Sean is a Partner in the Byrne Wallace Shields LLP Restructuring and Insolvency team. His practice area has a particular focus on superior court litigation, acting on high value asset recovery and enforcement disputes. Sean advises insolvency practitioners, private equity, financial institutions, corporates and their directors in relation to formal insolvency processes including liquidation, examinership and SCARP. 

Experience

• Advised a private equity fund on an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court in relation to the extent that assets can be sold under a Personal Insolvency Arrangement without debtor consent.
• Advised private equity fund in relation to a multi-million euro complex restructuring of debt concerning a high-profile publican’s chain of bars and restaurants.
• Acts for secured creditors in relation to bankruptcy petitions and has advised international clients in relation to jurisdictional issues arising out of differences between bankruptcy regimes here and in the UK.
• Project lead on loan portfolios acquired, acting for secured creditors (banks and private equity) and their appointed receivers in relation to security realisation and all litigation.
• Acting for Myles Kirby (as official liquidator of MPS Global Limited) v Donal Hayes and DBI Bulgaria Ltd in a complex High Court application seeking declaratory relief that transfers of property assets in Bulgaria were fraudulent dispositions and a related urgent freezing order application in Bulgaria, with the liquidation travelling in tandem with an application by the OA for the bankruptcy of the debtor.
• Acted for HSE in liquidation of chain of Café-to-go coffee shop chain.
• Acted for AIB in 3 current sets of proceedings worth approximately €15m - seeking well-charging relief under Section 117 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act, an Order under Section 31 of the Registration of Title Act 1964 to rectify an erroneous release of a charge, and an Order under Section 74 of the Land and Conveyancing Act relating to a fraudulent disposition of assets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts, National University of Ireland, Galway 2005
  
• Bachelor of Law, National University of Ireland, Galway 2007

Memberships

• The Law Society of Ireland.
• Dublin Solicitors Bar Association.
• Restructuring & Insolvency Ireland.
• INSOL Europe.

Recommendations

• Ranked as a Leading Associate for Insolvency and Corporate Restructuring - Legal 500 2026
• Leading Associate - Legal 500, 2025
• ‘Sean Neville - ability to give clear advice and guidance on complex issues. Strong team around him to deliver within very tight timescales. Able to communicate in layman terms when required. Excellent sounding board for a complex matter with every commercial outlook.' - Legal 500, 2025
• ‘The firm and in particular, Sean Neville, are willing to go above and beyond to meet client needs. Sean is strong and forthright in his advices. He devises solutions to problems and whilst he takes into account the commercial interest of a client, it will not affect the advices given.’ - Legal 500, 2025
• Sean Neville has energy and enthusiasm beyond most of his peers. His dedication to the cases in which he is involved is focused and complete.’ - Legal 500, 2025
• Rising Star - Legal 500, 2024
• 'Sean Neville has worked on a number of different receivership cases with our firm. He has a pragmatic and solution-oriented approach to resolving issues and is always very responsive when we have queries or questions. We have had a number of injunction applications successfully overturned at very short notice with Sean's advice and assistance, which results in a much better outcome for our clients.' - Legal 500, 2024
• 'I have been dealing in particular with Sean Neville on various insolvency cases. Compared with other firms, I find Sean and his team extremely prompt in reacting to all queries, efficient in terms of meeting deadlines and very proactive.' - Legal 500, 2024
• Rising Star - Legal 500, 2023
• ‘Sean Neville is a good senior associate to have on your side.’ - Legal 500, 2023
• Rising Star - Legal 500, 2022
• ‘Sean Neville, Senior Associate- Knowledgeable, personable.’ - Legal 500, 2022
• ‘I have also worked closely with John Fitzgerald, Sean Neville and the insolvency team on various transactions. They are proven experts in their area and have also provided high levels of service.’ - Legal 500, 2022
• 'Sean Neville is a key name to note at associate level’. - Legal 500, 2021
• Rising Star - Legal 500, 2020
• Next Generation Lawyer - Legal 500, 2019
• Next Generation Lawyer - Legal 500, 2018