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
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

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

Other key lawyers

Kate Clancy