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McCann FitzGerald LLP

Capital Markets: Equity

Global Guide 2026 : Ireland

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McCann FitzGerald LLP

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About

Provided by McCann FitzGerald LLP

The M&A practice at McCann FitzGerald LLP offers unrivalled depth and breadth in the Irish market. Our dedicated lawyers work alongside leading specialists in tax, employment, competition, IP, technology, regulation, property, banking and capital markets to deliver fully integrated advice on complex, high-value transactions. We are the adviser of choice for many of the largest and most sophisticated public and private deals, both domestic and cross-border.

We provide creative, market-driven solutions across joint ventures, reorganisations and takeovers, privatisations, and complex acquisitions of widely held companies. We advise buyers, sellers and financial advisers on public and private M&A, including private equity-backed transactions.

Highlights include advising WestRock on its $20bn combination with Smurfit Kappa; AbbVie on its $63bn acquisition of Allergan; Bain Capital on its $3.2bn acquisition of Diversey Care; Cardinal Health on its $6.1bn acquisition of Medtronic’s medical supplies business; and Amdocs on strategic Irish acquisitions. We have also acted on major transactions for Enterprise Holdings, Exponent Private Equity, GE Healthcare, Greencoat Capital, Horizon Pharma, I Squared Capital, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Lakeland Dairies, Panda Waste, Pfizer and The Ascott Limited, among many others.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Capital Markets: Equity - Ireland

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
McCann FitzGerald is a standout law firm advising clients from a range of industries on M&A transactions and joint ventures. The team additionally handles corporate law mandates, including corporate governance and restructurings. It is highly experienced in cross-border deals, often collaborating with colleagues in the law firm's New York office. McCann FitzGerald also demonstrates top-tier expertise in equity capital markets mandates, possessing an impressive bench of highly regarded lawyers assisting with share placements, IPOs and delistings.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • McCann FitzGerald represented Kerry Co-Operative Creameries in its agreement to acquire Kerry Dairy Ireland.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm has market-leading experts with unique experience in advising listed companies.

    Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

  • McCann FitzGerald is very knowledgeable, practical, commercially focused and astute.

    Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

  • McCann FitzGerald offers a first-class, solution-oriented service.

    Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

  • The firm is very pragmatic in its approach.

    Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

  • The team is very good at providing a rounded view and is able to speak beyond the narrow confines of a legal or technical view and supplement advice with a more commercial perspective.

    Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Ben Gaffikin
    Ben Gaffikin

    Ben Gaffikin

    Ben Gaffikin offers knowledge in private equity investments and cross-border M&A transactions. He has experience assisting clients with both the sell and buy sides of deals.

    • He is an absolute all rounder. He is technically outstanding with the commercial acumen to boot. He is easy to deal with and nothing is ever a problem.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

    • Ben Gaffikin displays a comprehensive understanding of the commercial and financial sides of transactions, as well as the legal. His advice is always clear, concise and actionable.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

    • Ben Gaffikin is an excellent lawyer with a very high level of commercial awareness that means that he provides astute, practical and informed advice.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

    • Ben is very client centric, always available and keeps me in the centre of the fairway whenever I get too excited.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal
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  • Stephen FitzSimons
    Stephen FitzSimons

    Stephen FitzSimons

    Stephen FitzSimons is a highly regarded ECM practitioner advising high-profile clients on listings, delistings and share placements. He frequently assists with complex cross-border transactions.

    • Stephen FitzSimons is a highly experienced adviser who is particularly strong on public M&A and the Irish takeover regime. He is always pleasant to deal with.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

    • Stephen is a very strong adviser with exceptional knowledge of PLCs. He always gives pragmatic, helpful advice.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal
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  • Alan Fuller
    Alan Fuller

    Alan Fuller

    Alan Fuller has experience acting on cross-border deals in the health, transport and insurance sectors.

    • Alan combines legal excellence with strong commercial acumen, with a clear understanding of strategic objectives.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

    • Alan Fuller is always responsive, engaged and entirely solution focused. His presence gives transactions a sense of structure.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal
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  • Gill Lohan
    Gill Lohan

    Gill Lohan

    Gill Lohan is praised by multiple sources for her impressive work ethic and noteworthy experience in share placements and issuances.

    • Gill Lohan is an exceptionally strong subject-matter expert who is innovative and insightful.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

    • She is an excellent practitioner. She has deep technical knowledge but, importantly, allied with an ability to communicate this in a concise manner.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

    • Gill's ability to translate complex legal points into actionable guidance allows for efficient and informed decision making.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

    • Gill is very personable and has strong knowledge in the work and issues associated with listed entities. She provides support but is also able to give the strong advice needed to ensure compliance.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal
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  • David Lydon
    David Lydon

    David Lydon

    David Lydon acts for international private equity houses on cross-border transactions.

    • David Lydon always brings a pragmatic approach to problem resolution and support.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal
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  • John Neeson
    John Neeson

    John Neeson

    John Neeson advises on substantial cross-border transactions, acting for prominent private equity investors. He also assists international corporate clients on strategic M&A activity.

    • He is very responsive, knowledgeable and a strong negotiator.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

    • John Neeson is an excellent, hardworking and conscientious lawyer.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal

    • John provides excellent service in transactions and goes above and beyond in supporting his client.

      Capital Markets: Equity respondentGlobal
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  • Jack Kelly
    Jack Kelly

    Jack Kelly

    Operating from the firm's London office, Jack Kelly is recognised for his growing reputation in ECM mandates involving Ireland. He assists listed companies with corporate governance, in addition to acting on issuances and public M&A governed by Irish Takeover Rules.

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Ranked Individuals at McCann FitzGerald LLP (7)

Ireland

Members

Provided by McCann FitzGerald LLP

McCann FitzGerald LLP has rankings in the following guides

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