Cormac O'Daly
Partner
Based primarily in London, Cormac O'Daly advises on a wide range of EU and UK competition law issues. These include merger control, cartels and related litigation, licensing and other vertical and horizontal agreements, other potentially restrictive practices and alleged abuses of market power. He regularly advises on areas at the convergence of competition and intellectual property laws. Mr. O'Daly's clients have ranged from software companies, hardware manufacturers, oil and gas producers, companies appealing fines imposed by the European Commission (including Wabco in its fine reduction of over € 200 million and Guardian in its reduction of over € 44 million), companies seeking merger approval, and trade associations. Mr. O'Daly also advises on and files notifications under the UK's National Security and Investment Act and is a member of the firm's Brexit Group, advising on the consequences of the UK having left the European Union.
Mr. O'Daly previously worked as a stagiaire and référendaire to Advocate General Fennelly at the European Court of Justice.
Experience
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Representing merging companies requiring EU, UK and other clearances, notably Baker Hughes when it was acquired by General Electric, in its conditional acquisition of Altus Intervention, Cisco in its acquisition of Tandberg, Oracle in its acquisition of PeopleSoft, and in a European energy sector merger
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Representing companies in cartel investigations and appeals, including Wabco in its appeal of the European Commission's bathroom fittings and fixtures decision to the General Court, which reduced the imposed fine by over €200 million (at the time, the third-largest fine reduction ever in a cartel case) and Guardian in its appeal to the European Court of Justice, which reduced the fine that the Commission imposed in its flat glass decision by over € 44 million
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Acting for a defendant in the air cargo cartel damages action before the UK High Court and for a defendant in actions before multiple UK Courts against maritime car carriers, including securing the UK's first ever settlement in an ongoing opt-out class action before the Competition Appeal Tribunal
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Counseling and representing parties in litigation regarding issues at the intersection of competition and intellectual property law including regarding alleged standards essential patents and patent pools
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Advising on abuse of dominance investigations
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Advising on and filing notifications under the UK's National Security and Investment Act
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Advising on implications of Brexit
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Overseeing antitrust compliance in trade associations
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Litigation before the EU's Court of Justice and General Court including in competition and environmental law and on freedom of access to documents
Recognition
- Winner of Global Competition Review's “Litigation of the Year–Cartel Defence” category 2018 (for work on UK Air Cargo cartel damages case)
- Listed in the Europe, Middle East & Africa Legal 500
Insights & News
Credentials
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Education
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LLM, College of Europe, Bruges, 1999
Grade of "Excellent" -
LLB (Ling. Franc.), Trinity College, Dublin, 1998
First Class Honours
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Admissions
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England and Wales, Solicitor
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Ireland, Solicitor
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Brussels (associate member)
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Languages
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French
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English
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Credentials
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Education
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LLM, College of Europe, Bruges, 1999
Grade of "Excellent" -
LLB (Ling. Franc.), Trinity College, Dublin, 1998
First Class Honours
-
-
Admissions
-
England and Wales, Solicitor
-
Ireland, Solicitor
-
Brussels (associate member)
-
-
Languages
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French
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English
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