A&L Goodbody LLP‘s banking and finance team has great strength in depth, and fields extensive expertise in advising on a number of the largest property and development finance projects and loan portfolio sales in Ireland. The firm handles a steady workflow of high-value, complex instructions involving acquisition and leveraged finance, corporate lending, real estate finance, fund finance and sustainability-linked finance, to name a few areas. The client base includes corporates, sponsors, financial institutions, and private credit lenders. Head of general finance Peter Murray is a key practitioner, and Gillian McDonald is highly regarded for her expertise in loan portfolio sales. Other key lawyers include Seamus Ó’CróinínMaria McElhinney, Niamh McMahon and senior associate Lisa Tait. London-based partner Robbie O’Driscoll assists Irish entities with a wide spectrum of finance transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Fully resourced team at all levels which is key for large scale / time sensitive transactions. Collaborate well across internal departments. Excellent availability of key individuals on transactions. Fees appropriate to transaction and no unmerited variations.’

  • ‘Robbie O'Driscoll was excellent throughout the number of transactions we completed - always available, maintained calm and did all that was necessary to get transactions completed. His support team maintained these standards. ’

  • ‘The partners have a great perspective on the work and the world. They are super informed about what is going on in the industry. They are hugely professional, practical and supportive. The firm is able to call on a wide variety of expertise.’

  • ‘Peter Murray and Niamh McMahon have an in depth understanding of the work, the law and the art of negotiation. They are prompt, practical and a joy to work with.’

  • ‘Proactive, commercial and very well informed on deal structuring, conditionality and covenant packages, particularly for larger, complex multi-banked transactions.’

  • ‘Responsive, commercial and understand what their clients are trying to achieve. Work to this agenda and drive transactions forward and to completion.’

  • ‘Seamus Ó’Cróinín uses astute interventions and draws on all his commercial negotiating experience to find solutions to both legal and regulatory issues. He also remains calm and unruffled. Lisa Tait is measured and relentless in her efforts to progress a transaction with the pace that clients require. Really good calm manner and a pleasure to deal with.'

Key clients

  • Bank of Ireland
  • Ulster Bank
  • HSBC Bank plc
  • Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.
  • Standard Chartered Bank
  • Corten Capital GP Limited
  • Perrigo Company plc
  • Kroll Agency Services Limited (as Agent)
  • Activate Capital
  • IPF Management S.A.
  • National Westminster Bank plc
  • Patrizia Immobilien AG

Work highlights

  • Acted as lead counsel for the Bank of Ireland in relation to the disposal of an Irish non- performing loan portfolio with an approximate value of €800m.
  • Represented Activate Investments Five DAC as mezzanine lender on a €385m financing with Marlet to fund the development of over 1,100 units at two separate PRS developments in Dublin.
  • Advised the clients on the amendment and extension of a €3.5bn multicurrency revolving credit facility for CRH Finance (UK) and CRH Finance DAC.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
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.

Peter Murray, Marie O'Brien

Other key lawyers

Seamus Ó’Cróinín, Maria McElhinney, Niamh McMahon, Robbie O’Driscoll, Gillian McDonald, Lisa Tait