James Somerville is a partner in A&L Goodbody's Tax department. He advises on all aspects of taxation law but with particular emphasis on financial services and property related tax, including structured finance transactions, capital market issues, investment funds and cross border financings, mergers and acquisitions, inward investment, group re-organisations and property acquisition and holding structures.
Areas of Expertise
Tax/Financial Solutions/Capital Markets – Debt/Investing in Ireland/Tax Disputes & Enquiries
Experience Advising:
- AIB in respect of tax aspects of regulatory capital AT1 issuances.
- Goldman Sachs International on a number of Irish mortgage sale transactions including the €1.9bn Project Tara loan acquisition and sale.
- Irish Property Unit Trust and IPUT plc in relation to the taxation aspects of its conversion from a unit trust to a regulated corporate investment fund and its expansion of its investor universe as well as in relation to a number of significant property acquisitions and other ongoing tax issues.
- A number of private equity, hedge and pension funds on the structuring and establishment of loan origination and asset acquisition platforms and ongoing operations.
- Acting for institutional and sovereign investors in structuring and establishing structures to acquire and hold Irish real estate assets.
- RMBS for Irish originators or international arrangers (e.g. Permanent TSB, Finance Ireland).
- CLOs with Irish Issuers (for Oaktree, Spire Partners, Credit Suisse and ICG).
- Endo International plc on its acquisition of Auxilium Pharmaceuticals in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $2.6bn.
- Ethoca in relation to its acquisition by Mastercard.
Market Recommendations
"James Somerville has huge experience in financial services structured finance transactions, capital market issues and investment funds." (Legal 500 2025)
"James Somerville is a superb tax lawyer. He's measured, thoughtful and comes to clear conclusions." (Chambers Europe 2025)
‘James Somerville – a leader in finance and capital markets taxation.’ (Legal 500 2024)
Professional activities
James currently chairs Main TALC, the main forum for liaison between tax practitioners in private practice and the Irish tax authority, the Revenue Commissioners. James is the former chairperson of both the Foreign Lawyers Forum of the Taxation Section of the American Bar Association and of the Taxation Committee of the Irish Law Society. He contributes regularly to legal and tax publications as well as speaking frequently at conferences and seminars on matters of Irish and international taxation. James is also an Associate of the Irish Taxation Institute.
Education
- Solicitor, Law Society of England and Wales
- Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland
- LLB, Trinity College Dublin
James Somerville
Partner,
Tax
Dublin