The Legal 500

Under the leadership of the ‘clever and commercial’ Catherine Duffy, A&L Goodbody ‘has the knowledge and the systems in place to process deals efficiently’. Séamus Ó’Cróinín is also singled out for ‘inspiring trust’. Highlights include advising the Acision consortium on the £265m financing of a private equity acquisition of Logica CMG Group. On the securitisation side, Ciaran Rogers led the team acting for Depfa Bank on the synthetic securitisation of a £660m portfolio of public infrastructure project loans and bonds. Clients also place high value on the ‘sheer depth’ of the banking team, emphasising its strength across aircraft finance, asset finance and structured finance.

Arthur Cox ’s banking team is ‘excellent, if not prominent, on syndications and cross-border deals’, say clients who are also quick to praise the team’s ‘great backup’ and ability to ‘partner on transactions rather than just advise’. The firm acts for all the major Irish banks, along with international heavyweights such as Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and Citibank, and recently acted for an Irish credit institution on a €1.25bn financing transaction. The securitisation side is particularly strong and the firm advised Merrill Lynch on a €889m CRE CDO issue by an Irish SPV. William Johnston, Orla O’Connor and Grainne Hennessy are universally regarded as leaders in the field.

Matheson Ormsby Prentice bolstered its team in 2007 through the hire of Ken Rush from Clifford Chance . William Prentice leads a team that is ‘commercial in approach’ but that also ‘looks to find solutions that work for the business without exposing it to undue legal risk’. Highlights include advising Barclays Capital on the provision of a refinancing facility worth over €80m to La Touche House. The firm’s strength in structured finance is considered ‘second to none’, and it advised Credit Suisse as arranger and Avoca CLO IX as issuer on the first European CLO to be priced following the credit crisis. Patrick Molloy and Niall Horgan are also active.

The banking team at McCann FitzGerald wins praise from clients for its ‘pure quality’, ‘sterling experience’ and ‘knowledgeable partners’. The firm handles the full gamut of finance-related work but the aviation sector is a particularly strong area for the firm. Joe Fay and Ben Gaffikin recently acted for AerCap on the establishment and financing of a joint venture with Deucalion Aviation Funds for the purchase and leaseback of 19 aircraft. Other matters include advising the issuer and the originator on a $1bn securitisation to acquire a fleet of aircraft. Hugh Beattie, John Cronin and Eamon de Valera are highly recommended.

William Fry offers ‘pragmatic advice’ and a ‘detailed knowledge of the market’, say clients who also highlight the expertise of Orla Brennan and Paul Murray. Headed by Elaine Hanly the team recently advised Allied Irish Banks on the substantial funding of Montevetro II. On the structured side, the firm acted for Porsche Holding Finance on its €1bn private placement of hybrid bonds. The firm is also praised for its ‘very good cross-discipline advice on complex deals’ and ‘excellent response times’.

Universally considered a ‘top choice for investment funds’, Dillon Eustace also offers an ‘efficient’ structured finance practice. Recent highlights include advising Japan’s largest buy-out fund as Irish legal and tax counsel on the financing of a $2.4bn acquisition of a Japanese regional bank. Shinsei Bank, Gazprombank and Fortis are also recent clients. Mark Thorne and Conor Houlihan are recommended.

The banking team at LK Shields Solicitors is ‘up to speed with market developments’ and makes ‘good use of its relationships with regulatory and government contacts’. Led by ‘impressive’ team head Joseph Gavin, it recently advised Nationwide UK on its plans to establish an operation in Ireland. Other noteworthy clients include Ryanair, Friends First and Banquo Credit Management.

Maples and Calder received a massive boost to its ambitions in Ireland this year through the hire of Nollaig Murphy from A&L Goodbody . Clients praise the firm as being ‘reactive and professional’ and for providing a ‘seamless legal, administrative and tax service’. Highlights include advising Oyster Capital and GC Aesthetics on the acquisition financing of several European and US-based companies.

Mason Hayes+Curran recently advised FL Partners on the acquisition financing of two groups of companies. The ‘excellent’ Kevin Hoy leads a strong financial services team that scores points with clients for its ‘partner-led service that always delivers’. Project finance, property finance and asset finance are also strong areas for the firm.

Eileen Prendergast’s team at BCM Hanby Wallace leverages off its quality property practice to specialise in property finance. Highlight mandates over the past year include advising Anglo Irish Bank on the €150m funding of Siteserv’s acquisition of Sierra Communications and Roankabin Holdings and also advising Bank of Scotland (Ireland) on a €180m loan to fund the development of Heuston South Quarter.

Beauchamps Solicitors continues to advise Allied Irish Banks on the €500m development of a mixed use shopping centre and residential development in Athlone. ACC Bank, Ulster Bank and EBS Building Society are also recent clients. Daniel Cashman leads the team.

Eugene F. Collins is currently advising Anglo Irish Bank on the financing of the Northern Quarter development project. David Hackett is recommended and heads a team that also acts for Bank of Scotland (Ireland) and Treasury Holdings.

Eversheds O’Donnell Sweeney acted for an UK investment LLP on the acquisition and leaseback of several Irish retail superstores, worth approximately €160m. Steve Rodgers is the stand-out name.

Ivor Fitzpatrick & Company recently advised a major bank on a €60m loan facility to fund the development of a retail park. Vicky Pigot is the lead partner.

Ronan Daly Jermyn has added two new names to its client list over the past year: ACC Bank and KBC Bank. The firm’s main areas of focus are property-based lending and tax-based investment structures.

Property finance is a strong area for WhitneyMoore , but the firm also handles project finance and asset finance for a client list that includes corporate borrowers and financial institutions.

Brian O’Donnell & Partners acted for trophy client Vico Capital on facilities to finance several high profile real estate acquisitions in the UK, Sweden and the US.

Doherty Ryan & Associates scored a major recent mandate, advising on the closing of a $103m financing for a Korean bank syndicate.

Landwell Solicitors boasts experience in the areas of secured and unsecured lending; sale and leaseback transactions; and asset finance.

McEvoy Partners have a small corporate finance team that counts AIB and Ulster Bank (Ireland) as clients.

Property finance is a key source of work for PJ O’Driscoll & Sons and banks single out Justin Fennell for his ‘insightful business acumen’.