Ireland

A&L Goodbody is a leader in the Irish tax market, with distinction in the largest M&A transactions. The firm is also known for its activity within the financial sector, including work for investment banks, equity funds, hedge funds and retail banks, as well as representing numerous corporate businesses. Corporate taxation specialist Paul Fahy leads the tax department, with the support of James Somerville and transactions counsel Philip McQueston.

The firm advised ABC Fitness Solutions on the acquisition of Glofox, the Irish based software provider. It also acted for the Bank of Ireland on the acquisition of the Davy Group for a value of €440 million.

Senior associates Bryan Hughes and Dearbhla O'Gorman arrived during the research period.

Client feedback

“A&L Goodbody has a strong team.”

Arthur Cox is a advisor on innovative Irish transactions, structured finance and real estate portfolio disposals. The tax group focuses on both international and domestic markets, with mandates from multinationals and government bodies. Partner Fintan Clancy is the head of tax, supported by fellow partners Ailish Finnerty, David Kilty and Orlaith Kane.

The firm advised the Mallinckrodt Group pursuant to a $6 billion global corporate and financial restructuring project. It also acted for Linde on its intercompany reorganisation, culminating in the delisting of Linde shares from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Partner Caroline Devlin retired from the practice in July 2023. Tax director Mary Dineen arrived in June 2023.

Client feedback

“Quality and depth of expertise.”

“The Arthur Cox team are very well regarded for their general corporate tax planning and M&A work.”

Deloitte is an internationally reputed tax advisory firm with cross-discipline expertise in M&A, indirect tax, and R&D service lines in cross-border context. Buoyed by an international network, the practice has a vibrant transfer pricing capacity. Applied technology in taxation places the firm at the forefront of innovation across financial services, private equity, e-commerce and the energy sectors. The head of taxation is Lorraine Griffin, assisted by partners Joanne Whelan, Daryl Hanberry, and Matthew Dolan.

Recent highlights include multi-jurisdictional tax diligence, structuring, and post-acquisition integration for an Irish multinational. It also established a branch profit allocation methodology for an insurance firm.

Eversheds Sutherland’s esteemed tax practice is renowned for holding company structures in Ireland and restructuring complex cross-border mergers. The firm is active in finance, real estate, and renewable energy. The full-service Irish law firm offers a multijurisdictional advisory service. Tax planning specialist Alan Connell is managing partner and head of tax, supported by partner Robert Dever and senior associate Andre Vermeulen.

The firm advised GRE in relation to the sale of Westwick and the acquisition of Waterfront. It also advised on dividend withholding tax and asset transference pursuant to a new limited partnership.

Senior associate Andre Vermeulen joined the firm during the research period, with solicitor Pamela Brennan also coming on board. Outbound partner Tim Kiely, senior associate Melissa Daly and solicitor Niall Pilkington all left during that time as well.

Client feedback

“Responsive and clear fee structure.”

“Very knowledgeable, pragmatic, well informed and technically excellent team, who are very supportive of their clients and always ready to assist and advise. Always superbly responsive and solution-focused – the type of people you can readily call up when you have an unusual problem that requires creative thinking without leaving the comfort zone for the executive team.”

“Technically excellent and very well versed in revenue practice. Very responsive, practical and hands on and very accommodating and user-friendly.”

“Extremely knowledge in all aspects of their brief and very efficient and friendly service. Full transparency regarding the work they were doing and associated costs.”

Maples Group focuses its taxation practice on internationally aligned investment funds and platforms. The firm collaborates with its Luxembourg-based team to assist mainland European clients in tandem with offices in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. The firm is comprised of head of tax Andrew Quinn, partners William Fogarty, Lynn Cramer, and counsel David Burke.

The firm advised Heitman on its acquisition of the U-Store-It business in Ireland. It also acted for Oaktree Capital on the disposal of a significant Irish real estate opportunity.

Tax consultant Conall Brennan-McMahon joined the practice during the research period.

Client feedback

“Creative, commercial, problem solvers.”

“Maples tax team provide superb assistance on finance transactions. Committed, commercial, expert and responsive.”

“Very knowledgeable on Irish tax matters, particularly related to the funds (i.e. funds structures, funds financing mechanisms). Very prompt response to queries raised.”

