James Grennan is a Partner in the Corporate and M&A practice and Head of A&L Goodbody’s Insurance Group. From 1995 to 1999 James managed A&L Goodbody’s London office.
His area of particular expertise is the insurance industry. His practice embraces all aspects of insurance law and regulation including the set up and authorisation of insurers, ongoing regulation, the provision of cross-border services, sale and purchase of insurance companies and insurance businesses, captive insurance, authorisation and regulation of insurance intermediaries, contracts, regulatory investigations and enforcement actions and statutory compensation schemes. He advises life and non-life insurers, health insurers, reinsurers, captives and intermediaries.
He played a major role in the A&L Goodbody legal team that advised the Irish Government’s Department of Finance on the establishment of the Irish Financial Regulator. He was also instrumental in having Irish law amended to facilitate the operations of life assurers in the International Financial Services Centre and in drafting other legislation to address insurance industry concerns. He has advised on many of the most significant insurance transactions and developments in recent decades.
"James has the perfect mix of a deep knowledge of the law and a commercial and pragmatic approach to legal problems – always seeing the issue from the client’s perspective and finding a solution if there is one to be found." (Legal 500, Hall of Fame member 2020)
"One of the best all-round lawyers. He is exceptionally bright and gives sage, well-considered advice that is practical, commercial and expert on the law." (Chambers Europe 2020)
"Extremely knowledgeable, hugely experienced, very pragmatic and commercial, and very responsive as well." (Chambers Europe 2019)
"A market-leading expert with unparalleled knowledge...a heavy hitter in the insurance landscape." (Chambers Europe 2018)
"Absolutely superb...probably the leading lawyer in Dublin for corporate insurance, transactions and regulatory work. He is practical, pragmatic and has a good knowledge of the law." (Chambers Europe 2017)
James is a member of the insurance regulatory sub committee of An Taoiseach’s (i.e. The Irish Prime Minister’s) International Financial Services Centre group. He is a member of the Business Advisory Panel of Insurance Ireland, a representative body for the insurance industry in Ireland, a former Irish national representative of the Union International des Advocates (International Association of Lawyers) and former President of the Mergers and Acquisitions Commission of that organisation. James is also an accredited Mediator.
Partner, Insurance & Reinsurance
Dublin