A&L Goodbody LLP remains best known for international investment into Ireland's life sciences sector, along with patent and other types of litigation, regulatory enforcement and the structuring of healthcare and life sciences entities. It has advised clients in many of the largest M&A transactions and corporate restructurings of recent times, including private equity and venture capital investments. It also advises a range of non-European Economic Area (EEA) clients on regulatory and compliance obligations in Ireland. Cliona Christle  is joint head of the life sciences and healthcare group, and is a recognised leader in the field. Ronan Lyons is noted for M&A and private equity transactions in the area and John Whelan specialises in regulatory, contentious and commercial matters. Senior associate Róise Nic Ghráinne is noted for regulatory and litigation matters.

Arthur Cox has demonstrated real commitment to the healthcare and life sciences sector, landing it a long list of prominent multinational clients. M&A, regulatory and compliance, product liability, IP and data protection are all part of the firm’s full-service approach to the sector. head of the life sciences group Colin Kavanagh is a prominent figure in corporate, commercial and regulatory issues, while Joanelle O’Cleirigh is highly-rated for her knowledge of the healthcare sector and is an established name in investigations, inquiries and disputes. Elected to the partnership in January 2024, Kylie Dollard is another key specialist in life sciences M&A and corporate transactions. Life sciences M&A expert Bridget Clinton and healthcare specialist Kate O’Donohoe are also pivotal members of the team. Ryan Ferry has left the firm.

Byrne Wallace Shields LLP has demonstrated a significant commitment to health services and social care with a sizeable team that handles cases in District Courts all the way up to the Supreme Court. Its healthcare work covers child protection, health and social care to mental health and care of the elderly and vulnerable adults. It frequently advises health and social care agencies, hospitals, private healthcare providers, service providers, and regulatory and professional representative bodies. Sinéad Kearney SC heads the health and social care team and is a leading figure in child protection and child care law. The firm also has a sizeable team of lawyers that specialise in life sciences, covering start-ups, strategic partnerships, licensing matters, supply chain issues, clinical and regulatory strategies, IPOs and exits. The immensely experienced Colin Sainsbury heads the life sciences department, noted for his experience in M&A transactions and commercial matters, as is Catherine Dowling. Olive Doyle specialises in mental health law and Eoghan Wallace is an expert in child protection and child care law.

Hayes Solicitors LLP is at the forefront of the healthcare sector, with a sizeable team and number of leading practitioners. The firm is best known for clinical defence litigation, including catastrophic injury cases and high-volume claims. It has acted for the Medical Protection Society for over 60 years and the State Claims Agency for more than 20 years. It represents Dental Protection and a range of other significant bodies. Mary Hough is a leader in medical negligence defence and Stephen McGuinness is also highly rated for catastrophic injury claims. Louise O’Rourke is rated for catastrophic brain and spinal injury cases, while Martha Wilson is noted for maternity cases. Katy Meade is a qualified solicitor and nurse, who frequently represents the State Claims Agency.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP has demonstrated a wide-ranging commitment to the healthcare and life sciences sectors, covering key areas such as medical litigation, intellectual property (IP) matters, corporate transactions, regulatory issues and product liability. The healthcare litigation team handles a significant volume of high-value clinical negligence claims. It continues to act for the Clinical Indemnity Scheme of the State Claims Agency and frequently handles cases before the fast-track Cervical Check Tribunal. In life sciences, the firm regularly advises clients on venture capital fundraisings and M&A transactions, while in healthcare it also often advises on M&A transactions and development projects in the nursing home sector. Life sciences regulatory and product liability matters remain central to the practice. Kevin Power is an experienced figure in catastrophic injury claims and cervical screening cases. Michaela Herron leads the life sciences team and has a focus on regulatory compliance, product safety and product liability. Gemma Coady and Keelin Cowhey frequently handle cases for the State Claims Agency. Ciara Deasy is another medical defence specialist. Martin Kelleher heads the corporate team and has an excellent record in life sciences transactions.

Matheson LLP's international focus and commitment to the life sciences sector has brought it a wealth of top clients in the pharmaceutical and medtech sectors, leading to a steady pipeline of transactional, corporate advisory and regulatory advisory instructions. It has continued to work on some of the highest value cross-border transactions in the sector The firm is also a healthcare litigation heavyweight, especially medical malpractice and product liability litigation, while also having a strong presence in healthcare transactions, including a number of recent hospital and nursing home deals. Litigator Rebecca Ryan is a leader in healthcare, disease and product liability cases. Kate McKenna is a key figure for life sciences regulatory matters, while David Fitzgibbon is at the forefront of life sciences M&A, along with John Coary. Emma Doherty specialises in corporate governance for both healthcare and life sciences businesses.

McCann FitzGerald LLP has a broad-based healthcare and life sciences practice covering IP and regulatory issues to product liability, licensing, M&A, spin-offs and strategic alliances. It has a particularly strong reputation in product liability cases, having acted for clients in many of the biggest cases over the last 20 years. It has also landed instructions in most of the large patent disputes in the area and has a solid record in medical malpractice and clinical negligence cases. Roddy Bourke is highly-reputed for product liability cases and mass tort claims. Fiona O’Beirne has vast experience in patent disputes in the medical device, pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical sectors, with Shane O’Brien also prominent in this area. David Lydon has an extensive background in life sciences M&A.

William Fry LLP has an evenly balanced practice with strength in both healthcare and life sciences. It remains active in clinical, professional and product liability claims before all courts, along with patent litigation and product liability disputes in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device sectors. It has an established team in the life sciences regulatory sphere and an outstanding record in life sciences M&A (including headline cross-border transactions) and commercial work. Laura Scott  heads the life sciences team and is a leader in patent disputes, with Charleen O’Keeffe and Colette Brady also having extensive experience in the area. Margaret Muldowney  and Fiona Barry are experienced figures in clinical negligence and Mary Cooney is noted for product liability cases.