Matheson is a full-service tax practice with distinction in cross-border transactions. The firm provides indirect, incentive planning, controversy, and transfer pricing services. Industry expertise covers insurance, energy, fintech and real estate. The head of tax is partner Shane Hogan, supported by fellow partners Joseph Duffy, Aidan Fahy, Turlough Galvin, Catherine O'Meara and colleagues.

The firm advised Horizon Therapeutics on its announced acquisition by Amgen, valued at approximately $28 billion. It also advised Johnson & Johnson on its Consumer Health business separation.

Client feedback

“Strong on US-Irish transactions.”

“Matheson's M&A practice is very strong.”

“Strong tax practice with specialism across a variety of areas.”

“Matheson provided timely accurate advice on how to structure the acquisition, the drafting of supporting documentation, and liaising with the Irish tax authority about the transaction.”

“Proactive, solution-focused approach.”

“Their technical knowledge is excellent. They communicate very clearly and are a pleasure to deal with. They are responsive and supportive. They were able to demonstrate an understanding of the organisation and issues at hand quickly and were able to ensure we received tailored relevant advice.”

“Practical, responsive, technically strong.”

“Very responsive and practical in their advice. Always pragmatic and solution oriented.”

“Matheson are very knowledgeable in tax controversy, both from a technical tax perspective as well as legal basis perspective. They provide sound technical advice for us to advance our cases with tax authorities. In addition, they have a good working relationship with the tax authorities to enable smooth running projects.”

“Execute on feedback provided by client. Technically strong.”

“Excellent understanding of the Irish tax environment, great connection to the relevant stakeholders in the Irish Revenue. Great at understanding our business and from that jointly developing a strategy for the negotiations.”

“Would highly recommend Matheson. They are very pragmatic and responsive and always commercially minded. They have a good understanding of our business and goals.”

“They have broad knowledge and experience in the specific area we were engaging them on, which was tax related. They had walked the same path many times before and it made us feel at ease we were in good hands. Matheson were able to steer the ship and work along with legal advisors in the other jurisdiction to resolve the matter.”

“It is a very personalised advice.”

“They are pragmatic and provide industry-specific advice in a timely manner. They are always available to bounce ideas off.”

Walkers combines front-end advisory services with transactional tax services for real estate, financial services and regulatory groups. The practice has esteem in debt capital markets and asset class counsel. Walkers is a member firm of the Lex Mundi network with a large global footprint. M&A specialist Jonathan Sheehan heads the tax practice. Investment fund tax partner Aisling Burke is a fellow practitioner.

The firm advised on the establishment and structuring of various CLO transactions. It also acted for asset management firm Eagle Street Partners on an investment structure formation.

During the research period tax consultant Padhraic Mulpeter arrived from William Fry.

Client feedback

“Walkers are solution focused, and keen to understand in detail the business needs and priorities prior to assessing tax requirements.”

“Attentive, diligent, clued-in, highly adaptable.”

“The Walkers tax team are experts in corporate tax planning in Ireland with exceptional knowledge for cross border tax structuring. In all our dealings with Walkers we have found that we collaborate seamlessly on cross border tax projects. All our clients that have been introduced to the Walkers tax team have equally complimented the clarity with which tax advice is delivered.”

William Fry is the only independent, non-audit, multi-disciplinary global tax practice in Ireland. The full-service firm provides complex structuring advice on leading transactions, along with compliance and due diligence services. The firm advises the pharmaceutical, retail and technology sectors. Partner Sonya Manzor is head of tax and works with head of financial services tax, Ted McGrath. Fellow partners Brian Duffy and Anne Tobin comprise the senior leadership.

The firm acted for Amgen on its proposed acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics, valued at $28.3 billion. It also advised the government on a state aid case.

Associates Dorothea Turley and Rachel Gaffey joined the practice. Outgoing partner Declan Lavelle departed to DLA Piper during the research period.

Client feedback

“They are very dedicated and technical and nice to work with.”

“The partners we work with are commercial and responsive. They excellent at explaining detailed, technical tax concepts in a clear and concise manner. They have a deep understanding of international tax structuring matters which we find incredibly beneficial, along with access to world class tax advisory firms through the Taxand network.”

“Strength in depth, clear tax advice, delivery to budget and in a timely fashion.”