Profile

Andrew is the regional Managing Partner for Kennedys EMEA.

He qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2000 and later qualified to practice as a solicitor in Ireland. He practises in both jurisdictions. Before joining Kennedys in January 2018,  Andrew was a partner at Mayor Brown International LLP.

Andrew has over 20 years’ experience of advising on insurance litigation, and specialises in advising on insurance coverage matters and disputes involving financial institutions, directors and officers, and professionals. Andrew’s experience of advising on matters involving financial institutions includes complex first party and third party losses involving  banks, private equity houses, stockbrokers, investment managers and advisers located in Ireland, the UK, and worldwide.

Andrew’s practice also involves advising on claims made under environmental liability policies, transactional liability and title indemnity insurance policies, and he also specialises on advising on property losses and claim, including business interruption claims.

Andrew contributed to Kennedys' 'Global forecast 2024: Evolving insurance risks' report, published in January 2024.

Andrew also contributed to the fourth edition of Kennedys’ Global Legal Handbook, one of our most popular guides, which outlines the main legal and procedural issues that case handlers may encounter when dealing with claims across 53 jurisdictions globally.

Andrew McGahey is regularly at the forefront of financial lines and environmental insurance claims.

Market recognition

  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance (Ireland)' | The Legal 500 EMEA 2023"Andrew McGahey is regularly at the forefront of financial lines and environmental insurance claims."
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Dispute resolution (Ireland)' | The Legal 500 EMEA 2023
  • Notable practitioner for 'Insurance: Dispute Resolution (Ireland)'
    "Andrew McGahey advises insurers on coverage disputes. He also assists clients with reinsurance and damage claims."
    Chambers Europe 2023
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance (Ireland)'
    The Legal 500 EMEA 2022
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Dispute resolution (Ireland)'
    "Andrew McGahey is an established specialist in financial lines and environmental insurance claims."
    The Legal 500 EMEA 2022
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance (Ireland)'
    The Legal 500 EMEA 2021
  • Recommended Lawyerr for 'Dispute resolution (Ireland)'
    The Legal 500 EMEA 2021
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance (Ireland)'
    "Andrew McGahey is a star."
    "Andrew McGahey consistently provides uncomplicated and clear advice. Issues are met head on and dealt with in early course, minimising losses by resolving matters at an early stage."
    The Legal 500 EMEA 2020
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Dispute resolution (Ireland)'
    "Andrew McGahey is a standout member of the team."
    The Legal 500 EMEA 2020
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Insurance'
    "The ‘first-rate’ Andrew McGahey, who ‘always gives measured and astute advice’ in addition to being ‘an excellent negotiator’."
    The Legal 500 UK 2019
  • Recommended Lawyer for 'Dispute Resolution'
    "'Excellent negotiator" Andrew McGahey joined Kennedys to head the dispute resolution team and act as Dublin office managing partner."
    The Legal 500 EMEA 2019

Work highlights

  • Advising D&O Insures in respect of shareholder derivative, securities and ERISA claims brought against a leading oil producer, arising from an environmental disaster.
  • Representing the insurers of one of Europe’s largest financial institutions on policy issues relating to the collapse of Euro 200million closed investment fund in Germany.
  • Advising insurers on policy avoidance and coverage issues regarding an SFO investigation against the managers of a £36 million “green” fund which failed.
  • Advising D&O insurers on coverage issues arising from numerous US securities claims brought against a leading pharmaceutical company.
  • Defending the former Chief Executive Officer of a leading film production company in director disqualification proceedings brought by the UK’s Secretary of State for Business Information & Skills.
  • Defending a fund administrator in multi-party declaratory relief proceedings in the English Commercial Court arising from the issue of Euro 30 loan notes to a Luxembourg fund.
  • Defending the directors of a leisure management company in an unfair prejudice proceedings brought by minority shareholders in a joint venture company.