Dillon Eustace > Dublin, Ireland > Firm Profile
Dillon Eustace Offices
33 SIR JOHN ROGERSON'S QUAY
DUBLIN 2
Ireland
Dillon Eustace > The Legal 500 Rankings
Ireland > Investment funds Tier 1
Dillon Eustace is an investment funds giant and has an immense history in the market. The team advises a huge market share of asset managers and Irish-domiciled funds. It is widely recognised for its expertise in UCITS and QIAIF funds and has furthered its reputation in ESG matters. Managing partner Donnacha O’Connor, a key member of the asset management and investment funds department, has a long track record in the sector, and has advised on a series of major recent funds, including credit fund structures and loan origination funds. Brian Higgins, Brian Kelliher, Cillian Bredin and Etain de Valera are also senior members of the team, along with Brian Dillon, who is noted for advising Asia-based clients. Shane Coveney impresses amongst the younger generation of partners. Shane Geraghty has left the firm.Practice head(s):
Donnacha O’Connor
Other key lawyers:
Brian Dillon; Brian Higgins; Brian Kelliher; Etain de Valera; Cillian Bredin; Derbhil O’Riordan; Shane Coveney; Grace O’Connor
Key clients
Architas
AXA Rosenberg
Azimut
Comvest Advisors LLC
Grayscale Advisors
Kirkoswald Asset Management
ASK Capital Management Pte Limited
Fineco Asset Management
Blantyre Capital Limited
Abakkus Asset Management
ENAM Asset Management Company Private Limited
Harrington Cooper Asset Management
Pactum AG
UniCredit
Golub Capital Partners
Roundhill Investors
Infinity Asset Management
Ronit Partners LLP
Saranac Partners Limited
Green Investment Partners Limited
Alanna Homes
National Bank of Kuwait
Angelo, Gordon, LP
Aon
AXA Investment Managers
ANIMA
BNY Mellon Asset Management
Algebris (UK) Limited
Legal & General Investment Management
Mediolanum
Payden & Rygel
PIMCO
Swiss Capital Alternative Investments / Stepstone
Societe Generale
Lone Star
C-Quadrat
Polar Capital
GAM
Golden Tree Asset Management
Fiera Capital
Fidelity
Waystone Management Company (IE) Limited
Tenax Capital Limited
Gamma Capital Management Ltd (UK and Iceland)
BlackRock Capital Investment Advisors (US)
Credit Suisse
Danske Bank AG
Kayne Anderson
Pinnacle Capital Partners
Roundhill Capital
Roundshield Capital Partners
Twelve Capital AG
Trium Capital
VanEck
BNP Paribas
Portfolio Advisors
Berkshire Partners
Ambienta SGR
Avendus
Motilal Oswal Capital
DSP Investment Managers
Capital Four Asset Management
Southeastern Asset Management Inc
TOBAM
KBC Asset Management
Work highlights
Ireland > Banking and finance Tier 2
Dillon Eustace's large team has a strong track record in real estate finance, corporate lending and securitisation, as well as loan portfolio transactions. The group acts for banks and alternative lenders, and has strong links to the asset management space. The practice has noted capabilities in advising on real estate finance matters involving Irish funds and SPVs, and is equally adept at handling financial services regulatory issues. Conor Keaveny, Keith Robinson, John-Hugh Colleran and Mark Thorne are highly regarded practitioners, and emerging partner Conor Kiernan is a name to note.Practice head(s):
Mark Thorne
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team are pleasant, professional and commercial. Their fee quotes are realistic, their work is to a high standard, and they effectively manage our expectations. They have a strong knowledge of the Irish market and the realities of doing business in it.’
‘Conor Keaveny is a fantastic all round lawyer – he’s pleasant to deal with, clear and commercial in his advice, and works to an extremely high standard. He’s easy to pick up the phone to, if you have a query, and will never make you feel as though you are wasting his time, no matter how basic or strange the query is. John-Hugh Colleran is also a great all round lawyer, well liked by our lenders for his pleasant attitude, careful advice and timely document turns. Expectations in terms of fees and turn around times are well managed by both lawyers. Dealing with them is just easy.’
Key clients
Goldman Sachs
Fairfield Real Estate Finance
Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.
