A&L Goodbody LLP’s commercial and technology team continues to lead the way when it comes to handling the full spectrum of IP matters in Ireland, acting on contentious and non-contentious mandates for a broad range of clients. The practice is led by John Whelan, who has extensive experience of handling high-profile IP disputes for technology and pharma companies. John Cahir is the go-to person for IP law matters for many domestic and international clients, while Andrew Sheridan specialises in matters related to data regulation and privacy. Other key members of the team include Chris Bollard, Mark Ellis and Aideen Burke, who joined the firm in November 2023 from LK Shields Solicitors LLP.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP handles the full range of contentious and non-contentious IP matters for clients from a wide range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, retail, IT, financial services, and entertainment. Key services include advice on registering trade marks, IP litigation, and management of IP portfolios. The practice is led by litigation expert Gerard Kelly, who regularly represents clients in high-profile IP litigation before all levels of the Irish courts. Hazel McDwyer is a recognised IP rights practitioner who regularly assists clients with matters related to brand protection and patent infringement. Other key contacts include Eimear O’Brien, Jane Bourke, and John Milligan.

McCann FitzGerald LLP undertakes IP law mandates for a variety of domestic and international clients, with particular expertise in the life sciences, IT, and retail sectors. Contentious IP practice head Fiona O’Beirne has significant experience of litigation related to trade marks and infringement and works closely with patent disputes expert Shane O’Brien. Paul Lavery, the head of the non-contentious IP practice, regularly advises on technology, outsourcing, naming rights, and confidentiality matters, with strong support from Adam Finlay, who specialises in the drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements related to the ownership and use of intellectual property. Eoin Martyn is also recommended.

Whitney Moore continues to maintain its strong presence in the full range of contentious intellectual property affairs, representing clients in trade mark and copyright infringement claims, as well as patent litigation. Practice head Robin Hayes has built an impressive reputation for handling contentious trade mark cases and regularly represents clients from a broad array of sectors, including manufacturing, sports, technology, and pharmaceuticals, in domestic and cross-border litigation proceedings before the Irish courts.

The sizeable team at William Fry LLP has a strong IP practice, with particular expertise in contentious matters, where it assists high-profile technology, pharma, and FMCG clients with matters related to the infringement of trade marks, copyright, and patents. The firm also has a significant non-contentious practice, advising on the protection and exploitation of IP rights, multi-jurisdictional patents, and the management of trade mark portfolios. Laura Scott heads the firm’s contentious IP practice and regularly handles large-scale litigation before the Irish Commercial Court, while Leo Moore leads the non-contentious practice and assists clients with brand protection strategies. David Cullen, Charleen O’Keeffe, and Colette Brady are other key members of the team.

The intellectual property team at Arthur Cox works closely with the firm’s tax and corporate departments to provide holistic advice on all contentious and non-contentious matters related to IP law. Key areas of strength include handling complex IP litigation and the commercialisation of IP assets for both domestic and international clients from a broad spectrum of sectors, including technology, FMCG, fashion, and retail. Olivia Mullooly heads the practice and regularly advises on the protection, development and exploitation of IP rights, as well as data protection compliance and commercial contracts. Keith Smith and Naoise Cosgrove assist with matters related to IP litigation.

DFMG Solicitors continues to handle intellectual property matters for a diverse set of clients from multiple sectors, including pharmaceuticals, retail, financial services, manufacturing, FMCG, technology and sports. Renowned for its robust contentious practice, the firm guides clients through litigation arising from patent, trade mark, and copyright infringement. On the non-contentious side, the team advises on the registration of trade marks, licensing, data protection, technology agreements, and the IP aspects of employment law. Patricia McGovern heads the practice and has extensive experience of managing complex trade mark portfolios and the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

Situated within Matheson LLP‘s technology and innovation group, the intellectual property team collaborates closely with the firm’s litigation group, delivering extensive advice on contentious issues stemming from patent infringement, counterfeiting, and content liability. In addition to this, the team is highly active on the non-contentious front and advises domestic and international clients on Irish IP documentation, IP rights, brand protection, trade marks, and IP-related due diligence. Practice head Anne-Marie Bohan has a strong focus on the management, commercialisation, and licensing of intellectual property, with continuous support from Nicola Dunleavy and Carlo Salizzo.

Acuatus is a boutique intellectual property law firm that acts for a variety of domestic and international clients and offers specialist advice on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious IP matters. The practice is led by Alistair Payne, who regularly handles litigation arising from patent and trade mark infringement and assists clients with setting up copyright and trade mark portfolios.

