McCann FitzGerald LLP has a strong track record in advising on bond issuances, EMTN programmes, structured products, and securitisation transactions. The team is led by Fergus Gillen, who acts for a broad client base that includes Irish and international financial institutions, corporates, and state-owned entities; and Stephen FitzSimons, who has a specialist focus on the intersection of Irish and US securities law, as well as shareholder activism issues. Gill Lohan is a key name for equity capital markets work, particularly in relation to IPOs, rights issuances, placings, and open offers. Sarah Pickering is frequently involved in securitisations and structured finance transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- McCann's team is outstanding in terms of knowledge and service. Their responsiveness is exceptional. They are unrivaled.
- Key contacts, Jack Kelly and Stephen Fitzsimons, are excellent corporate lawyers and our go-to external lawyers. They are very knowledgeable and meticulous, always available and responsive, very efficient and pragmatic in the delivery of advice, coming up with creative approaches/solutions when thinking outside the box is required. They are also very personable and easy to work with. Jack's promotion to partnership during the year was well-deserved and a recognition of his immense ability. A superb ambassador for the firm.
- McCanns has been our go-to external law firm for a few years and has set a consistently high benchmark in their delivery of quality, pragmatic legal advice.
- Consistent, superb performance from Gill Lohan, Stephen FitzSimons, and Jack Kelly. They have unique market insights from their PLC practice in Ireland and England and present pragmatic solutions. There is always one of the three available for urgent consultations. It's seamless and exemplary.
- Fergus Gillen's ability to provide clear and timely advice is always guaranteed. He is practical and solutions-driven and can be relied upon to advise under tight deadlines with the same level of measured advice. One of the best! Alan Kelly is also super responsive and one to watch!
- ‘Excellent depth of knowledge and experience, both Irish and international (where relevant), very responsive, timely and practical advice, great ongoing partner involvement.'
- ‘Great technical knowledge translated into practical and understandable advice, very responsive and collaborative, very much team players. A pleasure to deal with.’
- ‘Quick responses, they are one of the fastest to respond to emails.’
- ‘Communication skills are great, responsiveness, approachable and understanding. Energy and drive to push on and become better.’
- ‘The capital markets and corporate team has exceptional expertise and is very well resourced.’
Key clients
- AIB Group plc
- Greencoat Renewables plc
- Datalex plc
- Irish Residential Properties REIT plc (IRES)
- C&C Group plc
- Kingspan Group plc
- WestRock Company
- Kenmare Resources
- AIB Mortgage Bank
- Gas Networks Ireland (GNI)
- Kingspan Group plc
- Andorra Banc Agricol Reig, SA (Andbank)
- Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Ireland p.l.c.
- Morgan Stanley
- Deutsche Bank
- Avenue Europe Management LLP
- BNP Paribas
Work highlights
Advising Kerry Co-operative Creameries in connection with its acquisition of Kerry Dairy Ireland.
Advised AIB on its buyback of ordinary shares from the Irish Minister for Finance which reduced the State’s shareholding to zero and returned the Bank to private ownership.
Advised Datalex plc on its €25m equity financing by firm placing and open offer.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners: Capital markets: Equity
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates: Capital markets: Debt
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Fergus Gillen; Stephen FitzSimons
Other key lawyers
Gill Lohan; Sarah Pickering; Jack Kelly