Arthur Cox impresses with the breadth of its offering in the fintech space, acting for an array of global financial institutions and leading fintech companies. The team has recently been highly active in advising major banks and investment firms on the procurement of new tech, and also stands out for its expertise in financial regulatory work, with a strong record of assisting international fintechs establishing entities in Ireland. Robert Cain leads the financial regulatory practice, where Belfast and Dublin-based Sarah Thompson is also a key contact, while Ian Duffy specialises in outsourcing, digital transformation projects and data protection.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP‘s ‘commercial, responsive and knowledgeable‘ practice spans fintech and payments; insurtech; financial services outsourcing and privacy; and AI, where the firm expanded its offering with the arrival of Brian McElligott from an in-house role in January 2023. The team advises an enviable roster of leading fintechs on regulation, e-money and crypto licensing, and on the rollout of new products in the Irish market. It also counts major global tech companies amongst its clients. Liam Flynn, a go-to adviser on insurtech, leads the team with Rowena Fitzgerald, who is a ‘master‘ of fintech regulatory issues. ‘Strong advocate‘ Sarah Cloonan is also noted.

Matheson LLP fields a ‘market-leading team with superb regulatory insights‘ in the fintech sector, which acts for a host of major international fintechs. The team has significant expertise in advising such clients in the virtual assets space and frequently advises on the authorisation of e-money institutions and virtual asset providers, and it is also skilled in assisting financial services clients with tech and outsourcing projects. Joe Beashel, who is an ‘expert in the field‘ of payments and e-money, heads the financial institutions group, where Ian O’Mara, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, and Louise Dobbyn are also key contacts. Anne-Marie Bohan leads the tech and innovation group.

McCann FitzGerald LLP houses a wide-ranging fintech practice which handles sophisticated mandates across the fields of financial services regulation, disputes, tax, corporate, data protection, cyber security and venture capital. The team is particularly well-regarded for its expertise in financial services regulation, where practice head Josh Hogan has a strong reputation for advising financial institutions and fintech companies, among others, on regulatory compliance, authorisations, and the launch of new products and platforms. Doug McMahon and Adam Finlay, who are recommended for their advice on data protection, cyber security, tech and outsourcing agreements, are also names to note.

William Fry LLP‘s ‘superb' multi-disciplinary fintech group has expertise in the full spectrum of financial regulatory, tech, data protection and corporate matters in this space. The firm has a thriving practice relating to the regulatory authorisation of e-money institutions and virtual asset and crowdfunding service providers, and its offering also extends to advising global fintechs, start-ups and tech multinationals on the launch of new products and on the procurement of new tech. Financial regulatory specialist Shane Kelleher and John O’Connor, a ‘market leader‘ in tech, outsourcing and data protection, head the team. Louise McNabola is also noted for her regulatory work, while Máire O’Neill focuses on fintech M&A.

A&L Goodbody LLP‘s ‘excellent‘ team is well-versed in advising start-ups and established global fintech companies, particularly in the payments and crypto spaces, on regulatory authorisations, compliance and new product offerings. Additionally, the team has experience acting for leading financial institutions and tech companies. The firm is also well-equipped to advise on tax, financial, data protection and outsourcing matters in the fintech sector. Kevin Allen focuses on financial regulation, Peter Walker specialises in capital markets-related work, and Patrick Brandt has regulatory and M&A expertise; the three oversee the team. Christopher Martin is also recommended.

The financial regulatory practice at Dillon Eustace is frequently engaged to advise on the regulatory authorisations of fintech clients across the payments, e-money, crypto asset, insurance and retail credit spheres. In particular, the team stands out for its experience assisting international clients with the establishment of Irish entities, and frequently joins up with the firm’s strong funds practice to advise tech-based clients on their provision of investment services. Keith Waine leads the practice.

Eversheds Sutherland handles a wide-range of fintech mandates, spanning regulatory, corporate, outsourcing, data protection and cyber security matters, with notable strength in advising clients in the payment services and blockchain, and crypto assets spaces. Marie McGinley, an expert in tech and data protection, leads the team alongside corporate specialist Enda Newton, who is highly experienced in advising fintech clients therein, and Trevor Dolan, who joined the firm from LK Shields Solicitors LLP in February 2023 and has expertise in fintech regulation in particular.

Maples Group‘s fast-growing fintech offering brings together the firm’s corporate, private equity, venture capital, financial regulatory, tech and data protection expertise to advise clients ranging from leading global fintechs to emerging companies. Practice head Colm Rafferty and practitioner Jordan O’Brien are well-versed in M&A and funding rounds, while Stephen Carty and Lorna Smith are the key contacts for regulatory advice, and Claire Morrissey assists with outsourcing and data protection matters.

Walkers offers ‘a superb service‘ in the fintech sector, standing out for its expertise in payment and investment services, crypto, AML and data protection. The firm focuses on regulatory matters, and has robust experience advising on the authorisation of e-money institutions and virtual asset service providers, in addition to assisting fintech clients with the launch of new products and operations in Ireland. ‘Excellent lead‘ Niall Esler and the ‘technically strong‘ Shane Martin specialise in financial services regulation in particular.