Following the merger of Byrne Wallace LLP and LK Shields Solicitors LLP, Byrne Wallace Shields LLP has an experienced group of banking and finance partners, backed by a large team of associates, with a background in advising the Irish pillar banks and non-regulated lenders (including state-backed lenders) along with alternative lenders, investment funds and family offices. The firm remains best known for real estate finance, social and affordable housing finance and alternative lending, though the expansion of the team is making it additionally credible in multiple banking and finance segments. Practice head Mark Kavanagh remains at the forefront of real estate and development finance, which is also a key area of expertise for Peter O’Reilly. Jenny Ahern and Simon Mahon are other prominent members of the team, along with senior structured finance and fund finance specialist Donal O’Donovan, Daniel Lawlor, who heads the financial services practice, and Karen Outram, who has been promoted to partner.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent team who are commercial, easily contactable and understand the needs of their customer.’
‘Donal O'Donovan's team are great to work with, always very quick to provide fee quotes which are well thought out and competitive. The initial work the guys do in advance of being appointed allows them to get a full understanding of the proposed transaction and what is involved.'
‘Paraic O'Kennedy – commercially astute, affable and knowledgeable lawyer with extensive experience in banking law.’
‘Deirdre McBennett: Hugely accessible, knowledgable, leverages off industry knowledge, fantastic ability to translate banking issues in a way that makes them easy to absorb, great communicator and strategic advisor.’
‘Mark Kavanagh - very engaging and always available at short notice to discuss key issues as they arose. Managed the overall transactions extremely well and delivered against expectations.’
- ‘Excellent access to partners. Very commercial and diligent in their work.’
- ‘Jenny Ahern has really deep legal knowledge and experience. She brings a solution focused mindset to deals.’
- ‘Simon Mahon is a very good lawyer. He is engaged and develops long term relationships with the client interests at the centre of matters.’
Key clients
- Cluid
- Dechert /Arkema
- ISH New Build Fund
- Ocuco Group
- Ardcairn Capital
- Allied Irish Banks,
- Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland)
- Triodos Impact Strategies II
- Starz Real Estate
- Ballymakenny Residential Properties
Work highlights
Advised Ballymakenny Residential Properties on the acquisition of two separate sites in Drogheda Co. Louth from third parties and the financing of these acquisitions with two separate funders, along with the concurrent re-financing of the existing landholding at Ballymakenny.
Advised ISH New Build Fund, a sub-fund of the Davy Platform ICAV in borrowing from the German-based MEAG Institutional fund to fund the acquisition of a very large portfolio of new social housing units.
Advised Pepper Finance Corporate on the sale of the Lunar mortgage loan portfolio to Capitalflow Group.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Mark Kavanagh
Other key lawyers
Donal O’Donovan; Daniel Lawlor; Karen Outram; Jenny Ahern; Simon Mahon; Peter O'Reilly; William Johnston; Deirdre McBennett; Lisa Cawley; Paraic O’Kennedy; Elizabeth Ryan; Triona Ryan