The technology and intellectual property team at Beauchamps LLP advises clients on the full spectrum of intellectual property matters, including filing strategies, the commercialisation, and licensing of IP, and the management of IP portfolios. Other key services include IP-related due diligence and representing clients before the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland and the European Union Intellectual Property Office. Edward Evans brings notable expertise in supporting clients within the sports industry, focusing on licensing agreements and the safeguarding and exploitation of IP rights, while Paul Gough specialises in advising employers on the intellectual property clauses of employment contracts. Damian Maloney is another key contact.

Eversheds Sutherland LLP‘s intellectual property, technology, and data protection team delivers comprehensive advice on the complete lifecycle of intellectual property, spanning creation, exploitation, protection, and defence. The team advises clients from a broad range of sectors, including technology, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and education. Marie McGinley heads the practice, while other key contacts include Peter O’Neill and Ellie Cater.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s intellectual property team stands out for its strong patent litigation practice, assisting major Irish clients with proceedings arising from patent revocation and infringement, with specific expertise in the pharmaceuticals sector. The team also provides comprehensive advice on the registration and enforcement of trade marks and the exploitation of IP through licensing and franchising. Practice head Karen Gallagher specialises in contentious IP matters and regularly represents clients before the Irish courts. The team was further strengthened by the arrival of Maureen Daly from Beauchamps LLP in November 2023.

The intellectual property team at Addleshaw Goddard works with a multitude of domestic and international clients on IP matters, with particular expertise in the management of trade mark portfolios. David Hackett heads the practice and regularly offers advice on trade mark issues, along with data protection and privacy law, while Jane Farren handles a variety of contentious and non-contentious IP matters and specialises in domain names, designs, and patents.

Browne Jacobson Ireland LLP has a full-service intellectual property practice, advising clients on IP management and risks, licensing structures, and the review of IP contracts. Ciarán Markey specialises in IP and competition law disputes and heads the contentious side of the practice, while Jeanne Kelly takes the lead on the non-contentious side and has extensive experience of handling outsourcing projects and intellectual asset management.

ByrneWallace LLP’s intellectual property team boasts significant expertise in contentious IP matters, regularly representing clients in trade mark and copyright litigation before the Commercial Court. In addition to this, the team has an enviable non-contentious offering, advising both private and public sector clients on design protection, IP commercialisation, and due diligence. The practice is led by the duo of life sciences expert Colin Sainsbury and Mark O’Shaughnessy, who specialises in IP disputes. Victor Timon and Catherine Dowling are also recommended.

DLA Piper Ireland LLP relies on its global presence to assist clients with intellectual property and patent matters around the world. The team was strengthened in May 2023 by the arrival of Aoife Murphy from Whitney Moore; Murphy specialises in multi-jurisdictional patent disputes and jointly heads the team with financial services expert Mark Rasdale and experienced technology practitioner John Magee, who regularly advises on trade mark and copyright licensing. Gavin Woods has extensive expertise in contentious patent, copyright and trade mark matters, including claims of infringement.

Flynn O'Driscoll’s data privacy and intellectual property practice has built a strong presence in the technology sector, assisting clients with the drafting of agreements related to the development, ownership, protection, and licensing of intellectual property. The practice is led by Laura Myles, who regularly advises on the acquisition, management, and enforcement of IP rights. Hannah Lynch is another key contact.

The intellectual property team at Hayes Solicitors LLP continues to work on complex and high-value IP matters, with notable expertise in the sports, media and advertising sectors. Renowned as a trade mark expert, practice head David Phelan provides comprehensive advice on a broad spectrum of both contentious and non-contentious IP issues. The duo of Jeremy Erwin and Laura Fannin regularly assists clients with trade mark registration and IP protection in Ireland, while Matthew Austin specialises in matters related to online and digital copyright licensing. The team is further strengthened by the expertise of IP rights specialist Cian Clinch.

The intellectual property, technology and data privacy team at LK Shields Solicitors LLP offers comprehensive advice on all contentious and non-contentious aspects of IP rights. In addition to offering strategic guidance on brand protection, the team also represents clients before the Irish and EU Intellectual Property Offices. Recently promoted partner Jane O’Grady, who is dual qualified as a trade mark and design attorney, has extensive experience of advising clients on the exploitation and commercialisation of intellectual property.

RDJ LLP advises a broad spectrum of domestic and international clients on the acquisition and commercialisation of intellectual property in Ireland. The non-contentious IP practice is led by Diarmaid Gavin, who boasts considerable expertise in knowledge transfer, collaborative research, and IP licensing matters, while the contentious practice is led by litigation expert Darryl Broderick, who specialises in media and IP disputes. Other key members include Marie Gavin, Elena Vassileva, and Stephanie Coughlan.