A&L Goodbody LLP has an established presence in insurance, including transactional, advisory, regulatory and contentious matters. The firm has demonstrated its leading expertise in regulatory issues in recent years, including cross-border conversion and Brexit-related insurance projects. It is also noted for business and product launches, along with portfolio transfers. James Grennan heads the insurance and reinsurance group, having a long track record in regulatory matters. Laura Mulleady is noted for regulatory and transactional matters, including business transfers and amalgamations, and, more recently, Brexit-related issues. Enda Hurley is recommended for insurance disputes. Sinéad Lynch and Stephen Quinlivan, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, are also key practitioners.

Arthur Cox combines well-developed non-contentious and contentious insurance practices. The firm has continued to advise on a pipeline of cross-border M&A transactions, portfolio transfers and regulatory matters. In the contentious sphere, the firm has a fine record in professional indemnity, regulatory investigations and liability defence claims. Elizabeth Bothwell has an outstanding record in insurance M&A and portfolio transfers. Joanelle O’Cleirigh has a fine reputation in insurance disputes, coverage issues and policy interpretation. Litigation partners Richard Willis and Michael Twomey, along with financial regulation specialist Robert Cain, are also key figures in the team. Of counsel Stephen D’Ardis joined the firm from MetLife Europe to reinforce the team in 2022 and now plays a pivotal role on many of the firm’s key insurance matters.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP applies significant resources and expertise to non-contentious and contentious matters. The breadth of its contentious practice covers medical negligence, personal injury, aviation, product liability, professional indemnity, data breach litigation, and construction cases, among others. It acts for a range of domestic and international insurers and reinsurers, along with the State Claims Agency. Led by Liam Flynn, the non-contentious team has worked on a series of insurance business asset sales, investigations, corporate governance and regulatory issues. Rachel Kavanagh leads the insurance and risk (disputes) group and has an excellent record in cases across the insurance sphere, including personal injury claims, property damage claims and product liability. Deirdre Munnelly is noted for defending clients against public and employer’s liability, motor and product liability claims. The senior bench is backed by a highly-rated group of associates.

Matheson LLP continues to stand out for its experience and expertise in corporate insurance, including M&A, portfolio transfers, corporate governance and regulatory matters. Along with its strong connections to major insurers and reinsurers, the firm has also landed a sizeable book of business from insurance intermediaries, particularly in relation to regulatory advice. It has achieved further growth in key areas such as sanctions and ESG. The firm has expanded its ranks at partner level over the last three years, showcasing the strength of its practice. Darren Maher is a leading figure in the corporate insurance field, while Gráinne Callanan provides further senior expertise in corporate and regulatory insurance. Elaine Long is another key partner in corporate insurance. April McClements leads the insurance disputes team, which has made a further impact in aviation insurance cases, subrogation claims and COVID-19 business interruption. Insurance disputes specialist Aisling Kavanagh was promoted to partner in 2023.

McCann FitzGerald LLP has a broad client base of insurers and reinsurers, including those for which it is exclusive Irish corporate and regulatory counsel. It has continued to advise major multinational insurers on high-value M&A transactions and is at the forefront of insurance disputes, including business interruption cases. ESG, sanctions and outsourcing are growth areas for the insurance team. Darragh Murphy is at the forefront of insurance regulatory matters and Brian Quigley is a leader in insurance disputes, along with Catherine Derrig, who specialises in health insurance and professional indemnity. Helen Kilroy and Roddy Bourke are also noted for insurance disputes. Associate Donnchadh Ó Collatáin is a rising star.

William Fry LLP has demonstrated a commitment to the insurance sector over the years. It has an extensive history in corporate and regulatory matters, including M&A transactions and portfolio transfers, along with growth in insurtech, ESG and sustainable finance. Leading corporate and regulatory specialist Eoin Caulfield heads the insurance and reinsurance group, which includes fellow corporate and regulatory expert Ian Murray. Paul Convery is an experienced dispute resolution specialist, who is active in the insurance sector. John Larkin is now a senior consultant with the team and plays a key role on many of the firm’s top engagements. Rising star Niall Campbell joined the firm as a consultant from Pinsent Masons LLP in February 2023.

