Matheson LLP

Stuart Kennedy

Stuart is a partner in the Finance and Capital Markets Department and advises on all aspects of aviation, shipping, rail and other asset financing, trading and leasing matters on a daily basis.  Stuart has gained considerable experience in advising on the structuring of aircraft purchase, sale, financing and leasing transactions and acts for a number of aircraft lessors, financiers and airlines in leveraged, syndicated and export credit agency backed financing facilities.  Stuart also has considerable experience in advising on structured finance, ABS (asset-backed securities) and repackaging transactions relating to all such asset classes including the establishment of special purpose companies funded by public and private issuances. Stuart also regularly advises Irish airlines and leasing companies on airline licencing and registration issues with the Irish Aviation Authority and Commission for Aviation Regulation in addition to all aspects of the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol. Stuart regularly presents to aircraft and aircraft engine lessors on all aspects of the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol and to company directors on their duties and responsibilities under Irish law. Stuart is also a lecturer and tutor on the Law Society of Ireland’s Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance.

Stephen Gardiner

Stephen is a partner in the Finance and Capital Markets Department at Matheson. Stephen advises aircraft lessors, financiers and airlines on the trading, financing, leasing and repossession of aircraft. His practice includes the establishment of corporate structures in Ireland to facilitate the financing and leasing of various asset classes, including aviation, maritime and industrial assets. Stephen advises some of the world’s largest financial institutions and leading aviation industry participants on a variety of transactions and financing products utilising Irish corporate structures. These include joint ventures, operating leasing, orphan financings, sale and leasebacks, export credit agency supported financings, secured and unsecured lending, EETCs, JOLCOs, ABS and PDP financings, amongst others. Stephen is recognised as an experienced advisor in airline regulation and aircraft registration in Ireland, and has advised on the establishment of a major international airline in Ireland. Stephen was named as a key lawyer in transport in Ireland by Legal 500 in 2020 and as a Rising Star by Airfinance Journal in 2019. Stephen is faculty member on The Law Society of Ireland’s Certificate and Diploma courses in Aviation Leasing and Finance. He is also a licenced private pilot.

Rory McPhillips

Rory McPhillips is a partner in the Finance and Capital Markets Department. Rory has considerable experience in advising financial institutions, equity participants, export credit agencies, commercial and investment banks, airlines, aircraft leasing companies and others in a wide range of matters over a number of years. He represents clients in the financing and leasing of aircraft, railcars, engines, simulators, trucks and industrial equipment, and routinely handles all Irish aspects of financing structures established across multiple jurisdictions with aircraft and other assets deployed globally.

Yvonne McWeeney

Yvonne is a partner in the Finance and Capital Markets Department and advises on all aspects of aviation, shipping, rail and other asset financing, trading and leasing matters on a daily basis. Yvonne has gained considerable experience in advising on all aspects of the structuring of asset purchase, sale, financing and leasing transactions and acts for a number of aircraft lessors, financiers and airlines in leveraged, syndicated and export credit agency backed financing facilities. Yvonne also has considerable experience in advising on structured finance, ABS (asset-backed securities) and repackaging transactions relating to all such asset classes including the establishment of special purpose companies funded by public and private issuances. Yvonne has significant experience in advising on all aspects of the Cape Town Convention and in addition regularly provides advice on registration issues with the Irish Aviation Authority. Yvonne is also a lecturer and tutor on the Law Society of Ireland’s Certificate and Diploma courses in Aviation Leasing and Finance.