Banking and finance

McCann FitzGerald LLP

McCann FitzGerald LLP's wide-ranging banking and finance practice takes in multi-layered financings, restructurings, and real estate and development finance matters, as well as assisting alternative lenders with entering into the Irish market. The firm continues to handle a high volume of fund finance matters, and has an expanding presence in the financial services regulatory sphere. The department has also seen a steady growth of work pertaining to ESG and sustainability-linked finance. Niall Powderly leads the corporate banking team, and has an excellent track record in advising pillar banks and international lenders on big-ticket financings. Josh Hogan leads the financial services regulatory group; Eamon de Valera focuses on fund finance and social and affordable housing financing matters; Philip Murphy has extensive experience in advising on hotel and development financings; and Stuart McCarron is an expert in real estate finance. Niall McDowell and Aidan Gleeson are singled out for their contributions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The Banking & Finance team at McCann Fitzgerald are an engaged and highly functioning team that prioritise client needs over anything else. Their desire to provide the best outcome for their clients is a key driving force of their successes. ’
‘The firm's focus on putting clients needs first is driven from the individual partners and ethos of the firm. Niall McDowell has forged great relationships with both lenders and borrowers and can seamlessly work across both sides whilst still retaining integrity and professionalism. ’
‘Tom Dane and Philip Murphy are both excellent and well valued legal experts for our firm.’
‘Eamon de Valera is a knowledgeable and insightful lawyer who can cut to the core of an issue and using his vast experience, procure a solution. Aidan Gleeson is an excellent communicator who delivers exceptional service across complex transactions coordinating multiple parties.’
‘Judith Lawless is a highly impressive lawyer. Her knowledge of the subject matter is boundless and her response times are excellent.’
‘Josh Hogan (Partner) and his colleague James Fitzgerald (Senior Associate): Josh is exceptional in his knowledge of the Regulatory considerations for our business. He is always professional, prompt, and solution orientated in any matters we take to him in this area. James is a strong subject matter expert and again professional engaging and always available to take calls even on short notice. Very client focused.’
‘Niall McDowell is our primary contact in the banking team. Niall is vital to our business and is viewed by senior management as a valuable extension of our team. He has an incredible, instinctive knowledge of our business needs and the national and international banking markets and consistently delivers without fuss. A low key, consistent high achiever. Niall has exceptional emotional intelligence and uses his power with people to get deals across the line. This is the banking lawyer that you want on your side in any manner of banking transaction. ’
‘Aidan Gleeson is a stand out individual within MCF who is very hard working, diligent and has a very strong grasp of banking documentation. Aidan is particularly strong at cash flow lending having worked on a number of high profile transactions in recent years. Coupled with his hard work ethic, Aidan is generally light hearted and fun to work with.’

Key clients

Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.
The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland
Irish Residential Properties REIT plc and its subsidiary IRES Residential Properties Limited
Urbeo Residential Fund ICAV
Dairygold Co-operative Society Limited
Cardinal Capital Group UC
Marlet Property Group
Deutsche Bank AG – London Branch
Bain
Oaktree Capital Management
Citibank
Relm Loan Opportunities 3 Dac
AshGrove Capital
ATA Group
PIMCO
Leumi UK
European Investment Bank
Ornua
SilverPoint
HSBC
MUFG Bnak
Activate
Wells Fargo Capital Finance

Work highlights

Advised the governor and company of the Bank of Ireland as ‘first out’ lender in connection with refinancing Writech’s existing indebtedness and financing certain bolt-on acquisitions (including Orbital Welding Solutions).
Represented Marlet Property Group as borrower for the financing of its development of 1,108 residential apartments in Howth and Grand Canal Harbour in Dublin.
Advised Allied Irish Banks, and the governor and company of the Bank of Ireland, on debt facilities to Phoenix Labs Unlimited and connected companies to refinance existing debt and acquire portfolios of assets from Sanofi and other leading international pharmaceuticals companies.

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.

Niall Powderly

Hall of fameMcCann FitzGerald LLP

Leading associates

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