JP McDowell

JP McDowell is Managing Partner of Fieldfisher Ireland LLP and Partner in the Public and Regulatory/Planning and Environmental Law Department based in Dublin. He has specialised in public and regulatory law for over 20 years, advising major public sector clients accountable to ministers and government departments on their statutory functions. McDowell is ranked as a 'Band 1' Lawyer in Chambers Europe for Dispute Resolution: Professional Discipline in Ireland, with a superb reputation for professional discipline work and frequent representation of regulatory authorities.

McDowell was educated at University College Dublin and was admitted as a solicitor in Ireland in 1993. He is a fourth-generation lawyer. McDowell Purcell was founded by his father, Denis McDowell, and JP began work in the firm in 1998 with Breen Purcell, growing it significantly.

McDowell led the merger of McDowell Purcell with Fieldfisher in May 2019, after recognizing the growing globalisation of the Dublin legal market. The 2025 merger with ReganWall doubled Fieldfisher's corporate headcount in Ireland to 140 professionals. McDowell has overseen the management of hundreds of fitness-to-practise and disciplinary investigations, has extensive litigation experience, and regularly represents statutory bodies in defending judicial reviews and appeals in Superior Courts.

Career History

• McDowell Purcell Solicitors (admitted solicitor Ireland, 1993)
• Managing Partner, McDowell Purcell (1998–2019)
• Managing Partner, Fieldfisher LLP (Ireland) (2019–present)

What JP McDowell could bring to Fieldfisher Ireland: McDowell's deep expertise in regulatory affairs, demonstrated ability to successfully navigate complex firm mergers, and extensive relationships with Irish professional regulators position him to continue driving Fieldfisher's expansion across Europe while deepening the firm's specialization in regulatory and disciplinary matters.