Practice Areas
Personal Estate & Tax Planning
Charities & Not-For-Profit
Experience and Expertise
Cormac studied at Trinity College Dublin, trained in McCann FitzGerald and qualified as a solicitor in 2003. Cormac worked as a senior associate solicitor within the Private Client department of McCann FitzGerald until the establishment of O’Connell Brennan.
Cormac specialises in personal estate and tax planning, wills and succession, trusts (both domestic and international), the administration of estates and contentious probate and trust issues. He advises individuals and families on asset protection, asset structuring and the transfer of assets by gift or inheritance. He has particular expertise in cross-border planning for clients across multiple jurisdictions. Cormac also advises charities and non-profit organisations and donors in relation to philanthropic giving.
Cormac was former Vice Chair of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Ireland and a member of the Law Society Probate Administration and Trusts Committee. He has written and lectured extensively in his areas of expertise, and previously co-ordinated the STEP Diploma on behalf of STEP Ireland and in conjunction with the Law Society of Ireland, which offers an internationally recognised professional qualification. Cormac authored the Irish chapter of the textbook, International Charitable Giving (Oxford University Press 2012).
Cormac also frequently serves as a Presiding Judge and on the Panel of Experts for the STEP Private Client Awards.
He is also an Associate of the Institute of Taxation and a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA).
What Others Say
"Cormac adds significantly to our business and what we can bring to the table for our clients. He's always willing to pick up the phone and chat through cases." "Cormac is really good, he really knows his area and is very on top of it.” Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2023
Cormac Brennan advises on domestic and international private client matters, including tax and succession planning. "He is a very experienced legal adviser who provides expert technical advice and excellent client service," states a source. Another interviewee says: "He is brilliant to deal with, he makes complex issues seem simple and clients love working with him." Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2022
Cormac Brennan handles a wide range of private client matters, including wills and estate planning and administration. "He has excellent attention to detail and his correspondence is comprehensive and considered," says a source. Another interviewee states: "He works to achieve a solution and gets through to the issues sensibly." Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2021
Cormac Brennan is well regarded for his expertise in domestic and cross-border estate and tax planning. A source says: "I have very sound advice from Cormac, practical, but technically very sound and don't think I'd go anywhere." He is described as "easy to deal with, solution-oriented and a good and effective communicator." Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2020
The respected Cormac Brennan focuses his practice on estate planning and administration, tax planning, wills and trusts. He also handles contentious probate and trust issues, asset protection and succession. Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2019
Cormac is highly respected in the market. Clients say he is "very easy to work with and collaborative," and describe him as "very confident and capable." Brennan's practice focuses on estate planning and administration, tax planning, wills and trusts. He also assists clients with contentious probate and trust issues, as well as asset protection and succession. One client reports that "he can really get into the details, makes sure every 'i' is dotted and every 't' crossed. He is very forensic and rigorous, and doesn't leave anything to chance," adding: "He is very reassuring and builds trust with clients, he is responsive and can answer all questions." Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2018
Cormac advises on all sorts of private wealth and charity work, and sources also note his trusts and estates litigation practice. He is a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) as well as a lawyer, and his clients include charities and non-profits, individuals and families. Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2017
Cormac was recently named"Lawyer of the Year" Trusts and Estates for Ireland. Best Lawyers 2018
Cormac Brennan of O'Connell Brennan Solicitors is a widely respected expert on all aspects of private client and personal tax, including wills, succession and trusts. He advises many high net worth individuals, and also works with charities on trusts and tax issues. Chambers 2016
Cormac was recenly included in the Sixth Edition of 'The Best Lawyers in Ireland' in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Best Lawyers 2017
Cormac Brennan of O'Connell Brennan Solicitors is a leading figure for private client tax cases, in addition to charity-related tax work. Recent case highlights have involved will structures, discretionary trusts and property-related tax issues. According to interviewees, he is "a good communicator and very skilled in his area, bringing confidence to the client." Chambers, 2015
Cormac Brennan is co-founder of O'Connell Brennan Solicitors and specialises in private client matters. Clients appreciate his "sound and absolutely accurate advice, with an ability to think outside the box." - Chambers, 2014
Cormac is described as a "Leading Lawyer" on the Citywealth Leaders List.
Cormac is described as a "Leading Lawyer" in the PLC Which Lawyer Cross Border Private Client Handbook.
He is also listed as an expert in The International Who's Who of Private Client Lawyers.