Open navigation
Search
Offices – United Kingdom
Explore all Offices
Global Reach

Apart from offering expert legal consultancy for local jurisdictions, CMS partners up with you to effectively navigate the complexities of global business and legal environments.

Explore our reach
Insights – United Kingdom
Explore all insights
Search
Expertise
Insights

CMS lawyers can provide future-facing advice for your business across a variety of specialisms and industries, worldwide.

Explore topics
Offices
Global Reach

Apart from offering expert legal consultancy for local jurisdictions, CMS partners up with you to effectively navigate the complexities of global business and legal environments.

Explore our reach
Insights
About CMS
UK Pay Gap Report 2024

Learn more

Select your region

Languages
  • English

Bernard advises on all aspects of complex commercial litigation with a particular emphasis on asset recovery, civil fraud and regulatory issues. Bernard frequently acts for both claimants and defendants in high value multi-jurisdictional disputes. Bernard is a member of the advisory board and co-chair of the Informa Asset Recovery conference in Dublin. 

Chambers UK 2020 describes Bernard as a "supreme strategist" who is "unflappable, pragmatic and commercial." Chambers UK 2019 noted of Bernard that: "He is a brilliant lawyer who not only knows the law but knows how to achieve positive results efficiently. He understands the various cultural issues that are at play in international fraud cases, and manages various competing interests simultaneously with savvy." 

Bernard has in depth experience of securing and defending asset tracing orders including freezing, search, disclosure and Norwich Pharmacal orders. Bernard has also acted as lead litigation adviser for clients in a wide range of jurisdictions (both common law and civil law) including securing appropriate orders and investigations in these jurisdictions. 

Prior to CMS he was a partner in Dechert before setting up the niche practice Byrne and Partners.

Awards & Recognitions
01
  • Quote
    "He went above and beyond to ensure we had the strongest case possible and there was no stone left unturned."
    Chambers UK, 2025
  • Quote
    "He is deeply experienced and an excellent practitioner."
    Chambers UK, 2025
  • Quote
    "He is real force in the fraud market; Bernard is a creative and innovative fraud lawyer."
    Chambers UK, 2025
  • Quote
    "Bernard O'Sullivan stands out for his intellectual dynamism and brilliance. Endlessly trustworthy, client focused, and fair and reasonable. He is always anxious to give credit, even when quite often he should be taking it for himself. He is thoughtful and reasonable on billings, and endlessly fun to deal with."
    Legal 500, 2025
  • Quote
    "Bernard is a creative and innovative fraud lawyer who gets quick and excellent results for his clients.’ ‘He is bright, enthusiastic and client-driven.’ ‘An imaginative lawyer who can find solutions to unusual and difficult problems."
    Chambers, 2021

Education

  • Birmingham University, Birmingham

Insights by Bernard

Back to top Back to top