Dillon Eustace > Dublin, Ireland > Firm Profile

Dillon Eustace > The Legal 500 Rankings

Ireland > Investment funds Tier 1

Dillon Eustace is an investment funds giant and has an immense history in the market. The team advises a huge market share of asset managers and Irish-domiciled funds. It is widely recognised for its expertise in UCITS and QIAIF funds and has furthered its reputation in ESG matters. Managing partner Donnacha O’Connor, a key member of the asset management and investment funds department, has a long track record in the sector, and has advised on a series of major recent funds, including credit fund structures and loan origination funds. Brian Higgins, Brian Kelliher, Cillian Bredin and Etain de Valera are also senior members of the team, along with Brian Dillon, who is noted for advising Asia-based clients. Shane Coveney impresses amongst the younger generation of partners. Shane Geraghty has left the firm.

Ireland > Banking and finance Tier 2

Dillon Eustace's large team has a strong track record in real estate finance, corporate lending and securitisation, as well as loan portfolio transactions. The group acts for banks and alternative lenders, and has strong links to the asset management space. The practice has noted capabilities in advising on real estate finance matters involving Irish funds and SPVs, and is equally adept at handling financial services regulatory issues. Conor Keaveny, Keith Robinson, John-Hugh Colleran and Mark Thorne are highly regarded practitioners, and emerging partner Conor Kiernan is a name to note.

Ireland > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Dillon Eustace is a leader in financial services litigation, including cases involving investment funds and banks. The firm also has an established presence in shareholder disputes, fraud cases, regulatory matters and investigations, insurance coverage disputes and personal injury. Head of department John Doyle is hugely experienced in commercial disputes, as are Peter Bredin and John O’Riordan, along with David Kavanagh, who is noted for media and defamation cases.

Ireland > Insolvency and corporate restructuring Tier 2

Dillon Eustace has a fine record in domestic and cross-border insolvencies, particularly examinerships, often representing insolvency practitioners from the major accountancy firms that are acting as liquidators. It also has notable expertise in advising domestic and foreign secured creditors on security enforcement and distressed asset recovery. Over recent years, it has achieved a series of major aviation restructuring engagements and aviation sector cases relating to the sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. A dedicated fraud and asset recovery team within the department lends additional weight to the firm’s offering. Personal insolvency is another forte. Jamie Ensor is an experienced partner and Shane Harron is a rising star.

Ireland > Insurance Tier 2

Dillon Eustace fields a large specialist insurance team with strong expertise in product liability, D&O, motor, business interruption and professional indemnity claims, along with aviation and marine cases. The team has worked intensively in representing aircraft lessors seeking insurance cover for lost aircraft after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The firm also has an established insurance regulatory group, which is especially active in business and product launches, and regulatory approvals. Keith Waine is a key figure for insurance regulatory matters, with Peter Bredin, John O’Riordan and Rachel Turner rated for contentious insurance.

Ireland > Media and entertainment Tier 2

Ireland > Capital markets Tier 3

At Dillon Eustace, the team continues to advise on note issuance programmes, often for financial services clients, as well as tax driven structured finance matters. Practice head Mark Thorne and Conor Keaveny are well known for their expertise in handling structured finance and securitisation mandates.

Ireland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

The team at Dillon Eustace continues to handle a high number of mid-market M&A, private equity and venture capital deals. Under the leadership of the 'stand-out performer' Adrian Benson, the practice is well known for its strength in advising on financial services sector matters and work from clients in other regulated sectors. It is also noted for handling healthcare and property transactions, alongside restructurings and reorganisations. Philip Lea is well versed in handling shareholders’ agreements and joint ventures.

Ireland > Fintech Tier 3

The financial regulatory practice at Dillon Eustace is frequently engaged to advise on the regulatory authorisations of fintech clients across the payments, e-money, crypto asset, insurance and retail credit spheres. In particular, the team stands out for its experience assisting international clients with the establishment of Irish entities, and frequently joins up with the firm’s strong funds practice to advise tech-based clients on their provision of investment services. Keith Waine leads the practice.

Ireland > Real estate Tier 3

Demonstrating particular strength in investment deals in the PRS, Dillon Eustace acts for a growing client roster of major investors, commercial and residential developers, and state-sponsored bodies. The ‘knowledgable and dedicated‘ team also benefits from the wider firm’s strength in the financial services space, playing an active role in real estate loan portfolio sales and property finance transactions, where practice head Martin Colman, whose clients include Irish pillar banks and alternative lenders, has significant expertise. Kelly O’Hara and Brendan Cunnane are also among the key contacts.