Recognised as a Leading Individual for EU and Competition by Legal 500 2020.
Marco has been with the firm since 2000. Prior to joining LK Shields Solicitors, he practiced in the Brussels office of Squire Patton Boggs and the London office of Clifford Chance and then with another leading firm in Dublin.
He is the head of EU, Competition and Regulated Markets Team at LK Shields. He has considerable experience in EU and Irish competition law (antitrust) including merger control and State aid. Marco is also experienced in EU customs and trade law matters. Marco has advised extensively on various EU Block Exemptions Regulations including those applicable to the motor vehicle sector.
Marco is an acknowledged expert on Irish competition law and has acted in some of the most significant complaints and merger reviews conducted under the Irish Competition Act.
Marco has written extensively in the topic of EU, Competition and Regulated Markets and is the author of "Merger Control" which was published by the Thomson Reuters group in May, 2013. This book is the first book exclusively devoted to the competition law implications of mergers and acquisitions in Ireland. Some of his other published articles have recently appeared in the media:
Marco is a corporate partner who has advised on many significant transactions including complex restructurings, tax-driven transactions and mergers and acquisitions. He has acted for many large corporations, both domestic and international, private equity firms, entrepreneurs, investment managers and management teams (MBOs and MBIs).
Marco is the Head of the firm’s Healthcare and Life Sciences team and he advises firms that are active in this sector on the various legal aspects of their business including regulation and compliance issues under Irish and EU law.
Marco is a member of the Financial Services Team advising on various regulatory matters including under the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directives and implementing Irish Regulations.
Marco Hickey is the Irish winner of the Client Choice Award for 2015. Client Choice Awards recognise those partners around the world that stand apart for the excellent client service they provide. The criteria for the awards focus on the ability to add real value to clients’ business above and beyond other players in the market.
Provided competition advice to a multi disciplinary professional services firm in relation to the purchase of an IT company.
Provided competition advice to Universal Motors/Gowan Group on the acquisition of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Ireland DAC.
Advising Scania on its Irish legal proceedings that followed-on from the Commission’s finding of infringement against MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco and DAF, as well as the subsequent, and more recent, finding against Scania AB.
Advised Fane Valley on the EU and UK merger control implication of the disposal by Fane Valley of a 50% interest in Linden Foods Limited and Slaney Foods International to the ABP Food Group (“ABP”), a leading global food processor.
Advised Denis O’Brien on the sale of his portfolio of radio stations and related assets through the disposal of the Communicorp group to the Bauer group, one of the largest radio and publishing businesses in Europe.
Acted for Boylesports in preparing a CCPC notification in relation to the proposed acquisition by Boylesports 2 Unlimited Company of sole control of Tully Bookmakers Management Limited.
Advised a major Irish company in relation to the State aid aspects of a proposed Government measure.
"Our contact is Marco Hickey, who is probably Ireland’s most knowledgeable merger expert and one of the most knowledgeable in any jurisdiction that I ever met. To boot, he has outstanding tactical skills, which benefit our clients from the very first day of a planned transaction." Recommended as a 'Leading Individual' for EU and Competition.
Recommended as a 'Leading Individual'
"Marco Hickey has excellent knowledge of competition law matters; however, he is also very commercial and understood the sensitivities in relation to managing challenging expectations against strategic implications." Recommended for Competition.
Recommended as a 'Leading Individual' for EU and Competition.
"His analytical skills are exceptional, and his pragmatism ensures the highly efficient implementation of his advice."
'Marco Hickey has great commercial awareness combined with a first-rate competition brain.' Ranked as a 'Leading Individual' for EU and Competition.
Listed as a leading individual for Competition/European Law and described as "smart, confident and relentless ... experienced in creating a mutually acceptable accord in contract negotiations."
Practice head Marco Hickey, who has 'great understanding of deal dynamics and is not afraid to fight for his client when he needs to' is listed as a Leading Individual.
Clients report: "He has a very good knowledge of competition law," and additionally appreciate "his understanding of our industry and the way he works with the competition authority." Recommended for Competition/European Law.
Recognised as being among the world’s leading Competition lawyers
Recommended by Best Lawyers in Ireland for Competition Law.
The ‘very responsive’ Marco Hickey is listed as a Leading Individual.
"Knowledgeable and skilled in his area and very efficient and effective to work with" Recommended for Competition/European Law.
Clients praise him for his "intellectual depth and mental agility to quickly understand difficult concepts". He draws particular praise for "his depth and experience of merger notifications.".
Recommended by Best Lawyers in Ireland for Competition Law.
Recommended for Competition/European Law.
Marco Hickey is ‘a recognised expert’, and ‘a go-to competition lawyer in Dublin’. Listed as a Leading Individual.
Recommended for Competition.
Recommended by Best Lawyers in Ireland for Competition Law.
Winner - Competition & Antitrust (Ireland).
Recommended for Competition/European Law.
Marco Hickey ‘has emerged as a leading merger expert in Dublin’.
Marco Hickey is ‘first class. In ten minutes he will have 90% of the answer, and he’ll be right’; ‘on EU law, there is no-one better in Ireland’.
Marco Hickey of LK Shields Solicitors is valued by clients for the way he 'understands how a transaction is put together and financed. His transactional background is a big advantage'.
Marco Hickey at LK Shields Solicitors has “one of the acutest competition minds in Dublin”.
Highly recommended for corporate and M&A and EU and competition.
Recognised as leading individual for Competition.
Marco Hickey of LK Shields Solicitors is a great commercial operator. Recommended for competition/European law.
Marco Hickey is clear in his thinking and always delivers.
Highly recommended for corporate and M&A and EU and competition in Legal Experts Europe.
Recommended for competition/anti-trust.
The Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 will introduce numerous changes to the regulation and enforcement of competition law in Ireland. The...
LK Shields acted for the Vendors of Walco Foods, a leading Irish trader of animal fats and proteins, on an...
The Competition (Amendment) 2022 Act introduces a number of significant changes to the mergers regime in Ireland and it is likely...
LK Shields Solicitors LLP has once again been highly ranked in the latest edition of The Legal 500 2022 guide to outstanding...
The firm has been highly ranked in the latest edition of Chambers Europe. Leading independent legal ranking publication Chambers...
The Irish mergers market is buoyant and vital, according to the report from the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ...
LK Shields Solicitors LLP was delighted to assist the owners on the sale of Automatic Plastics Limited to...
LK Shields Solicitors LLP was delighted to act for the Gowan Group in the acquisition of FCA Ireland. ...
+ 353 1 637 1522
mhickey@lkshields.ie
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