Garrett is Head of our Litigation & Dispute Resolution department. Garrett is an experienced commercial litigator with a breadth of experience representing clients in large, novel, complex and multi-jurisdictional litigation, particularly in the Commercial Division of the Irish High Court as well as before the Court of Justice of the European Union. He also advises clients who appear before specialist Tribunals and Commissions of Inquiry, both in Ireland and abroad.
Garrett has represented clients in financial service regulatory litigation and advises financial services firms and individuals who are subject to the Administrative Sanctions Procedures of the Irish Central Bank. In addition, he advises professional advisors, including auditors and tax advisors on their statutory obligations and decision-making processes.
For many years, Garrett has advised sector-specific regulators both within and outside Ireland. He has also had an extensive Intellectual Property litigation and advisory practice and has run many anti-counterfeiting campaigns for well-known multinational brand holders such as Nike, Levi Strauss & Co. and Microsoft.
Significant cases Garrett has been involved in include representing:
- Thema International Fund Plc. in its action against HSBC Bank seeking the recovery of over USD1 Billion following the Madoff fraud.
- The Department of Finance, before the Commission of Investigation into Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC).
- Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, in proceedings relating to the purchase of loans from the Special Liquidators of IBRC.
- A pillar Irish Bank, in relation to all aspects of its participation in the Joint Oireachtas (Parliamentary) Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis.
- Commission for Communications Regulation ("ComReg"), in defence of a Commercial Court statutory appeal brought by Sky Ireland in respect of ComReg decisions concerning the Wholesale Local Access (WLA) and Wholesale Central Access (WCA) broadband markets.
Clients value Garrett's "tactical, high-level approach" to the resolution of disputes. Chambers Global 2021
Garrett is a pragmatic decision-maker, a canny litigator and calms troubled waters. Legal 500 EMEA 2021
He "has unrivalled experience and excellent judgement. He and his team also work extremely hard and I have never been involved in a case where a deadline has been missed or where better trial preparation could have been achieved." Another clients adds that Garrett "has tons of experience in handling the heaviest litigation and first-class tactical sense. He relates really well to clients, counsel and opposing teams, a real advantage when negotiation is called for." Legal 500 2020
"Garrett has great experience in how best to approach complicated multiparty litigation," affirm clients. Chambers Global 2020
"Garrett Breen is pragmatic decision-maker and canny litigator who can calm troubled waters." Legal 500 2020
Garrett is listed in Best Lawyers 2019 under 'The Best Lawyers in Ireland' for work in Intellectual Property Law and Litigation.
Chambers Global 2017 state that the "excellent" Garrett Breen handles a range of disputes, and is noted by sources for his knowledge of the technology and telecommunications sectors. Clients say he provides a "no-nonsense approach and sound insight." In Legal 500 EMEA 2017 Garrett is described as a ‘very practical adviser’.