Comyn Kelleher Tobin LLP is a leader in healthcare litigation, acting for major clients such as the State Claims Agency, Health Service Executive (HSE) and Medisec. In the sector, the firm has an outstanding record in catastrophic medical negligence, professional negligence, and product liability. It has handled a series of major disability cases and broader social care matters in recent years. Eamon Harrington is a prominent figure in medical negligence defence, while Patrice O’Keeffe is also rated for medical and professional negligence claims, with an emphasis on alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Alison Kelleher, Yvonne Joyce, Katharine Kelleher and Hilda O’Keeffe are also key partners. Lebeau Jonker is also active in multiple cases.

Eversheds Sutherland‘s healthcare litigation team acts for a variety of health insurers, private and public hospitals, along with umbrella organisations. This practice includes malpractice cases including catastrophic birth injuries, delayed cancer diagnoses and misdiagnoses. The life sciences group handles a variety of transactional and regulatory matters, including M&A, venture capital fundraisings and commercial contracts. Consultant Emma Meagher is an experienced figure in clinical negligence claims, with senior associate Brian Connolly also impressing clients.

Kennedys has an active presence in clinical negligence and product liability claims, representing a range of insurers, medical service providers and umbrella organisations, along with medical product manufacturers and healthcare professionals. It has continued to act for clients in catastrophic injury claims and large product liability cases, and represents medical professionals in negligence proceedings before the Medical Council; it remains closely involved in CervicalCheck misdiagnosis claims. Joanne O’Sullivan is a prominent figure in clinical negligence defence and product liability claims, along with legal director Shanna Dunne.

RDJ LLP is a significant player in healthcare litigation, along with transactions, regulatory compliance and data protection matters in the industry. It has a large team dedicated to clinical negligence claims, acting for a range of statutory bodies, health insurers, healthcare operators, hospitals and physicians. It is particularly known for its expertise in catastrophic birth injury cases and frequently represents the State Claims Agency.  Padraic Brennan, Fergal Dennehy and Imelda Tierney are experienced figures in clinical negligence, while Peter Groarke has extensive professional and clinical negligence expertise, along with regulatory experience in the nursing home sector. Diarmaid Gavin and JP Gilmartin have a background in life sciences M&A.

Addleshaw Goddard has an established presence in both healthcare and life sciences. It is particularly noted for its regulatory and administrative expertise, representing a number of administrative bodies and regulatory bodies. The firm is also strong in IP and data protection matters in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, along with M&A transactions, employment issues and real estate deals in both the healthcare and life sciences areas. Ronan O’Neill is a senior litigator with a background in medical and medical regulatory cases. David Hackett is a key figure for IP and data protection matters, while Stephen McLoughlin is noted for fitness to practise inquiries and judicial reviews.

Bird & Bird's status as a global titan in life sciences is evident in the nascent Dublin office, where it represents a number of major multinationals on contentious and non-contentious IP matters, data protection and regulatory issues. The Dublin team frequently works with colleagues around the world on headline cross-border instructions. It is especially active in trade mark infringement and patent revocation matters. In partners Michael Finn and Ann Henry, the latter joining in February 2024, it has two senior IP specialists who are deeply embedded in the life sciences sector. Deirdre Kilroy leads the commercial team and also has a major focus on life sciences.

Carson McDowell has a major presence in clinical negligence defence, now with an established team in Dublin and other senior members that split their time between Belfast and Dublin. The Medical Protection Society and Dental Protection are key clients with the team frequently engaged to defend high-value clinical negligence claims. Jacqueline McAleese  is head of clinical claims, splits her time between Belfast and Dublin, and has defended a number of actions in the Dublin market. Sinéad Keavey heads the Dublin office and has extensive experience in defending clinical negligence claims brought against consultants and general practitioners. Kathleen Byrne and head of the dental claims team Francesca Lowry are also key partners.

DAC Beachcroft Dublin has deep connections to numerous health and social care organisations and is a recognised force in medical defence litigation. It also continues to represent a range of London market insurers that write Irish risks in the medical market. Niamh McKeever leads the healthcare and medical malpractice department and has evolved her practice from being almost exclusively focused on State Claims Agency work to now representing a multitude of international insurers that write Irish healthcare risks.

DLA Piper Ireland LLP has a burgeoning life sciences practice in Ireland, particularly in relation to IP and patent litigation. Data privacy, competition, M&A, regulatory matters and product liability are also core elements of the firm's life sciences offering. It has an extensive list of international life sciences clients. IP partners Aoife Murphy and Gavin Woods have a significant focus on the life sciences sector, which includes multiple patent actions before the Commercial Court.

Philip Lee LLP has a history in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. It continues to frequently advise on the statutory powers and duties of healthcare providers and regulators under Irish healthcare regulations. It has landed a number of new clients in the pharmaceutical industry. Having practised in Ireland and the UK, Marie Kinsella is an experienced healthcare specialist with a background in patient safety issues through to healthcare investigations. Anne Bateman and Ronan Dunne  lead the pharmaceutical and life sciences team.

Pinsent Masons LLP has steadily developed its standing in healthcare and life sciences since the launch of its Dublin office in 2017. The office is still primarily known for patent litigation work, especially where it represents generic companies. It is also active in medicines regulatory advice and IP portfolio advice. The firm has also made an impression in healthcare transactions, particularly in the dental, veterinary, fertility and pharmacy sub-sectors. Maureen Daly has joined the firm as head of IP from Beauchamps LLP and IP specialist Karen Gallagher has been promoted to the partnership. Dorian Rees is also noted for healthcare transactions, alongside the more experienced Neil Keenan. Ann Henry left the firm.