Ms Maria McElhinney > A&L Goodbody LLP > DUBLIN 1, Ireland > Lawyer Profile

A&L Goodbody LLP‘s ‘extremely knowledgeable‘ transport practice spans the aviation, shipping, road and rail sectors. The firm is renowned for its prowess in aviation finance, where Marie O’Brien, Séamus Ó Cróinín, Maria McElhinney, who returned to the Dublin office in June 2023, and new partner Keith Mulhern advise many of the market’s key players on the acquisition, leasing and financing of aircraft. Vincent Power SC is the main contact for shipping matters, with an emphasis on EU law advice and litigation. Conor Owens and Jamie Rattigan, who also recently joined the partnership ranks, are currently advising on high-profile transport infrastructure projects, particularly in the rail sector.

A&L Goodbody LLP‘s team has an established presence in the aviation finance sector. Under the leadership of Marie O’Brien, the aviation and transport finance group acts as counsel to a client roster of financial institutions, aircraft lessors and private investors, and the practice continues to handle instructions from an increasing number of Chinese clients, especially Chinese lessors. Seamus Ó’Cróinín is chair of the firm, and is a respected practitioner in the sector, handling transactional matters in the arena to advise clients on a series of transactions. Maria McElhinney returned to the firm’s Dublin headquarters from New York in June 2023. Keith Mulhern is singled out for his contributions. Catherine Duffy has now retired from practice.

A&L Goodbody LLP‘s banking and finance team has great strength in depth, and fields extensive expertise in advising on a number of the largest property and development finance projects and loan portfolio sales in Ireland. The firm handles a steady workflow of high-value, complex instructions involving acquisition and leveraged finance, corporate lending, real estate finance, fund finance and sustainability-linked finance, to name a few areas. The client base includes corporates, sponsors, financial institutions, and private credit lenders. Head of general finance Peter Murray is a key practitioner, and Gillian McDonald is highly regarded for her expertise in loan portfolio sales. Other key lawyers include Seamus Ó’Cróinín, Maria McElhinney, Niamh McMahon and senior associate Lisa Tait. London-based partner Robbie O’Driscoll assists Irish entities with a wide spectrum of finance transactions.