The Legal 500

A&L Goodbody’s team, headed up by Ciaran Rogers, is widely praised for its leading debt business, and is noted for its ‘availability’ and ability to give a ‘quick-fire response’. Peter Walker in particular is singled out for his ‘excellent customer service’ and ‘industry knowledge’. Walker advised Iberdrola Finance Ireland on its $2bn note issuance listed on the Irish Stock Exchange.

Arthur Cox boasts a full-service debt and equity offering that clients describe as ‘the clear leader in this area’. Glenn Butt is applauded for ‘applying commercial pragmatism to problem solving’. The firm acted for Renaissance Capital on the update of its $1.5bn LPN programme, and also advised on the largest cash-box offering in Irish history with Johnson & Johnson’s investment into Elan. Cormac Kissane is highly recommended.

In a difficult market, Matheson Ormsby Prentice has maintained its leading reputation on both the debt and equity sides, winning universal praise. Fergus Bolster and Robert Heron led a team advising Payzone on its financial restructuring, which saw the first debt-for-equity swap between an Irish listed company and its senior lenders. The firm also advised The Bank of New York Mellon on the multibillion-euro bond issuances by the Irish State.

At McCann FitzGerald, equity head Barry Devereux is cited again and again as being the ‘go-to man’ in Dublin. The year saw a rise in the use of secondary capital raisings, particularly in the oil and gas sector, and Devereux advised Petroceltic on its $120.5m share placing. On the debt side, Fergus Gillen provides ‘excellent advice and service’, and led a team advising the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) on its €365m US private placement.

William Fry’s managing partner Myra Garrett remains close to the deal coal face on the equity side, leading a team which clients pick out as being a ‘top-class offering’. Owen O’Connell is praised for his ‘commercial nous’, while Orla Brennan stands out for her ‘good response times and experience’. The team completed a string of debt deals for Skillsoft, Smurfit Kappa and Ardagh Glass.

ByrneWallace’s mid-cap equity practice advised Merrion Pharmaceuticals on its share placing with Enterprise Ireland, with a team lead by Enda Newton. Other clients include First Derivatives and Avoca Capital.

Maples and Calder is rated ‘very highly’ by its clients, and has a true ‘leading light’ in Nollaig Murphy. The growing outfit is also picked out as being ‘more commercial than its peers’. The team has been appointed to a string of bank panels thanks to its strength in the Irish debt market, among them Bank of America and HSBC.

Dillon Eustace’s team saw an up-tick in the secondary trades side of the business. The firm advised CIBC World Markets and Canadian Imperial Bank on the Port Credit Harbour $5bn secured obligation programme.

Eugene F. Collins comes in for high praise for its ‘responsiveness’ and ability to ‘put itself in our shoes’. Highly respected team head Eileen Grace ‘represents her clients’ interests to the maximum’. Clients include Anglo Irish Bank.

Paul Egan’s team at Mason Hayes+Curran saw its stock rising in the market thanks to a highly visible role as an ad hoc adviser to the Irish Takeover Panel. The firm has recently completed bond issues and listings for New World Resources and SSL Investment II.