A SENIOR counsel with a wide-ranging commercial practice, Bill Shipsey (50) has acted for many big companies and senior business figures in their dealings with the courts, writes Arthur Beesley.
In recent weeks, for example, he has acted for businessman Dermot Desmond, AIB and Dublin City Council.
Described as "very measured" and "very good" by a senior legal practitioner, he is a respected figure in the courts.
"He'd be very sound," said one source of his appointment as inspector to DCC.
The High Court has put a stay on the appointment until tomorrow pending any appeal.
Though best known for his commercial work, Mr Shipsey has also defended asylum-seeker cases.
In the commercial world, his other clients have included RTÉ, Ryanair, Davy stockbrokers and Ardagh plc. He has also acted for Shell, Jefferson Smurfit, Irish bookmakers, developer and stock market investor Liam Carroll, and developer John Byrne.
Practising at the Bar since 1980, he became a senior barrister in 1994.
In the business area Mr Shipsey's areas of specialisation include bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganisations, and company and competition law. His other areas of expertise include European law, immigration and asylum law. He also works in the areas of labour and employment law.
Outside the legal arena, Mr Shipsey is chairman of the Art for Amnesty committee. This group supports the work of Amnesty International for human rights by organising collaborations between international artists, their patrons, management and friends.
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