chambers Europe 2019
  • Bryan Bourke "enjoys a strong reputation for assisting clients with the full range of corporate issues. He has a particular focus on major M&A transactions, fund-raising and corporate governance". Chambers Global 2018 
  • Bryan Bourke is highlighted by clients for his "experience, gravitas and judgement." Chambers Global 2017
  • Clients admire his "ability to tackle complex issues, including extremely difficult negotiations with other parties. He is an extremely strong character with a huge reputation." Chambers Global 2016

Myra Garrett

  • Described by market sources as "fantastic," Myra Garrett maintains a strong reputation for her corporate and M&A practice, assisting companies from a range of sectors with transactions and boardroom advice. "Her style is collaborative and engaging, and her approach is firm and decisive," says an impressed client. Chambers Global 2020
  • “Myra Garrett is excellent. She is very good at understanding the client relationship and managing it." Chambers Europe 2020
  • Clients say: "She is excellent at translating our legal position into a commercial reality. She robustly defends the important positions and is a clever and adept negotiator." Garrett advised the Irish Times on its acquisition of Landmark Media Investments. Chambers Europe 2019 
  • Clients say that Myra Garrett is "excellent because she is very deadline-oriented and very customer-friendly." She is well respected among peers and clients for her experience of assisting with M&A transactions, IPOs and public takeovers. She has noted expertise in the technology sector. Chambers Global 2018
  • Myra has a particular focus on advising technology companies on fund-raisings, particularly IPOs and open offers. Sources describe her as "hugely competent." Chambers Global 2017 
  • Myra Garrett is a market-leading ECM lawyer, whose "experience is highly impressive". Clients describe Myra as "a very smart lawyer with good commercial focus."  Chambers Global, 2016

Stephen Keogh

  • Stephen has been ranked for his work in Corporate and M&A in Chambers Global 2020 and Chambers Europe 2020. He has also been ranked as 'Highly Regarded' in IFLR1000 2020. 
  • Stephen is a well-regarded practitioner whom sources describe as "very active in the market." He has experience of acquisitions involving the recruitment and healthcare sectors. Chambers Europe 2019 
  • Stephen Keogh is  "superb". Legal 500 2018
  • Clients say: "He is practical and constructive, explains things clearly and is a skilled negotiator." Chambers Global 2018
  • Clients say he is "top-class: a great guy who does a great job." Chambers Global 2017
  • "Stephen has been extremely helpful at all times - he responds quickly to queries and is generally available if needed”. IFLR 1000 2017 
  • "He has the highest integrity, and is bright, commercial, solution-focused and always gets results."  Chambers Global 2016

Alvin Price

  • Consultant Alvin Price is "well versed in advising international and domestic clients on all aspects of commercial law. He has significant expertise in Irish takeover law and remains active in domestic M&A transactions". Chambers Global 2018
  • Alvin Price is seen by clients as "an extraordinarily strategic individual." Chambers Global 2017

Mark Quealy

  • Mark regularly acts for companies on cross-border disposals to private equity funds. Clients value Mark's knowledge and experience, with one source reporting: "He is very knowledgeable in terms of the market and gives good guidance." Chambers Global 2020
  • Mark progresses in the rankings, with one client describing him as "very proactive and pragmatic," and another saying that "he is very focused on commercial outcomes." He has particular experience of transactions involving private equity and venture capital elements. Chambers Europe 2019
  • Mark Quealy is "well-prepared." Legal 500 2018
  • Clients appreciate that he is "very quick to determine what to do from a practical point of view to get the deal over the line quickly." He has played a key role on numerous recent acquisitions. Chambers Global 2018

Shane Kelleher

  • Shane has been ranked in Chambers FinTech 2020, one interviewee says: “Shane is up there as one of the experts in payment licences, e-money and in working with lots of FinTechs." 
  • Shane has been described by clients as "Diligent, responsive, efficient, knowledgeable and having good regulator relations." Another client adds that he "is an outstanding regulatory lawyer. He deals expertly with highly technical matters and is extremely responsive and pro-active. He is very highly respected by both our in-house legal team and the wider business." IFLR1000 2020
  • Clients describe Shane as "an outstanding regulatory lawyer. He deals expertly with highly technical matters and is extremely responsive and pro-active. He is very highly respected by both our in-house legal team and the wider business."... "He is highly responsive and knowledgeable with respect to the FinTech legal and regulatory space. He brings a forthright and challenging mind-set with a keen eye on the commercial aspects of each regulatory challenge."..."Diligent, responsive, efficient, knowledgeable and good regulator relations." IFLR 1000 2019
  • Clients appreciate his “extremely strong regulatory advice, which adopts a sensible risk based approach to issues. Huge attention to detail and depth of knowledge.” IFLR 1000 2018

Key Contacts

Bryan Bourke Consultant

Stephen Keogh Partner

Andrew McIntyre Partner

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