Nicola Dunleavy

Nicola Dunleavy is a partner in Matheson’s Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department, with a broad commercial litigation, investigations and arbitration practice. In 2021 she was appointed by the Irish Government as a Senior Counsel. Nicola is represents clients in complex, multi-jurisdictional commercial disputes, including arising from mergers and acquisitions and EU law, and in constitutional litigation. Sectors include technology and telecommunications, pharmaceutical, chemicals, food and drink, waste, water, energy, mining, and transport. Nicola represents clients in investigations by the EU Commission, ComReg, and other regulators and in defending criminal prosecutions.  Nicola has very significant experience in major development, energy and real estate disputes, including planning environmental and safety judicial review and disputes.

Nicola served as a member of the Court of the London Court of International Arbitration until 2024 and is a former President of Arbitration Ireland. Nicola is an advocate in alternative dispute resolution, such as expert determination, adjudication and mediation. Nicola is a Chartered Tax Advisor and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

• In technology and digital economy disputes, representing platforms and software developers in a range of Irish Court proceedings and in arbitration.
• In climate change litigation - including ESG and permitting litigation - leading the representation of developers of renewable and conventional energy, data centres, housing and transport projects, including referrals to the CJEU.
• Representing truck manufacturers in Competition Court follow-on damages claims stemming from the European Commission's settlement decision, a high profile competition infringement matter in Europe.
• Representing taxpayers in disputes with the Revenue Commissioners and with the State, in the Tax Appeals Commission and in Irish and European Courts.
• Representing buyers and sellers in post-acquisition warranty and indemnity disputes in ICC and LCIA arbitration and in actions for enforcement of arbitral awards.
• Acting for Royalty Pharma in take-over litigation related to its $6.5 billion bid for Elan.
• Defending regulatory investigations and criminal prosecutions for alleged data, regulatory (pricing, tax), safety and environmental offences.
• Advising Macquarie Asset Management in relation to its agreement to acquire the Beacon Hospital in Dublin, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

• Trinity College Dublin (LLB)
• Qualified as a solicitor in Ireland
• Chartered Tax Advisor, Irish Taxation Institute
• European University Institute, Florence, Italy (Masters in European, International and Comparative Law LLM)