Leo Hopkins

Mergers Division

Duties:

• Assessed the competitive effects of proposed transactions, analysing actual and potential horizontal overlaps, vertical relationships, and broader market dynamics.
• Applied Irish and EU merger control principles, including NCA and European Commission guidance, to evaluate potential competition concerns.
• Conducted market and legal research, reviewing evidence and stakeholder submissions to support merger assessments and recommendations.
• Assessed transactions and market developments to identify potentially reviewable mergers under Ireland's merger control regime, including the authority's new call-in powers for below-threshold transactions

Duties:

• Provided through translating, interpreting, and aiding French legal professional in analysing and drafting legal documents for their English speaking clients.
• Personalised instruction and personal mentoring based on individual strengths and abilities.
• Simplified complex topics using practical examples and analogies in teaching approach.

Technology and Innovation Department

Duties:

• Reviewed corporate tech & innovation regulations.
• Researched EU & US data protection laws.
• Drafted legal opinions, documents for clients.
• Filed client documents with Companies Registration Office.
• Conducted group presentations with other interns.

Competition and Regulation Department

Duties:

• Researched Irish and EU competition law issues and prepared legal memoranda for solicitors and clients.
• Drafted a research memorandum analysing the 2023 EU Horizontal Block Exemption Regulations and accompanying European Commission guidelines.
• Assisted with the preparation of a Phase I merger notification.
• Conducted legal research on merger control, antitrust, and regulatory developments, monitoring relevant Irish and EU case law and guidance.