Maples Group‘s aviation finance work is closely associated with its expertise in asset-backed securitisations and CLOs, along with the establishment of aviation platforms and private equity investments. With its fiduciary services arm, the firm is particularly noted for structured transactions involving a Cayman TopCo and Irish SPV; the Dublin team frequently works alongside colleagues in the Cayman Islands. With further expansion in the CLO sector, the Dublin office has also gained additional traction in the rail rolling stock sector. Led by Mary O’Neill, the team also features Alex Walsh and Eoin O’Leary. Stephen Gardiner was a new arrival in early 2025.
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Profile

Profile

Work Department

Finance

Position

Mary is a partner of Maples and Calder's Asset Finance team in the Maples Group's Dublin office.  Mary advises private equity investors, operating lessors, financial institutions and airlines on a wide range of asset finance structures.  These include asset backed securitisations, aviation platform establishment, warehouse financings, portfolio asset sales & purchases, operating & finance lease structures as well as export credit agency facilities.  Mary has an extensive aviation industry background having worked in this sector for many years and brings a wealth of sectoral knowledge to her role.

Career

Mary joined the Maples Group in 2014.  Prior to that, Mary spent nine years with Citibank in their international trade division (including a secondment to South Africa), most recently working on aviation export credit agency structures. Mary started her career at Biddle & Co. in London and also worked at a large Irish law firm prior to joining Citibank.

Mary is ranked by Chambers Global, with market commentators describing her as "responsive and knowledgeable". Mary is also recognised as Highly Regarded by ILFR 1000 and as a Next Generation Partner by Legal 500.

Memberships

Member of the Law Society of Ireland Member of 100 Women in Finance

Education

Trinity College Dublin, LLB, 1993
University of Cambridge, LLM, 1994
University of Cambridge, M. Phil, 1995
London School of Economics, M.Sc, 2004

Content supplied by Maples Group

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The Maples Group are a pleasure to work with. They are particularly personable, which I value very much. At the same time, they are extremely cost and time efficient.’

  • ‘Mary O'Neill is a stand out service provider. She is extremely efficient, helpful and decent in all of her dealings.’

  • ‘The practice is very commercial, solving problems rather than just issue raising.’

  • ‘We regard Maples as a market leader in Ireland for aircraft leasing work. We work with them on a large number of matters every year. They are always responsive and the advice spot on.’

  • ‘Mary O'Neill is one of the top practitioners in aircraft finance in Ireland. Eoin O'Leary is also highly recommended. I have been working with both of them for many years.’

  • ‘The team goes over and above to deliver transactions on time. They combine quick turnaround times with practical and commercial legal advice.’

  • ‘Mary O'Neill is excellent. Always available and provides commercial and practical advice. Eoin O'Leary is a very thorough practitioner. He ensures our transactions get completed in a timely and efficient manner.’

  • ‘Spends time to understand our business, so advice and implementation is tailored to our needs.’

Key clients

  • Acia Aero Leasing
  • ACS Aero Leasing
  • AE Industrial Partners
  • AirAsia
  • Altavair
  • Avolon
  • Bain Capital
  • BNP Paribas
  • China Aircraft Leasing Company
  • Cross Ocean
  • DAE
  • Deucalion
  • Deutsche Bank
  • Falko/Chorus
  • Griffin
  • ICBC
  • Investec Bank
  • JPMorgan
  • KKR
  • Marathon
  • MUFG
  • Muzinich
  • Natixis
  • Qatar National Bank
  • Sky Leasing
  • SMBC Aviation Capital
  • SocGen
  • ST Aerospace
  • Stonepeak
  • Total Engine Asset Management
  • UKEF
  • US Ex-Im Bank
  • Vistara
  • volofin

Work highlights

Advised Avolon on its $1bn bond unsecured bond issuance.
Advised Falko Regional Aircraft on its agreement to acquire a portfolio of 24 Embraer E-Jets from Nordic Aviation Capital.
Advised volofin and Magnetic Leasing on their first term loan, which will be used to finance mid-life narrowbody aircraft, engines and landing gears.