Matheson LLP is highly regarded for its advice on complex cross-border financing, leasing, commercial debt, and export credit agency-supported transactions. Practice co-head Rory McPhillips is noted for handling all Irish law aspects of multi-jurisdictional financing structures involving globally deployed aircraft and other assets. Fellow co-head Stuart Kennedy has significant experience in structuring aircraft sales, and representing lessors and airlines on leveraged, syndicated and export credit agency-backed facilities. Yvonne McWeeney is also a key contact, with broad experience in sales, financings and leasing structures, and acting for a wide range of lessors and financial institutions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- They know the market and provide user-friendly advice.
- The team has a commercial approach with a can-do mentality. Their knowledge of the client's business is immense. They deliver on time every time. Other firms labour points, but Matheson cuts through to the nub and gets the matter done.
- Knowledge, responsiveness. Matheson has one of the best Asset Finance practices in Ireland, and I work with them a lot.
- Stuart Kennedy is my go-to person at Matheson; he and his team are always responsive.
- The team is excellent to work with. They focus on building long-term relationships with their clients.
- Responsiveness and availability to discuss matters on calls at short notice.
- The market-leading knowledge of the industry within the Matheson LLP Asset Finance team is a real standout for me. Each partner has experience dealing with unique and complex transactions and takes a hands-on approach to their transactions while remaining competitive from a fees perspective. The quality of service received is second to none from associate up to partner level. It is a pleasure to work with them.
- I believe each Partner (Stuart Kennedy, Rory McPhillips, and Yvonne McWeeney) and Senior Associate (Andrew Dixon and David Hick) in the Matheson LLP Asset Finance team are exceptional lawyers who understand the needs of their clients and are always at hand to provide clear, concise, and valuable legal advice within tight timelines. The Partners' hands-on approach to transactions is unique in the industry and provides great comfort while transactions are in progress.
- The Matheson team works very well together; the communication between them is remarkable as everyone can pick up the work without any problem. The associates are well-trained and can answer any question or ensure that you will receive the right answers. At all times, you get the feeling that they like what they do and that they enjoy dealing with you as a client.
- The Matheson team's cohesive approach really sets them apart, and their partners and associates work seamlessly to provide a genuinely integrated service across disciplines and are equipped to handle vast complexities. I especially value their responsiveness, consistency of quality, and ability to anticipate issues before they arise.
Key clients
- Azorra Aviation
- Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA
- CDB Aviation
- UK Export Finance (UKEF)
- CCB Aviation
- Aviation Capital Group
- AerCap
- Castlelake, L.P.
- Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE)
- Arctic Aviation Assets DAC
- Jackson Square Aviation
- Tokyo Century
- FTAI Aviation
- Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES)
- Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (BoComm Leasing)
- CMB Financial Leasing (CMB Aviation)
- Aergo Capital Limited
- VivaAerobus
Work highlights
Advised Azorra Aviation in connection with the Term Loan B financing involving (a) a $988m revolving credit facility, (b) a $550m unsecured note issuance, and (c) $464m term loan B facility.
Advised FTAI in connection with the establishment of Irish aircraft financing structures under FTAI’s new Strategic Capital initiative in collaboration with third-party institutional investors including its $2.5bn of asset-level debt financing led by global investment firm ATLAS SP Partners.
Advised Aquila in connection with the Wafra Inc‘s acquisition of Aquila Air Capital and the related debt financing.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Rory McPhillips; Stuart Kennedy
Other key lawyers
Yvonne McWeeney; Gerry Thornton; Andrew Dixon