Bernard McEvoy's practice encompasses company law, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, insolvency/restructurings and general contractual matters. He represents clients, in financings (including public and private debt and equity fundraisings), stock exchange admissions, mergers and acquisitions and both in- and out-of-court restructurings. His cross-border practice has included transactions in Ireland, UK, US, Canada, South Africa, Botswana and Norway. His clients span a wide range of industries such as food, agri-services, manufacturing, restaurants, cinemas, mining, exploration and whiskey manufacturing.
Bernard has been noted as "one of the best lawyers around in terms of identifying and dealing with the most important commercial matters for the client" and "an excellent negotiator" (Chambers Global/Europe, 2009).
Prior to joining Brown Rudnick, Bernard founded McEvoy Partners, a Dublin corporate boutique firm focusing on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and fundraisings in both the UK and Ireland.
Representative Matters
· Acted for Cooley Distillery plc, an award-winning whiskey distillery, in connection with its sale to US drinks company Beam Inc. reported at US$95 million.
· Acted for Origin Enterprises plc, a leading agri-nutrition and food company listed on the ESM and AIM markets of the Irish and London Stock Exchanges, in connection with the merger of Origin's fishmeal and fish oil business with Austevoll Seafood (Norway), reported at €80 million; merger of Origin's food business with Batchelors, reported at €148m; and merger of Origin subsidiary R&H Hall's grain business with Barnett's of Belfast.
· Acting for UCI Cinema and Storm Cinema Groups in the sale of their chain of cinemas to Odeon Cinema Group.
· Acting for specialty bakery group Aryzta AG in connection with Irish acquisitions and contractual/ commercial work. Aryzta AG is an Irish-led, Swiss-based company formed in 2008 by the merger of Hiestand Holding AG and IAWS Group plc with a primary listing on the Six Swiss Stock Exchange and a secondary listing in Dublin.
· Acting for a private Irish group in the first successful application to the High Court in Ireland to bring a UK company under the protection of the Irish Courts through examinership, including the Irish High Court issuing a letter of request to the UK Companies Court to dismiss a winding up petition against a UK subsidiary in the group.
· Acting for an Irish property development group in the negotiations and finalisation of its debt facilities with the Irish National Assets Management Agency.
· Acted for African Diamonds plc in a Scheme of Arrangement and Demerger under the UK Companies Acts before the UK Courts and subsequent acquisition by Lucara Diamonds plc reported at £22 million.
· Acted in the mandatory Rule 9 bid for Oglesby & Butler plc, quoted on the Irish Stock Exchange, effected through a Scheme of Arrangement before the Irish High Court.
Speaking Engagements
· Bernard frequently lectures to accountancy regulatory associations on corporate governance, company law, directors' duties and employment law.
(Also at London, England Office)