McCann FitzGerald LLP
McCann FitzGerald LLP has an excellent track record in the aviation finance and leasing arenas. With eight partners in its ranks, the practice is instructed in a wide spectrum of matters, ranging from the establishment of aviation platforms in Ireland to capital markets, syndicated financings, leasings, sale and leaseback transactions, corporate reorganisations and restructurings. Catherine Deane is a doyenne of the aviation finance market; finance practice head Georgina O’Riordan, Hilary Marren, Joe Fay and Colm Fanning are established practitioners in the space. Richard Gill, Laura Deignan and Ian Payne are also highly regarded names in the department.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent, dedicated team with vast experience and capability offering great value compared to London or NY rates.’
‘Hilary Marren for the depth of experience and calmness under the pressure of the largest transactions. Joe Fay for his technical expertise.’
‘I have worked with the team at McCann Fitzgerald for many years across many positions. McCann Fitzgerald are exceptional at what they do and I have had no problem in recommending this firm to anyone seeking to retain Irish counsel. ’
‘My point of contact at McCann Fitzgerald is Richard Gill. Richard is an extremely approachable person who handles his work in a professional manner and can meet our often short deadlines. ’
‘Domain knowledge, customer and transaction focused makes the McCann's team unique in their ability to manage and close transactions. ’
‘Ability to manage and close the transaction efficiently. Efficient in producing and turning the documents, thorough understanding of the deal points and willingness to provide direction to the client, to make its happen. Also have to recognise their customer focus and willingness to be available.’
‘Laura in particular is very responsive, great communication, she is simply fantastic. The team led by Catherine Deane, Georgina O’Riordan, Laura Deignan and Ian Payne is technically excellent.’
‘Laura Deignan is a dedicated, commercial, pragmatic lawyer. She is thorough and sharp with a calming presence. She is an asset to every deal. Ian Payne knows his stuff and is all over every detail. One to watch.’
Key clients
- Abelo Capital Aviation Management Limited
- AerCap
- AerDragon Aviation Partners Limited
- AerSale Inc.
- Aircastle Advisor LLC
- Altavair
- Altitude Investors DACf
- Apollo Global Management
- ASL Aviation
- AV Air Finance
- Avia Solutions Group (ASG) PLC
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi
- BBAM Aviation Services Limited
- BOC Aviation Leasing
- Calliston GmbH & Co. Beteiligungs KG
- Cavic Aviation Leasing (Ireland) Co. DAC
- CDB Aviation Leasing
- Challey Limited
- CHC Group LLC
- CIAF Leasing
- Credit Agricole
- Delaware Life Insurance Company
- Deutsche Bank AG
- Development Bank of Singapore Ltd
- DNB Bank ASA
- Doric Asset Finance GmbH & Co. KG
- DVB Bank SE
- Dynam Japan Holding Holdings Co., Ltd
- EAVF II Aircraft Holdings Limited
- EMP Aviation Ireland Limited
- Fexco
- FGL Aircraft Ireland (FUYO)
- Fly Leasing Limited
- FPG Amentum
- Genesis Aircraft Services Limited
- Guardian Holdings Limited
- ING Bank N.V., Singapore Branch
- Jackson Square Aviation Ireland Limited
- JP Lease Products & Services Co., Ltd.
- KKR Altitude Holdings L.P.
- Magnetar Capital
- MUFG Bank, Ltd
- NGF Overseas Aircraft Limited
- Nordic Aviation Capital
- Odeon International Holding B.V.
- ORIX Aviation Systems Limited
- Pembroke Capital/Standard Chartered Bank
- Rockton AB
- SAIC Holdings Limited
- SAS
- SATO Aviation Capital
- Security Benefits Life Insurance Company
- Sierra Echo Aircraft Leasing Limited
- Sirius Aviation Capital Holdings Limited
- Sky Aero Management Limited
- Skyworks Leasing (Ireland) Limited
- SMBC Aviation Capital
- SolÉir Aviation Capital
- ST Aerospace Resources Pte. Ltd
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- TATA SIA Airlines Limited (operating as Vistara)
- Titan Aviation
- Trustmark National Bank
- UMBF Trust and Agency Services (Ireland) Limited
- Viva Aerobus
- Vueling Airlines, S.A.
Work highlights
- Advised AerCap on its $1bn offering of 5.750% senior unsecured notes due 2028.
- Advised ORIX in connection with its acquisition of the entire share capital of SORA Airlease DAC, previously a joint venture company owned by ORIX and Merx Aviation Finance Assets Ireland Limited.
- Advised Sky Leasing on the Irish law aspects of its sale of Sky Fund I Irish, Ltd. and its subsidiaries to Dubai Aerospace Capital.
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 individuals
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Joe specialises in banking and asset finance transactions and has advised many of the main participants in the aviation finance industry. He advises on the structuring and financing of the acquisition, ownership and leasing of aircraft and aircraft portfolio securitisations. He also involves advising foreign and domestic aircraft owners and lessors on all aspects of registration of aircraft on the Irish register, operating aircraft in Ireland and establishing aircraft facilities in Ireland. In the course of this work Joe advises on the Irish and EU regulatory framework for the operation and ownership of aircraft and airlines. He also lectures regularly at the aviation law masters programme at the University of Leiden, The Netherlands, and at the aviation finance masters programme at the Smurfit School of Business, UCD.
Hall of fameMcCann FitzGerald LLP
Hilary is a partner in the firm’s Finance Group, specialising in asset finance and leasing transactions. She has acted for many of the leading operating lessors, financiers and export credit agencies in the aviation industry. She has extensive experience of diverse international aviation transactions, including portfolio acquisitions and disposals, secured and unsecured lending, leveraged leasing, portfolio securitisations, aviation-related joint ventures and cross-border financings. Hilary has also advised clients on the acquisition and disposal of operating leasing companies.
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Georgina is Head of our Finance Group and her practice focuses on banking and asset finance transactions. She advises leading aircraft lessors, lenders and arrangers on all aspects of aircraft financing and leasing. This includes cross-border leasing transactions, sale and leaseback transactions, secured lending, portfolio acquisitions and disposals and the establishment of leasing and financing platforms in Ireland. She also advises clients on aircraft repossessions, the registration and operation of aircraft in Ireland and the establishment of Irish joint venture vehicles for the acquisition and financing of aircraft.
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Catherine Deane, Joe Fay, Hilary Marren, Georgina O’Riordan, Richard Gill, Colm Fanning, Laura Deignan, Ian Payne