Matheson LLP advises across a wide range of debt capital markets and financing matters, including public and private bond issuances, and bank capital structures, as well as the structuring of bonds, warrants, and EMTN programmes. The team is jointly led by Maireadh Dale and Turlough Galvin, with Galvin bringing particular expertise in structured finance work, securitisations, and derivatives. Christian Donagh is highly experienced in the debt capital markets space, frequently advising on ETC programmes established across Europe. Micheál Buckley also plays a key role, offering guidance on structured finance and debt capital markets transactions with a connection to Irish law.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Matheson has large pool of partners and associates with deep industry knowledge, with many having worked in banks and asset managers. This allows them to speak confidently on transaction matters with clients.’
- ‘Very practical, think ahead and often act on potential issues without being asked. Excellent market intel.’
- ‘William Foot has excellent market intel, looks around corners very well and identifies and solves issues ahead of time, without the client having to raise it. Very responsive and pragmatic to help the client.’
- ‘Super responsive, knowledgeable and practical team covering all aspects of Irish law.’
- ‘Very flexible and able to turn their hand to the full spectrum of assets/structures utilised. Pragmatic and usable tax and regulatory advice.’
- ‘What makes this practice unique is the combination of deep legal expertise with a strong understanding of the business context. The team consistently delivers advice that is not only technically sound but also commercially relevant — they don’t just highlight legal risks; they offer practical solutions.'
- ‘The individuals we work with stand out for their technical excellence, commercial mindset, and ability to communicate clearly and confidently, even in high-pressure situations. What differentiates them from others in the market is their deep engagement, reliability, and consistency — we know we can trust their judgement across a range of complex issues.'
Key clients
- Dell Bank International DAC
- BNY Mellon Corporate Trustee Services Limited
- Amazon Conservation DAC
- CEME Group S.p.A.
- Changeling Finance 2024-1 DAC
- Finance Ireland Credit Solutions DAC
- Mars Capital Finance Ireland DAC
- Ally Financial
- Anchorage
- Ares Management
- Arini Capital
- Assured Investment Management
- Audax Group
- Olympic Commercial & Tourist Enterprises Single Member S.A.
- Banco de Sabadell
- Banco Santander
- Barclays
- Barings
- BlackRock
- Blackstone
Work highlights
Advised an Irish special purpose vehicle, Amazon Conservation DAC, on the issuance of conservation bonds, which were used to purchase $1.53bn of Ecuador's sovereign debt, which was exchanged for a loan from Amazon Conservation DAC to Ecuador.
Advised Ferovinum on an ABS program.
Advised HSBC and BNPP in relation to the Property Finance 3 DAC commercial mortgage backed securitisation.
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: Debt
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
Turlough Galvin; Maireadh Dale
Other key lawyers
Christian Donagh; Micheál Buckley; William Foot