Stuart Kennedy
Matheson LLPMatheson LLP has a background in domestic and cross-border financing, leasing, commercial debt, capital markets transactions and export credit agency-supported financings. It is also rated for its experience in aviation restructurings and aviation regulatory matters. It has an outstanding client base of aircraft lessors, in particular, and has recently worked intensively in M&A transactions involving asset leasing companies. It has made a further impression in establishing aviation debt acquisition platforms, advising on the first regulated aviation fund in Ireland and the first Shariah-compliant aircraft financing structure in Ireland. Rory McPhillips and Stuart Kennedy co-head the aviation finance and transportation group, which also includes Yvonne McWeeney. Stephen Gardiner left the firm in early 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Delivers a quality service on a consistent basis. Has a can do attitude.’
‘Stuart Kennedy and Rory McPhillips are proactive, calm and understand the asset finance business and are extremely efficient and knowledgeable.’
‘Extremely responsive team that understand the market and are able to lead complex transactions as well as work seamlessly alongside other teams when advising on the Irish law aspects of international asset finance transactions.’
‘We regularly work with Stuart Kennedy - he is very experienced and has very long standing relationships with his clients. His trusted advisor status means that he can add more insight and value to a transaction; he understands his clients' business and he knows how to deliver matters on time and on budget very effectively. He is always a pleasure to collaborate with, extremely knowledgeable and responsive.’
‘Stuart Kennedy is my go-to person. He is very thoughtful from the fee quote stage and throughout the process. And he is always very responsive.’
‘Rory McPhillips and team are very responsive and have an excellent understanding of what lessors need.’
‘A practical yet detailed approach, in particular from Rory McPhillips, is much appreciated. Rory also has strong colleagues in many other disciplines that cross over to the world of lessors. ’
‘Stuart Kennedy is one of the key partners in the asset finance practice, very personable and knowledgeable. Rory McPhillips is another key partner who has been involved in the space for many years.’
Key clients
- VivaAerobus
- FTAI Aviation
- Aergo Capital Limited
- Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA
- CDB Aviation
- UK Export Finance (UKEF)
- CCB Aviation
- Aviation Capital Group
- AerCap
- Castlelake
- LR AirFinance
- Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE)
- Arctic Aviation Assets
- PK AirFinance
- Jackson Square Aviation
- Tokyo Century
- Fortress Investment Group
- Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES)
- Bank of Communications Financial Leasing (BoComm Leasing)
- CMB Financial Leasing (CMB Aviation)
- Azorra Aviation
- Irving Oil Company
- Exolum Corporation
- Drogheda Port Company
Work highlights
- Advised (on an information barrier basis using two teams) Azorra Aviation and Voyager Aviation on the purchase by Azorra Aviation of substantially all of Voyager Aviation's transportation assets.
- Advised CDB Leasing on its inaugural $625m sustainability linked loan.
- Advised Azorra Aviation in connection with its $988m debt financing facility.
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Practice head
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Rory McPhillips, Stuart Kennedy