John Given

Mr Given has previously held leadership positions in the legal sector, including as senior partner and head of M&A at another leading Dublin-based firm.

He has also supplemented his advisory experience by working as a senior executive and principal of a number of businesses.

Mr Given was general counsel and executive vice president of Irish-based NYSE-listed global biotech company Elan Corporation and led the company’s advisory team on three hostile takeover defences and its eventual $9 billion sale to Perrigo Company.

He also co-founded and chaired life sciences company Malin Corporation, leading the successful structuring and execution of its 2015 IPO, and chaired Sigmoid Pharma (now Sublimity Therapeutics), leading its strategic evolution, culminating with a successful US private equity-led fundraising in 2018.

Commenting on his appointment, managing partner Philip Lee said: “John’s experience as a highly skilled corporate leader and a user of legal resources makes him a very valuable addition to our corporate team.

“His top-tier legal expertise, having served both international and domestic clients across multiple sectors, adds tremendous weight and depth to our firm as we continue to disrupt the established order in the Irish legal market through a combination of brilliant people and constant innovation.”

Mr Given added: “I have watched Philip Lee rapidly grow from a specialist practice into a full-service law firm serving domestic and international clients in both public and private spheres.

“From my more recent direct experience of working closely with the firm as lead advisors to Sigmoid Pharma I was greatly impressed with its breadth of vision, expertise and ambition.

“I am delighted to join forces with the firm at this exciting time as it consolidates its position in the front ranks of the Irish legal and advisory community.”