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.’
‘Members of the firm are highly competent, experts in their field and active with industry groups and advocates for the industry in respect of regulatory issues and developments. In transactional matters they can be counted upon to recommend commercial solutions that are consistent with our risk appetite. Excellent and responsive service delivery.’
‘Andrew Traynor is an excellent practitioner and a leader in the Irish market and wider international industry who is very down to earth, modest and approachable. He is always willing to be a sounding board for market issues outside the context of an instruction and very generous with his time and views (almost always providing more than a general steer). Just an excellent lawyer and a top gentleman with whom it is always a pleasure to interact.’
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
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