NAMA
Yew Grove REIT
Bank of Ireland
Deustche Bank AG
Investec Bank
Carval
Centric Health
Clovis Oncology
Ireland > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Dillon Eustace is a leader in financial services litigation, including cases involving investment funds and banks. The firm also has an established presence in shareholder disputes, fraud cases, regulatory matters and investigations, insurance coverage disputes and personal injury. Head of department John Doyle is hugely experienced in commercial disputes, as are Peter Bredin and John O’Riordan, along with David Kavanagh, who is noted for media and defamation cases.Practice head(s):
Paul Breen
Other key lawyers:
John Doyle; John O’Riordan; Peter Bredin; Rachel Turner; David Kavanagh
Testimonials
‘We have found the service provided to be excellent and Peter Bredin was very much hands-on, which is what we required given the sensitivity of the situation.’
‘Peter Bredin was excellent in his support and this helped our volunteer directors to feel that they could rely on his judgement and expertise in the matters involved.’
‘Peter Bredin was the partner who managed a dispute resolution for us. He not only did the disciplined legal work, but was also attentive and listened to our desires and approaches. He advised us well with barristers and was realistic in his guidance. People don’t know how to go through these things and it’s really valuable for a client.’
Key clients
David Kelly
Graiguearidda Limited
Amaranthine Parnters I, LLC
Principal Logistics Technologies
Waystone
KPMG
Balbec Capital
Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland) DAC
Global Underwriting
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang
DID Electrical
AIB
Zurich
Starr Insurance
Gradual Investments Limited
Deloitte
RSA
Travelers
AXA
National Asset Management Agency
Sunday Business Post
Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland
Havbell DAC
Irish Daily Mail / Irish Mail on Sunday
American Airlines
Securispeed
Fighting Blindness
Grant Thornton
Work highlights
- Acted for a shareholder and former director of Web Summit, David Kelly, in a series of high-profile disputes before the Irish Commercial court against both Web Summit and another shareholder in Web Summit.
- Acted for Principal Logistics Technologies in Commercial Court proceedings seeking damages for breaches of warranties.
- Acted for an aircraft leasing company in obtaining recognition in the Irish Courts of a several-$100m judgment of the Courts of New York, including securing a pre- and post-judgment mareva injunction and the appointment of a receiver to preserve assets.
Ireland > Insolvency and corporate restructuring Tier 2
Dillon Eustace has a fine record in domestic and cross-border insolvencies, particularly examinerships, often representing insolvency practitioners from the major accountancy firms that are acting as liquidators. It also has notable expertise in advising domestic and foreign secured creditors on security enforcement and distressed asset recovery. Over recent years, it has achieved a series of major aviation restructuring engagements and aviation sector cases relating to the sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. A dedicated fraud and asset recovery team within the department lends additional weight to the firm’s offering. Personal insolvency is another forte. Jamie Ensor is an experienced partner and Shane Harron is a rising star.Practice head(s):
Jamie Ensor; Conal Keane
Other key lawyers:
Shane Harron; Peter Bredin
Testimonials
‘Really strong technical advice delivered in a responsive manner with appropriate commercial decision making script. Very strong in looking-around-the-corner for issues that may arise.’
‘Jamie Ensor. Technically and commercially one of the most astute professionals in insolvency. He knows exactly how to play his hand for his client. Pleasure to deal with. ’
‘Excellent team. Highly skilled. Great communicators. Our preferred Dublin counsel.’
‘Very knowledgeable and experienced in the area of corporate restructurings. The team is as good as any of the top-tier firms in the market. ’
‘Jamie Ensor is one of the top ‘go-to’ lawyers in the area of corporate restructuring and insolvency. Jamie is highly experienced and responsive. His client relationship management and communication is excellent. ’
‘Full service firm with a particularly strong insolvency and corporate restructuring practice.’
‘Jamie Ensor (Partner) – commercially savvy and always dispenses well reasoned and practical advice. Shane Harron (Senior Associate) – handles complex litigation well and is always on top of the paperwork. A really good drafter.’
‘We have dealt with Jamie Ensor on a complex and novel receivership. Jamie is highly experienced in insolvency matters and provides practical and timely solutions to issues. He is very responsive and is able to distil difficult legal issues into key points to ensure client decisions are made much easier.’
