news 3 November 2025

Brendan Murphy appointed Corporate Group Leader at McCann FitzGerald

A senior corporate partner, Brendan joined the firm nearly two decades ago as a trainee and has built a distinguished career advising on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and disposals, alternative capital investment transactions, joint-ventures and re-organisations.

He has played a central role in many of the firm’s most significant corporate transactions and is a trusted adviser to boards and executive teams across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on infrastructure, real estate, construction, engineering, financial services and healthcare.

His appointment comes at a time of continued growth and opportunity for the firm’s Corporate Group, which advises on some of the most complex and high-profile mandates in the Irish market.

Brendan succeeds Stephen FitzSimons, who has led the group since 2020 and will continue as a partner at the firm.

Stephen Holst, Managing Partner at McCann FitzGerald LLP, said: “I am delighted to see Brendan take up this position. Over nearly two decades at McCann FitzGerald, he has developed a deep understanding of our clients, our people and our values. He combines this with strong transactional experience, great energy and a clear strategic vision. This appointment also reflects our strength in depth and maintaining the strategic continuity that our clients and teams value. Having started together in McCann FitzGerald many years ago, I personally look forward to working together to continue to develop our corporate team to meet the challenges of our clients. I would also like to thank Stephen FitzSimons for his leadership over the last five years. He has applied himself to the role with enormous diligence, integrity and insight, developing a high performing team with a collegiality reflective of the best of the firm’s values, that is well placed for the future.”

Brendan Murphy, Partner and Corporate Group Leader, added: “I am proud to lead an incredibly driven team that I know so well and which combines technical excellence with a practical, client-first mindset. I look forward to building on the strong foundations Stephen FitzSimons has established and working with our clients as they adapt to a more demanding and dynamic operating environment.”

The appointment follows a series of senior leadership developments at McCann FitzGerald LLP, including the recent appointments of Liam Heylin as Partner in the Competition and Regulated Markets Group,  Peter McLay as a Partner in the Energy Group, Maedhbh Clancy as Partner and Head of Knowledge and Mairéad Cullen as Chief Technology Officer.