Counting institutional investors and developers, both foreign and domestic, among its impressive roster of clients, Mason Hayes & Curran LLP’s real estate department continues to act on several complex high-value real estate transactions, including acquisitions, disposals and leasing matters. The energy, retail, PRS and social housing spheres are particular areas of focus. The team is co-headed by Vanessa Byrne, a key point of call for landlords and tenants, and Michael Doran, who is adept at advising on asset management issues. Other key team members include Áine Quigley, Marcus Kennedy, Jamie Fitzmaurice and Rachel Carney.
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Profile

Profile

Work Department

Real Estate

Position

Partner, Co-head of Real Estate

Career

Vanessa is Co-head of the Real Estate team at Mason Hayes & Curran LLP, with a practice in all aspects of commercial property, conveyancing and landlord and tenant law. Vanessa heads a team of property lawyers that specialise in the property law and development aspects of energy and infrastructure projects and buying and selling trading assets such as nursing home and healthcare assets, hotels and student accommodation.

Vanessa has an extensive landlord and tenant practice and negotiates complex agreements for lease, commercial leases, licenses and concession agreements. She is admitted as a solicitor in Northern Ireland, as well as Ireland.

Vanessa also acts for financial institutions on commercial real estate backed lending. Vanessa is lead partner on the Mason Hayes & Curran LLP trainee recruitment panel and is known for her composure and commerciality.

Memberships

Law Society of Ireland; Dublin Solicitors Bar Association; Urban Land Institute; Irish Wind Energy Association.

Education

Queen's University Belfast (LLB) (IAAS). Admitted as a solicitor in 1997.

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Mason Hayes & Curran has a leading real estate practice. It has an extremely high calibre of partners who have subject matter expertise together with specialist focus areas within the department. The partners and senior associates who work with us are thorough, reliable and think of the best solution for our particular needs in each case.’
  • ‘Marcus Kennedy (partner) is our go-to person in real estate. He treats every matter, big or small, with the same excellent attention to detail, reliability and helpful manner. He is a real team player and always there when required to give commercial, solution-driven, swift and accurate responses. Jamie Fitzmaurice is extremely highly regarded and works at the highest levels.’
  • ‘My dealings are with the lawyers who deal with conveyancing, and I have found that they understand their client's needs.'
  • ‘I work with Áine Quigley. Áine has always exceeded with the service she provides to the client. Áine is efficient and responsive and has excellent knowledge of her trade and the industry. Áine is a fantastic problem solver and seeks resolutions at all times.’
  • ‘Commercial focus, the team understands what can be delivered while protecting our position. All of the individuals within the RE practice are professional and knowledgeable.'
  • ‘Vanessa Byrne is exceptional. She is holistically aware of her client's business and provides invaluable advice. Rachel Carney is hugely accessible and delivers a high quality legal service.’
  • ‘Our experience with the MHC team is outstanding. Their main strength is their detailed knowledge of the sector, which enables them to provide a proactive approach which ensures our interests are constantly protected. There has been a consistent theme throughout our relationship with the MHC team of genuine, concerted professionals who can feel the personal effort to be our legal partners and guardians within this area.’
  • ‘Very proactive and strong problem solvers.’

Key clients

  • Irish Life
  • DomusVI Group
  • Irish Residential Properties REIT plc
  • Aviva Real Estate Investors
  • Hammerson
  • AXA Investment Real Estate
  • BNP Paribas
  • SSE
  • Hines
  • Quintain

Work highlights

Represented SSE PLC in developing 8 of Bord Na Móna’s bogs across the country for wind-based renewable projects.
Assisted Tuath Housing Association CLG with its €108m forward fund of 290 Units at Citywest, Dublin.
Advised Fingal County Council on the circa €150m development of 300 dwellings (comprising a mix of apartments, houses, retail units, community centre and a creche) at Church Fields, Mulhuddart, County Dublin.