Bernard McEvoy

Partner

Bernard McEvoy

Partner

Memberships
  • Law Society of Ireland
  • Law Society of England and Wales
Education
  • BCL, University College Dublin (1978)
  • Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland (1982)
  • Solicitor, England and Wales (1997)

Bernard, a senior partner, joined Philip Lee in August 2020 following the firm’s merger with McEvoy Corporate Law. He is now based between our Dublin and London offices.

Bernard is an energetic and extremely experienced corporate/commercial lawyer. Starting out in banking and property over 40 years ago, he was encouraged by his substantial client base to deal with their corporate and commercial matters. He has spent the vast majority of his career on these matters, both national and international, whilst handling high level dispute resolution, including fraud recovery and corporate restructuring.

Prior to joining Philip Lee, Bernard was the managing partner and founder of McEvoy Corporate Law (a boutique corporate/commercial law firm), having previously been a partner in an international firm based in London where he set up and managed the Irish team of that firm. During his years of practice, Bernard has built up extensive experience skill and know-how in all areas where business and law interact.

With his experience, there are few corporate/commercial documents that he has not dealt with. He also has considerable transaction experience in the commercial aspects, the negotiation and the legalities, so whether the business or product is being restructured, merging, sold, bought, capitalised or securitised, he will add value.

His clients include persons and entities who are based abroad or operate internationally from Ireland. Bernard provides a fast and effective service and communicates clearly. He works with a number of associates to help facilitate these services.

Representative Matters

      • Advised the beneficiaries of a pension fund in relation to the alleged fraudulent misappropriation of over €7 million of their pension assets. This is a cross-border matter involving multiple parties including various financial institutions.
      • Advised Origin Enterprises plc on the merger of their fish oil and meal business reported at €78 million.
      • Advised the leading healthcare IT supplier IMS MAXIMS cross border examinership under the European Insolvency Regulations and related investment including Letter of Request from the Irish High Court to the High Court of England and Wales under the European Communities (Corporate Insolvency) Regulations 2002.
      • Advised EQTEC plc on its share capital reorganisation, Rule 9 whitewash and waiver from the Irish Take Over Panel.
      • Advised the majority sellers on the sale of Ardmore Studios Limited and Troy Studios Limited reported at $100m.
      • Advised Great Northern Distillery Limited acquisition of Harp Brewery and financing under the Employment Investment Incentive Scheme.
      • Advised Petrel Resources plc arbitration before the International Court of Arbitration concerning exploration rights in the Porcupine Basin of the Atlantic Ocean.
      • Advised Shay Murtagh (Precast) Ltd acquisition of UK incorporated Evans Concrete Limited.
      • Advised on the sale of Cooley Distillery to US firm Jim Beam (the fourth-biggest spirits company in the world) for $95 million (€73 million).
      • Advised an Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicle (ICAV) on the acquisition of nursing home portfolios.

Bernard, a senior partner, joined Philip Lee in August 2020 following the firm’s merger with McEvoy Corporate Law. He is now based between our Dublin and London offices.

Bernard is an energetic and extremely experienced corporate/commercial lawyer. Starting out in banking and property over 40 years ago, he was encouraged by his substantial client base to deal with their corporate and commercial matters. He has spent the vast majority of his career on these matters, both national and international, whilst handling high level dispute resolution, including fraud recovery and corporate restructuring.

Prior to joining Philip Lee, Bernard was the managing partner and founder of McEvoy Corporate Law (a boutique corporate/commercial law firm), having previously been a partner in an international firm based in London where he set up and managed the Irish team of that firm. During his years of practice, Bernard has built up extensive experience skill and know-how in all areas where business and law interact.

With his experience, there are few corporate/commercial documents that he has not dealt with. He also has considerable transaction experience in the commercial aspects, the negotiation and the legalities, so whether the business or product is being restructured, merging, sold, bought, capitalised or securitised, he will add value.

His clients include persons and entities who are based abroad or operate internationally from Ireland. Bernard provides a fast and effective service and communicates clearly. He works with a number of associates to help facilitate these services.

Representative Matters

      • Advised the beneficiaries of a pension fund in relation to the alleged fraudulent misappropriation of over €7 million of their pension assets. This is a cross-border matter involving multiple parties including various financial institutions.
      • Advised Origin Enterprises plc on the merger of their fish oil and meal business reported at €78 million.
      • Advised the leading healthcare IT supplier IMS MAXIMS cross border examinership under the European Insolvency Regulations and related investment including Letter of Request from the Irish High Court to the High Court of England and Wales under the European Communities (Corporate Insolvency) Regulations 2002.
      • Advised EQTEC plc on its share capital reorganisation, Rule 9 whitewash and waiver from the Irish Take Over Panel.
      • Advised the majority sellers on the sale of Ardmore Studios Limited and Troy Studios Limited reported at $100m.
      • Advised Great Northern Distillery Limited acquisition of Harp Brewery and financing under the Employment Investment Incentive Scheme.
      • Advised Petrel Resources plc arbitration before the International Court of Arbitration concerning exploration rights in the Porcupine Basin of the Atlantic Ocean.
      • Advised Shay Murtagh (Precast) Ltd acquisition of UK incorporated Evans Concrete Limited.
      • Advised on the sale of Cooley Distillery to US firm Jim Beam (the fourth-biggest spirits company in the world) for $95 million (€73 million).
      • Advised an Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicle (ICAV) on the acquisition of nursing home portfolios.
Memberships
  • Law Society of Ireland
  • Law Society of England and Wales
Education
  • BCL, University College Dublin (1978)
  • Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland (1982)
  • Solicitor, England and Wales (1997)

Bernard McEvoy is astute, has a common-sense approach, and is straight talking and commercial.

Legal 500, 2021

Recent transactions and projects

JB Barry & Partners

JB Barry & Partners

A Philip Lee team, led by corporate partners Rebecca McEvoy, Bernard McEvoy and associate Olivia Creaven, has advised the sellers on the sale of JB Barry & Partners to French company Egis.  JB Barry is a Dublin headquartered civil engineering business which was...

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Delsk

Delsk

International investment company Delsk has sold three of its newly developed nursing homes to Aedifica, a listed company specialising in investments in European healthcare real estate, for approx. €57m. The newly-constructed nursing homes are based in Duleek, Co...

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Skelligs Chocolate

Skelligs Chocolate

Kerry-based chocolate and confectionery producer, Skelligs Chocolate, has been acquired from owner Colm Healy by a business entity connected to the McKillen Corporation. Skelligs Chocolate currently employs approximately 25 people and makes a range of confectionery...

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News and insights

The Irish Times – M&A Special Report

The Irish Times – M&A Special Report

Key Contacts: Andreas McConnell - Partner  |  Bernard McEvoy - Partner Corporate partners Andreas McConnell and Bernard McEvoy feature in today's Irish Times Mergers and Acquisitions Special Report. The report analyses a bumper year for M&A in Ireland and the...

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