LAWYER PROFILE
Eleanor Cunningham

Eleanor Cunningham

Europe 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by McCann FitzGerald LLP

Europe

Practice Areas

Pensions and Incentives

Career

Eleanor Cunningham graduated from University College Dublin (LLM) in 2006 and Oxford University (LLM) in 2007 and qualified in 2011. She became a partner in 2018 at McCann FitzGerald LLP and is Head of the Pensions & Incentives Group. She is responsible for advising financial institutions, semi-state bodies, companies, trustees, committees and employees on various pension plans, employee share plans and other incentive plans. Eleanor's practice includes advising on a range of pension issues including scheme restructuring, liability management exercises, benefit design, trustee governance, scheme amendments, dealing with funding deficits and funding proposals, mergers, scheme wind-ups and the impact of pensions and other relevant legislation regarding pensions schemes and their operation. Eleanor also regularly advises on the establishment, amendment, governance and administration of defined contribution schemes and the pensions and incentives aspects of various commercial transactions. Eleanor advises on both Revenue approved tax efficient employee shares schemes and on unapproved employee share schemes and other incentive plans working closely with our Tax Group.

Professional Memberships

The Law Society of Ireland, 2011

Chairman of the Irish Association of Pension Fund’s DC Sub-Committee

Member of the IAPF Council

Chairman of the Irish Pro Share Association

Member of the UK Association of Pension Lawyers

Member of the International Pension and Employee Benefits Association

Member of the Global Equity Organisation

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers European Guide

Employment: Pensions - Ireland

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial
Eleanor Cunningham heads the law firm's pensions and incentives department and focuses her practice on employee share schemes and pensions plans, in addition to advising on IORP II compliance. She acts for trustees and companies in the public and private spheres, and is also adept at dealing with contentious issues.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Eleanor is very proactive and gives very practical and pragmatic advice with a real command of her subject.

    Employment: PensionsChambers European Guide
  • Her ability to navigate complex legal issues with ease reflects her deep expertise and sophisticated approach.

    Employment: PensionsChambers European Guide
  • Eleanor provides a responsive service and brilliant commercial awareness.

    Employment: PensionsChambers European Guide
  • She is very responsive and provides advice that can be acted upon.

    Employment: PensionsChambers European Guide
  • Eleanor provides excellent advice to clients in complex legal issues and challenges.

    Employment: PensionsChambers European Guide

Ranked Individuals at McCann FitzGerald LLP (64)

Ireland

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