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Managing Partner

Michael Lavelle

Michael Lavelle

Michael Lavelle, Managing Partner, founded Lavelle Partners in 1987. He is a recognised leader in a wide range of commercial law matters with renowned expertise in relation to mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, insolvency, commercial litigation, shareholder disputes and partnership disputes.

He has a strategic overview of the legal market in Ireland and is the go-to person for numerous lending institutions and providing high level strategic advice on commercial issues. He is an experienced litigator and was lead adviser in many of the seminal Irish commercial cases and is an expert in his field.

Michael is a leading figure in insolvency, acting in liquidations, receiverships and examinerships for almost all the leading accountancy firms involved in insolvency. He regularly chairs creditors meetings and advises creditors on aspects of insolvency law. He has lectured in insolvency law for the Law Society of Ireland.

He is also a commercial law expert with a long history of working in contentious and non-contentious matters. He has extensive experience in high value commercial transactions and shareholder issues. 

Michael advises on company takeovers and mergers and has been involved in a significant number of company sales and purchases. He also advises on general commercial agreements including agency and distribution agreements, shareholder agreements, option and other associated agreements as well as partnership disputes in professional services firms including law firms, accountants, architects, doctors’ practices and others.

Key Areas of Expertise

What Our Clients Say

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"Michael Lavelle has seen it all. Sees the wood from the trees. Advice is always bang on the money. Dermot McClean is hugely able. Always across the detail, but very practical".

Legal 500, 2025

"A first-class knowledge of the law and an ability to get a result in an urgent manner."

Legal 500, 2025

"Michael Lavelle is a very experienced and shrewd lawyer."

Legal 500, 2025

"Over the years we dealt mostly with Michael Lavelle in Insolvency cases and his common sense approach to the law has been refreshing. He has delivered on any problems that was put before him and is a very good legal advisor."

Legal 500, 2025

“Lavelle Partners are one of the top Irish firms for contentious insolvency and litigation. They have achieved excellent results for me in High Court actions in recent years and I really rate their input.”

The Legal 500, 2024

“Michael Lavelle is a senior player in the Irish legal sector, he has the right connections and put those to use for his clients. He brings a wealth of experience, legal knowledge and market savvy to any transaction or proceedings on which he advises.”

The Legal 500, 2023

“Michael Lavelle has extensive experience and provides practical advice that is relevant and full of common sense.”

The Legal 500, 2023

“Michael Lavelle is an industry leader in this sector. His grasp of the complex issues was second to none and his ability to offer objective advice, even when we did not want to hear it was greatly valued. We felt very confident and secure having Michael go to bat for us and knew our position always got a good hearing. We have great trust in Michael’s opinions and advices and secured a very satisfactory outcome on conclusion of our engagement.”

The Legal 500, 2023

“Knowledgeable. Practical. Ruthless. Game-changer.”

IFLR1000, 2023

"Very experienced. A leading name in the insolvency and restructuring sector in the state."

Legal 500, 2025

“Michael is a senior statesman within the Irish legal market, he has built up solid relationships with his counterparts in the other commercial firms and with key figures across a range of industries. Michael puts his in-depth legal knowledge and commercial experience to use in advocating for his clients. He provides pragmatic and solution-focused advice. In short, Michael is the man you want in your corner.”

IFLR1000, 2023

“Michael Lavelle brings his significant market experience to the forefront and advocates passionately for his clients. He knows the Irish commercial market intimately. Michael is a strong strategist and assists his clients to place themselves in a position of strength from the outset of proceedings.”

The Legal 500, 2023

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