Walkers continues to stand out for its commitment to the CLO and CMBS market, along with its prominence in insurance-linked securities and catastrophe bonds, and securitisations and significant risk transfer (SRT) issues. It is a clear market leader in CLOs, frequently representing new entrants into the European CLO segment. The hugely experienced Andrew Traynor is co-head of the finance and capital markets group, continuing to advise on numerous securitisations and structured finance transactions. Noeleen Ruddy  also co-heads the team and remains at thje forefront of the CLO sector, along with catastrophe bonds and insurance-linked securities. Paddy Rath is another key figure in the CLO segment, while Ian McNamee is noted for DCM and securitisations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘A seasoned and professional team providing sound advice, competitive on price and a pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘Ian McNamee. 100% reliable, responsive and brings a depth of experience.’

  • ‘Top quality team with excellent bench of partners and associates. Always responsive and knowledgeable. ’

  • ‘Andrew Traynor and Noeleen Ruddy are my main contacts. Top professionals, know the market inside out and are a pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘Expertise, wide breadth of knowledge, responsive, quick turnaround times. In-house expertise across different specialties. ’

  • ‘Willingness to help, sound advice and always quick to respond.’

Key clients

  • Hertz Corporation
  • Volkswagen
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Banco Santander
  • Macquarie Bank Europe
  • Bank of America Europe
  • Swissport
  • Tikehau Capital
  • M&G Investment Management
  • Spire Management
  • Apollo/Redding Ridge
  • Allianz Re

Work highlights

Advised on 33 public CLO transactions (comprising mostly new issue deals) over a 12-month period, in addition to a steady flow of warehouses and risk retention financing structures, with each new issue CLO having a deal value of approximately €400m.
Acted as Irish legal and tax advisors and listing agent to the Securitas Group in connection with an update to the €5bn Securitas EMTN Programme featuring Securitas Treasury Ireland DAC as a co-issuer.
Acted as Irish legal and tax counsel and Irish listing agent in relation to the €420m Kimi XIII public securitisation of Finnish auto hire purchase contracts originated by Santander Consumer Finance.

Lawyers

Leading partners: Capital markets: Debt

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next Generation Partners: Capital markets: Debt

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

Andrew Traynor; Noeleen Ruddy

Other key lawyers

Ian McNamee; Paddy Rath