Key clients
BOC Aviation
Declan Taite, Kroll Ireland
Mars Capital
Partners Group (Switzerland)
Balbec
AIG (New York)
MUFG Bank
C. Hoare & Co., bank (London)
Bespoke Trustees Limited
AIB
Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
Mabanaft Scandinavia A/S
Contrarian Funds LLC
Credit Suisse
BNY Mellon
Deutsche Bank Trust Company America
PwC
NAMA
Mazars (Tom O’Brien)
E&Y
Deloitte (David van Dessel and James Anderson)
Grant Thornton
RSM Ireland
Lapithus
Crowe Ireland (Aiden Murphy)
Azets (formerly Baker Tilly)
Pepper Asset Servicing
Smith & Williamson
McStay Luby
KPMG
Aidan Garcia Diaz
John Healy (Kirby Healy)
Myles Kirby (Kirby Healy)
Martin Ferris and Patrick McCoy
Tanager DAC
Seaconview DAC
Havbell DAC
Havbell No. 2 DAC
Work highlights
- Advised BOC Aviation Limited on obtaining worldwide freezing orders against a Russian owned cargo-airline and logistics company.
- Advised Myles Kirby, as liquidator, in respect of a VAT fraud claim arising from the importation of high-end luxury vehicles.
- Acted for Dessie Morrow, the examiner in the Bombay Pantry examinership.
Ireland > Insurance Tier 2
Dillon Eustace fields a large specialist insurance team with strong expertise in product liability, D&O, motor, business interruption and professional indemnity claims, along with aviation and marine cases. The team has worked intensively in representing aircraft lessors seeking insurance cover for lost aircraft after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The firm also has an established insurance regulatory group, which is especially active in business and product launches, and regulatory approvals. Keith Waine is a key figure for insurance regulatory matters, with Peter Bredin, John O’Riordan and Rachel Turner rated for contentious insurance.Practice head(s):
Paul Breen; Keith Waine
Other key lawyers:
John Doyle; Lorna Kennedy; Peter Bredin; John O’Riordan; Elaine Healy; Rachel Turner; David Kavanagh
Testimonials
‘Great understanding of how the legal system operates in Ireland.’
‘Paul Breen. Keeps things simple and gives practical advice.’
Key clients
Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland (MIBI)
RSA
AXA Insurance
Aviva
Allianz SE
FBD Insurance
AIG
AON
Amlin
Travelers
Liberty Insurance
Irish Public Bodies (IPB)
VERA Financial DAC
AXA MPS
Darta Saving Life Assurance DAC (Allianz)
Starr Europe
Global Aerospace Underwriting
Work highlights
- Acted for the “all risks” insurers of aircraft leasing firms Avolon and CDB in the defence of proceedings in which those firms allege that a number of aircraft have been detained in Russia and lost for the purposes of their insurance cover following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
- Advised insurers in relation to several high-value claims made by some large businesses for losses made under business interruption policies in connection with Covid-19.
- Acted for Tailored Finance Limited and its shareholders on its sale to NFP.
Ireland > Media and entertainment Tier 2
Ireland > Capital markets Tier 3
At Dillon Eustace, the team continues to advise on note issuance programmes, often for financial services clients, as well as tax driven structured finance matters. Practice head Mark Thorne and Conor Keaveny are well known for their expertise in handling structured finance and securitisation mandates.Practice head(s):
Mark Thorne
Other key lawyers:
Conor Keaveny; Keith Robinson; John-Hugh Colleran; Conor Kiernan
Key clients
Goldman Sachs
FBD Holdings plc
Deutsche Bank AG
Bond Central
AlphaNotes
Ireland > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3
The team at Dillon Eustace continues to handle a high number of mid-market M&A, private equity and venture capital deals. Under the leadership of the 'stand-out performer' Adrian Benson, the practice is well known for its strength in advising on financial services sector matters and work from clients in other regulated sectors. It is also noted for handling healthcare and property transactions, alongside restructurings and reorganisations. Philip Lea is well versed in handling shareholders’ agreements and joint ventures.Practice head(s):
Adrian Benson
Other key lawyers:
Philip Lea; Lorcan Tiernan
Testimonials
‘Dillon Eustace is a law firm with a very strong reputation in a number of fields, notably financial services. The corporate team has a number of very good lawyers, and they are able to advise on a range of corporate transactions and also to give clear strategic and discreet legal advice. The approach to advice is very commercial and they are focused on finding solutions. ’
‘Adrian Benson is a stand-out performer. Adrian has strong technical skills combined with a fantastic sense of what his clients want, and how to get it. He is a real heavyweight performer. ’
‘The team has good all-round capabilities, and is well respected in the Irish market. ’
‘Adrian Benson and Lorcan Tiernan are both very experienced, capable and savvy transactional lawyers. They know what it takes to get the deal done without unnecessary point scoring.’
Key clients
Verve
MML Capital
Vita Actives Limited
Odyssey VC Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the shareholder of Vita Actives on its sale to DairyGold.
- Advised MML Growth Capital Partners Ireland on its agreement to invest in Virginia International Logistics.
