Mr Rory McPhillips > Matheson LLP > Dublin, Ireland > Lawyer Profile

Matheson LLP has a long track record in the aviation sector, acting for both aircraft lessors and airlines in transactions. The practice has recently been heavily engaged in assisting these clients with their response to the Covid-19 pandemic through financings and refinancings, and it has also handled major restructurings and schemes of arrangement involving companies in this sector. Elsewhere, the practice advises on procurement and project development in the road and rail sectors. Rory McPhillips, Stuart Kennedy, Yvonne McWeeney and Stephen Gardiner, who was promoted to partner in January 2021, are the key figures in aviation and asset finance matters, while Garret Farrelly heads the firm’s projects and PPP team.

Matheson LLP has a rounded aviation finance practice with extensive experience in asset backed securitisations and repackagings. The core group is complemented by aviation regulatory specialists and specialised aviation tax expertise. During 2020 and 2021, the firm landed a high market share of big-ticket insolvency and restructuring engagements in the Irish aviation sector; it advised Norwegian Air Shuttle, Norwegian Air International, Arctic Aviation Assets  and associated group companies on the appointment of an examiner to the NAS Group. The firm is also at the forefront of aviation financings led by export credit agencies (ECAs). Rory McPhillips and Stuart Kennedy co-head the aviation finance and transportation group. Stephen Gardiner handles a broad portfolio of work and has recently been kept busy advising new entrants to the Irish market on corporate and owner trustee services. Yvonne McWeeney is noted for her experience advising on the Cape Town Convention particularly in relation to aircraft protocol.