Addleshaw Goddard has a major focus on the insurance market, earning accolades for its work in the corporate and regulatory fields, along with new product launches and disputes; the firm is frequently engaged in professional negligence cases and policy disputes. Along with its insurance regulation capabilities, the breadth of its offering includes additional experts in data protection, technology and other areas. Garrett Miller leads the insurance regulation group, and continues to be noted for the launch and authorisation of insurers and new products. David Cantrell has an outstanding record in professional negligence, with Caoilfhionn Ní Chuanacháin providing further senior expertise in this area.

Beale & Co LLP is a specialist insurance firm with an emphasis on disputes and policy coverage matters. The firm has an outstanding reputation in the professional indemnity field, acting for insurers and policyholders in defending claims against professionals and financial lines, specifically non-medical professions. It acts for most of the major insurers that provide professional indemnity cover to solicitors. The firm has achieved further growth in policy coverage issues linked to sanctions imposed on Russia as a consequence of its invasion of Ukraine. Tara Cosgrove is a leading name in professional indemnity, along with Niamh Loughran and Sarah Conroy.

DAC Beachcroft Dublin forms part of a global titan in insurance. The Dublin team has wide-ranging expertise, notably in defending against personal injury claims, professional indemnity, corporate liability, and cyber and data risk. The group is also at the forefront of medical and dental defence litigation. David Kennedy and John Sheehy are prominent practitioners in personal injury, including public liability, employers’ liability, defamation and motor claims. Niamh McKeever leads the healthcare and medical malpractice team, and has practised in the UK and Ireland. Louise O’Reilly is a key figure for professional negligence.

Dillon Eustace fields a large specialist insurance team with strong expertise in product liability, D&O, motor, business interruption and professional indemnity claims, along with aviation and marine cases. The team has worked intensively in representing aircraft lessors seeking insurance cover for lost aircraft after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The firm also has an established insurance regulatory group, which is especially active in business and product launches, and regulatory approvals. Keith Waine is a key figure for insurance regulatory matters, with Peter Bredin, John O’Riordan and Rachel Turner rated for contentious insurance.

Eversheds Sutherland has experienced a considerable evolution within its insurance practice, transitioning from one that was primarily focused on claims handling, to one which now encompasses a spread of insurance engagements from regulatory compliance and advisory to professional negligence, medical negligence and construction disputes. It has achieved significant growth in insurance regulatory matters and construction insurance. Cybercrime and data protection is another forte. The team acts for a large number of international insurers, among others. Pamela O’Neill leads the litigation and dispute resolution team, noted for her expertise in insurance regulatory disputes and investigations. Dermot McEvoy is an experienced figure in defending clients against professional negligence, D&O and business interruption claims. Stephen Barry is a prolific practitioner in professional indemnity and commercial disputes. Women’s medical negligence specialist Emma Meagher has joined as a consultant.

Hayes Solicitors LLP is a leader in clinical defence litigation with a large team, including eight partners, dedicated to the area. Much of the practice centres on catastrophic injury claims alongside high-volume claims. It is gaining further experience in group litigation, including claims stemming from the Covid-19 vaccine. It handles claims for state agencies such as the State Claims Agency (SCA) and also acts for the Medical Protection Society (MPS) and Dental Protection. The firm has also gained recognition for its product liability, employers’ liability and public liability expertise. Mary Hough leads the healthcare team, with managing partner Joseph O’Malley, Louise O’Rourke, Stephen McGuinness and Robbie Slattery also providing senior expertise in the field.

Holmes O'Malley Sexton remains best known for professional negligence, personal injury and property damage disputes. The firm acts for a large proportion of insurers that cover the risk insurance market in Ireland. It has an established record in employers’ liability, public liability and motor claims, with additional strength in business interruption claims, cyber and data privacy cases, and D&O. Managing partner Harry Fehily has vast experience in the insurance market, including business interruption claims. George Kennedy is rated for professional and medical negligence, notably catastrophic and large loss claims. Donal Creaton is another key partner.