- Advised the shareholders of Verve on its sale to the US-owned Opus global group network.
Ireland > Fintech Tier 3
The financial regulatory practice at Dillon Eustace is frequently engaged to advise on the regulatory authorisations of fintech clients across the payments, e-money, crypto asset, insurance and retail credit spheres. In particular, the team stands out for its experience assisting international clients with the establishment of Irish entities, and frequently joins up with the firm’s strong funds practice to advise tech-based clients on their provision of investment services. Keith Waine leads the practice.Practice head(s):
Keith Waine
Other key lawyers:
Donnacha O’Connor
Key clients
Nua Money
Scalapay
We2Sure
Chainflip
Nazare Point Limited
Viceversa
Leonteq Securities
Sekuritance Solutions
SumUp
Virtu Financial
Hudson River Trading
Mex Group
Unity Finance
Work highlights
- Advising Nua Money in respect of its authorisation as a retail credit firm.
- Advising Chainflip, a decentralised exchange, on the establishment of its Irish entity and providing regulatory advice in respect of the proposed activities of the Irish entity.
- Advised Sekuritance Solutions on the company’s regulatory status and provided a legal opinion on the nature of the company’s crypto token.
Ireland > Real estate Tier 3
Demonstrating particular strength in investment deals in the PRS, Dillon Eustace acts for a growing client roster of major investors, commercial and residential developers, and state-sponsored bodies. The ‘knowledgable and dedicated‘ team also benefits from the wider firm’s strength in the financial services space, playing an active role in real estate loan portfolio sales and property finance transactions, where practice head Martin Colman, whose clients include Irish pillar banks and alternative lenders, has significant expertise. Kelly O’Hara and Brendan Cunnane are also among the key contacts.Practice head(s):
Martin Colman
Other key lawyers:
Kelly O’Hara; Brendan Cunnane; Fiona O’Neill; Nessa Ryan; Clare Lacey
Testimonials
‘Dillon Eustace’s expertise in commercial leasing and landlord and tenant matters shows a thorough understanding of both the law and the commercial landscape around it. In addition, they operate a very fair and transparent approach to billing and at all times clients feel they are getting real value for money.’
‘Kelly O’Hara is an excellent practitioner. Her advice is always prompt, clear and based on common sense. Moreover, she always indicates a timeframe in which she will respond and does not leave clients wondering.’
‘Martin Colman is fantastic.’
‘The people are very good – knowledgable and dedicated.’
‘Brendan Cunnane is very reasoned, methodical and available past office hours when needed.’
Key clients
IPUT plc
Franklin Templeton
Land Development Agency
Cairn Homes Properties Limited
Nassarius Capital AG
Round Hill Capital
Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland DAC
SW3 Capital/Tristan Capital Partners
Round Hill Capital
Greenoak Europe Secured Lending
Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland DAC
Elleke Vermogens
Fine Grain Property (Ireland) Limited
NAMA
Fairfield Real Estate Finance Limited
Lone Star
Garlin Investment ICAV
The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland
Permanent TSB
Abarta Investments ICAV
Centric Health
AIB
House Building Finance Ireland
Reil Investments
Remcoll Developments Limite
Homestore & More
Work highlights
- Acted for IPUT in the leasing of the Tropical Fruit Warehouse, an iconic new office development in Dublin’s Docklands, to TikTok.
- Acting for Cairn Homes in respect of the sale of Mercer Vale, a 152-unit residential development in Cherrywood, Dublin 18.
- Acting for Finegrain Property on the acquisition of The Waterside Portfolio, Citywest, which comprises five blocks of grade A offices acquired from IPUT and Davy, for a sum in excess of €65 million.
Dillon Eustace > Firm Profile
Dillon Eustace is one of Ireland’s leading law firms focusing on asset management and investment funds, banking and capital markets, corporate and M&A, employment, financial services, insurance, litigation and dispute resolution, real estate and taxation.
Founded 30 years ago, today the firm has, 40 partners and a total staff of almost 200. The firm is headquartered in Dublin, and has offices in the Cayman Islands, New York, and Tokyo. The firm advises clients on Irish and Cayman law matters.
