Email Laurence | Download vCard | LinkedIn

Laurence is Chairman and founder of the firm. Laurence's practice is primarily in the corporate and commercial area including mergers and acquisitions. He also advises on partnership law and on employment law, in particular senior executives. Laurence has lectured extensively throughout his career, particularly on company law and partnership.

• Corporate and Commercial Law
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Corporate Finance
• Venture Capital
• Employment Law
• Building Societies
• Partnership Law
  

• President of the Law Society of Ireland, 1997-1998
• President of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association, 1983-1984
• Member of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, 2002 to 2008
• Member of the University College Dublin Faculty of Law Development Council,
  1998 to date
• Former Member of the Court Services Transitional Board, 1998
• Law Society of Ireland Representative on The Boardroom Centre 1994-2001
• Former Member of the Judging Panel for the Leinster Society of Chartered Accountants Published Accounts Awards, 1987-1990
• Former Member of the Disciplinary Scheme Appeal Board of the
  Society of Actuaries in Ireland, 1993-1999
• Former Director and Alternate Director of the Irish Takeover Panel Limited,
  2000-2006
• Chairman of the Committee of Inquiry of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland into Powerscreen International plc, 1999-2006
• Government Appointed Inspector into Allied Suppliers (Irl) Limited and
  other companies, 1978
• Council Member of the Law Society of Ireland, 1997-2004
• Council Member of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association, 1973 to date
• Council Member of the International Bar Association, 1998-2002
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Fellow, Irish Branch),
  1992 to date
• Associate Member of the Irish Taxation Institute, 1978 to date
• CEDR Accredited Mediator, 2003
• Member of the Irish Commercial Mediation Association
• Member of the Chartered Accountants Regulatory Board, 2007 to January 2009
• Chairman of the Solicitors Mutual Defence Fund Limited
• Appointed to the Board of Bord Gáis Éireann in June 2009

• "Laurence Shields is an eminent and highly regarded practitioner whose
  wide-ranging expertise covers complex trusts, partnerships and M&A." Recommended in the category of "Senior Statesmen" for corporate/M&A.
  Chambers Europe 2011.
  
  
• "Laurence Shields brings vast experience in M&A as well as employment and partnership law to the firm's practice." Recommended in the category of "Senior Statesmen" for corporate/M&A. Chambers Global 2011.
  
  
• Highly recommended for corporate and M&A and employment in
  Legal Experts Europe, Middle East & Africa 2011.
  
  
• Recommended in the category of "Senior Statesmen" for corporate/M&A.
  Chambers Global 2010.
  
  
• Recommended for corporate/M&A. Chambers Europe 2010.
  
  
• Highly recommended for corporate and M&A and employment in
  European Legal Experts 2010.
  
  
• A "real asset on a big transaction - everyone values his opinion" states
  Chambers Global 2009, where he is recommended in the category of "Senior Statesmen" for corporate/M&A.
  
  
• Highly recommended for private equity/venture capital by PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook in 2009.
  
  
• Highly recommended for corporate and M&A and employment in
  European Legal Experts 2009.
  
  
• The "entrepreneurial" Laurence is "the man you want on your side".
  The Legal 500, 2008 edition.
  
  
• Highly recommended for corporate and M&A and employment in European Legal Experts 2008.
  
  
• Highly recommended for private equity/venture capital by PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook in 2008.
  
  
• A "widely respected figure on the Dublin legal scene" according to
  Chambers Global 2008 and Chambers Europe 2008, where he is recommended
  in the category of "Senior Statesmen" for corporate/M&A.
  
  
• Laurence is "exceptional" according to Chambers Global 2007 who also
  recommend him for corporate/M&A.
  
  
• Recommended for private equity/venture capital and corporate/M&A by
  PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook in 2007.
  
  
• Laurence has been "showered with praise by clients" and is "highly regarded", according to The Legal 500, 2007 edition.
  
  
• A "tough figure in the Irish corporate arena" with "a great following" states Chambers Global 2006 who recommend Laurence for corporate/M&A.
  
  
• Highly recommended in company and corporate and recommended in M&A and private equity/venture capital by PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook in 2005 and 2006.
  
  
• "Very respected in the market" states The Legal 500, 2005 edition.
  
  
• "One would get comfort from his involvement in anything because he's so established, professional and thorough - a pillar of the Irish law community",
  as quoted in Chambers Global 2004-2005, who also recommend Laurence for corporate/M&A.
  

• Notary Public
• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
• CEDR Accredited Mediator
• Admitted as a Solicitor in Northern Ireland and in England and Wales, 1998
• Admitted as a Solicitor in Ireland, 1972
• Registered Trade Mark Agent
• Graduated from University College Dublin in 1970