Kennedys is a global giant in the insurance sector, with the Dublin team playing an increasingly pivotal role in upholding the firm’s reputation. The group is frequently engaged in many of the biggest cases in the market, including the headline claims by aircraft lessors arising from the Russia-Ukraine war. It has demonstrated its expertise in a range of key areas, from business interruption, construction and political risks to personal injury, clinical negligence, professional indemnity, and transport and logistics. The large team boasts experienced partners, including Andrew McGahey, a prominent name in financial lines, D&O, political risk and business interruption. Joanne O’Sullivan specialises in catastrophic injuries, Noel Devins is rated for professional indemnity claims in the construction industry and business interruption cases, and Hugh Kennedy is a leader in shipping insurance. David Strahan is also highly rated. Catherine Lyons was promoted to partner in May 2023.

LK Shields Solicitors LLP has a rich heritage in insurance disputes, especially professional indemnity, construction and aviation-related claims, along with D&O, cyber and employer liability. Head of the insurance disputes team Shane Neville and partner Ian Lavelle have continued to forge close connections to London-based insurers; Lavelle previously practised in London before joining the firm. The wider team has sustained further growth in construction-related claims, another forte for Lavelle, and insurance regulatory work.

RDJ LLP has one of the largest insurance teams in the market, recognised especially for its dedication to the professional indemnity field, along with further casualty and liability claims in multiple sectors. It has more than 40 partners operating in the area. The firm acts for a multitude of international insurers in professional indemnity claims, along with the State Claims Agency, local authorities and a number of self-insured entities. Richard Martin is at the forefront of professional indemnity and coverage disputes. Head of the Dublin office Jamie Olden is another senior professional indemnity specialist, while Donal Twomey is a key figure for claims against construction professionals. The firm remains close to the London insurance market, with Uilliam Ó Lorcáin a key contact for London-based clients.

Beauchamps LLP is developing ever-stronger connections to Ireland and London-based market insurers and brokers, which have afforded it a growing number of high-value and large-scale engagements, including Commercial Court proceedings relating to the impounding of aircraft following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The firm is also rated for professional indemnity, particularly defending claims against solicitors. Ciara Murphy leads many of the firm’s key engagements, with Emma Keegan providing further senior-level support.

ByrneWallace LLP handles a mix of transactional, advisory, regulatory and disputes matters in the insurance field. It acts for insurers, commercial clients and public sector bodies. It also continues to advise the Environmental Protection Agency in connection with environmental impairment liability insurance policies. Jon Legorburu heads the litigation and dispute resolution group and leads the insurance team. Mona Costelloe and Louise Holmes provide additional insurance expertise.

Carson McDowell has a giant insurance practice split between its Dublin and Belfast offices. It has a formidable presence in clinical negligence, with further expertise in personal injury. Much of the Dublin team’s work centres on representing the Medical Protection Society. Head of clinical claims Jacqueline McAleese works across both Dublin and Belfast and continues to defend large claims in Ireland. Managing partner and head of healthcare Roger McMillan also practises in both jurisdictions. Head of the Dublin office Sinéad Keavey is a senior name in clinical negligence defence, along with fellow Dublin partner Kathleen Byrne.

Comyn Kelleher Tobin LLP has an immense record in defending clients against personal injury and professional negligence claims. This includes public, employers' and occupiers’ liability matters, along with major clinical negligence claims. The firm acts for the Health Service Executive, State Claims Agency and a range of insurers and reinsurers. In Cork, Eamon Harrington is rated for medical negligence and personal injury claims, and managing partner Deborah Moore is another leader in clinical negligence. Daniel McLoughlin and Nicola Kiely are also key partners.

Fieldfisher has an extensive client list of domestic insurers, international underwriters and self-insured commercial entities. The wide-ranging practice includes employer liability, motor insurance, public liability, professional negligence and product liability. Killian O’Reilly has over 27 years’ experience in insurance law and insurance litigation matters, including casualty and professional negligence claims. Legal director Neil Cahill is another experienced figure.