What We Do

The lawyers in our Projects, Energy and Construction Group have extensive experience in advising clients on the development, financing, construction and operation of projects across a range of sectors including energy and natural resources, infrastructure (roads, bridges, airports, ports and rail), waste, water, sewage, defence, education, health, leisure and accommodation.

Our Projects, Energy and Construction lawyers work with a range of clients including government, sponsors, banks, building and civil engineering contractors and design professionals.

The Group comprises a core team of 25 dedicated projects, energy and construction lawyers (including five partners) and the extent of our expertise is unrivalled in the Irish market. We are also able to call upon the expertise of leading lawyers in other practice areas of the firm as required.

The principal practice areas of the Projects, Energy and Construction Group are:

• Construction and Engineering
• Energy and Natural Resources   

             - request our capability statement 

• Energy and Natural Resources Disputes
• Environmental Infrastructure 
• Project Finance and Public Private Partnerships 

             - request our capability statement 

• Transport 
• Waste and Water

"A progressive firm whose lawyers are commercially minded, diligent and precise in their advice."
Projects: Chambers Europe 2011

"The lawyers give you a high level of comfort thanks to their knowledge of the sector and ability to handle complex issues."
Energy and Natural Resources: Chambers Europe 2011

The team at Matheson Ormsby Prentice is “professional and personal with an excellent eye for detail”, and “offers a superior service”.
Projects, Energy and Natural Resources: European Legal 500 2011

At Matheson Ormsby Prentice, team head Michael O'Connor is singled out as "responsive, hard-working and commercially minded", and Peter OBrien "always makes himself available".
Projects, Energy and Natural Resources: European Legal 500 2010

Matheson Ormsby Prentice has perhaps the most significant UK PFI/PPP experience of any Irish firm, and sources confirm that the group is“great at linking with the top UK outfits”.
Projects: Chambers Europe 2010

"This firm's energy team boasts top-level expertise on all legal matters pertaining to the energy business, from market reform and regulatory questions to project development, financing and M&A. Clients say "We can ask MOP to do more than we might ordinarily ask of other lawyers - project management, for example, which it does exceptionally well". This progressive group is also active in growing areas of the energy business, including renewables and climate change. Practice head Michael O'Connor "can compete with the very best lawyers internationally". He is described as a "cerebral, clear and concise lawyer". Partner Peter O'Brien is increasingly seen as a go-to partner for energy clients, particularly major international companies.
Energy and Natural Resources: Chambers Europe 2010

MOP's hard work and recent success have kept it firmly amongst the leading Irish construction practices. Sources appreciate the group's “strong team approach, clear and logical thinking and responsiveness, even when you catch them on the hop”. Damien Keogh is the group's lead contentious expert and is “fast becoming a force in the market,” say peers. Clients recommend him for his “tremendous ability to assess a problem and accurately divine, almost immediately, the client's legal position."
Construction: Chambers Europe 2010

"They go the extra mile for their clients".
Projects, Energy and Natural Resources: European Legal 500 2009

As well as offering great expertise and resources, this team is praised for the quality of its client care and devotes itself to explaining complex legal issues and documents.
Construction: Chambers Europe 2009

With the depth of resources required for the largest energy-related transactions, this firm has an excellent track record in the sector. Clients appreciate the firm's dedicated service, particularly praising the way it keeps them updated with industry information.
Energy and Natural Resources: Chambers Europe 2009

A dedicated team of construction professionals works out of Matheson Ormsby Prentice's projects unit, doing “a damn good job” advising on contentious and non-contentious matters for an impressive clientele that includes some of the biggest contractors in Ireland. Construction: Chambers Europe 2008

Michael O'Connor has “experience and knowledge of the local market and local precedents and is proactive in identifying additional opportunities,” remark clients. He stands out for his energy expertise but also garners praise for his considerable project and project finance experience, both in Ireland and internationally.
Projects: Chambers Europe 2008

Working closely with the banking and construction teams, this respected projects practice advises on the full gamut of projects, project finance and PPP work, and has experience of working in the transport, infrastructure, education and energy sectors. Clients praised the lawyers' “quality advice” and work ethic: “They worked as if they were on the battleground”.
Projects: Chambers Europe 2008

Operating as a distinct unit in the firms project's and construction group, this energy and natural resources practice handles the full gamut of energy-related matters, including M&A, project finance, competition and regulatory advice. The team is “very sensitive and responsive to our needs and is able to turn around advice within very tight timeframes,” commended clients.
Energy and Natural Resources: Chambers 2008

Head of construction litigation Damien Keogh is a “committed lawyer with a good knowledge of the construction industry and an eye for detail.” He handles a mix of non-contentious and contentious matters, including construction arbitration and mediation. “He speaks in a language that clients can understand, translating complex legal contracts into laymans terms,” remark interviewees, who also praised his accessibility and responsiveness: “He is available out of hours and is always easy to communicate with”.
Construction: Chambers Europe 2008

Matheson Ormsby Prentice advised the regulator on the groundbreaking Single Electricity Market project, significantly placing the firm at the forefront of Irish and Northern Irish energy market reform. Group head Michael O'Connor is a recognised leading expert in Ireland on energy-related transactions. Clients say,"Michael O'Connor's expertise and knowledge of the energy industry is invaluable".
Energy and Natural Resources: European Legal 500 2008

Enjoying “a very strong reputation” in the field, Michael O'Connor is “one of the leading energy lawyers in Ireland” who wins plaudits for his “open, frank and professional manner”. Clients appreciate this “industrious, practical lawyer with good interpersonal skills,” and highlight his experience and good connections in the field as real drawcards. “He is easy to deal with, investigates issues diligently and responds quickly when needed,” said one interviewee.
Energy and Natural Resources: Chambers 2008