The firm’s client base includes international and domestic asset managers, investment fund promoters, insurers, banks, corporates, financial institutions, TPAs and custodians, prime brokers, government, and supranational bodies as well as newspapers, aviation and maritime, industry participants and real estate developers and investors.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Managing Partner | Donnacha O'Connor | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1729 |
Asset management & Investment Funds | Etain de Valera | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1739 |
Asset management & Investment Funds | Brian Dillon | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1713 |
Aviation/Asset Finance | Conor Keaveny | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1741 |
Banking | Conor Keaveny | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1741 |
Banking | Keith Robinson | [email protected] | +353 1 674 1004 |
Capital markets | Mark Thorne | [email protected] | +353 1 667 0022 |
Capital markets | Conor Keaveny | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1741 |
Cayman Islands | Jonathan Law | [email protected] | +1 345 949 0022 |
Real Estate | Martin Colman | [email protected] | + 353 1 673 1770 |
Real Estate | Kelly O'Hara | [email protected] | + 353 1 673 1827 |
Commercial litigation and dispute resolution | Paul Breen | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1784 |
Compliance and regulatory | Keith Waine | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1822 |
Corporate and M&A | Adrian Benson | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1705 |
Distressed asset acquisition and finance | Conor Keaveny | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1741 |
Distressed asset acquisition and finance | Mark Thorne | [email protected] | +353 1 667 0022 |
Financial services | Brian Higgins | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1891 |
Hedge funds and structured investment funds | Donnacha O'Connor | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1729 |
Hedge funds and structured investment funds | Etain de Valera | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1739 |
Insolvency and corporate recovery | Jamie Ensor | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1722 |
Insurance litigation | Paul Breen | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1784 |
Inward investment | Mark Thorne | [email protected] | +353 1 667 0022 |
Listings | Tara O'Callaghan | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1831 |
Maritime and aviation litigation | David Kavanagh | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1788 |
Media and defamation | David Kavanagh | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1788 |
Head of New York | David Walsh | [email protected] | + 1 212 792 4168 |
Insurance litigation | Elaine Healy | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1797 |
Private equity/venture capital | Adrian Benson | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1705 |
Head of Taxation | David Lawless | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1765 |
Regulatory investigations | John O'Riordan | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1792 |
Securitisation and structured finance | Conor Keaveny | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1741 |
Securitisation and structured finance | David Lawless | [email protected] | +353 1 673 1765 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Adrian Benson | Partner and Head of the Corporate and M&A Department | View Profile | |
Mr Cillian Bredin | Partner, Asset Management and Investment Funds | View Profile | |
Mr Peter Bredin | Partner, Litigation and Dispute Resolution | View Profile | |
Mr John-Hugh Colleran | Partner, Banking and Capital Markets | View Profile | |
Mr Martin Colman | Partner and Head of Real Estate | View Profile | |
Mr Shane Coveney | Partner, Asset Management and Investment Funds | View Profile | |
Mr Brian Dillon | Partner, Asset Management and Investment Funds | View Profile | |
Mr Jamie Ensor | Partner, Restructuring and Insolvency | View Profile | |
Mr Paul Eustace | Consultant, Real Estate | View Profile | |
Mr Brian Higgins | Partner, Asset Management and Investment Funds | View Profile | |
Mr David Kavanagh | Partner, Litigation and Dispute Resolution | View Profile | |
Mr Conor Keaveny | Partner, Banking & Capital Markets | View Profile | |
Mr Brian Kelliher | Partner, Asset Management and Investment Funds | View Profile | |
Ms Grace O'Connor | Partner, Asset Management and Investment Funds | View Profile | |
Mr Donnacha O'Connor | Managing Partner and Partner, Asset Management and Investment Funds | View Profile | |
Ms Kelly O'Hara | Partner, Real Estate | View Profile | |
Ms Derbhil O'Riordan | Partner, Asset Management and Investment Funds | View Profile | |
Mr John O'Riordan | Partner, Litigation and Dispute Resolution | View Profile | |
Mr Keith Robinson | Partner, Banking and Capital Markets | View Profile | |
Mr Keith Waine | Partner, Head of Department | View Profile | |
Ms Etain de Valera | Partner, Head of Asset Management and Investment Funds | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Staffing total : 200Languages
French German ItalianOther
Main Contact Dublin : Donnacha O'Connor (Managing Partner), [email protected] Corporate : Adrian Benson, [email protected] Real Estate : Martin Colman, [email protected] Litigation and Dispute Resolution : Paul Breen, [email protected] Banking & Capital Markets : Mark Thorne, [email protected] Asset Management & Investment Funds : Etain de Valera, [email protected] Financial Regulation : Keith Waine, [email protected] Cayman Office : Jonathan Law, [email protected] New York Office : David Walsh, [email protected] Tokyo Office : Brian Dillon, [email protected]Legal Briefings
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