Banking and finance

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP's large banking and finance practice has an excellent reputation for advising on loan portfolio sales and acquisitions, loan on loan deals, warehouse financing, real estate and development finance, and project finance. The firm is close to Irish pillar banks, international lenders, alternative lenders and a large number of borrower clients. The head of the financial services group, Neil Campbell, is a prominent name in loan portfolio sales, and Micheál Grace's workload includes loan on loan deals, real estate and warehouse financings, and distressed asset purchases. Cathy Grant is very experienced in corporate banking, and Karol Fox specialises in development finance matters. Following William Carmody‘s appointment as firm managing partner, Muireann Hernon now heads up the project finance team. Irene Nic Chárthaigh and Alan Burns are key names to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘I work with Neil Campbell regularly and find him to be very commercial and practical in the advice that he provides. Irene Nic Charthaigh is always available and very thorough in the advice that she provides.’
‘To date, I have mostly dealt with Karol Fox who is very knowledgeable in the Banking Sector. Karol is very approachable, easily contactable and always willing to help and go the extra mile for his clients. Overall I have always had an excellent experience dealing with MHC and Karol and his team in particular.'
‘Cathy Grant, in particular, is a firm favourite. She has unrivalled expertise and knowledge of cross-border financings. She delivers superb quality of work and advice every time. ’
‘The MHC team continuously demonstrate their capabilities and ability to deliver. They have keen awareness of key requirements that we have in our business, providing good advice and guidance. Their communication/engagement, commercial mindedness and ability to take a holistic view sets them apart from other firms. It's easy to pick up the phone and talk through queries, they are very responsive and helpful. ’
‘I deal with Karol Fox mostly in MHC, he has a great knowledge of the banking & finance sector; his communication skills make him stand out from others; he is always available to discuss issues, is very helpful and proactive in dealing with issues.'
‘Irene Nic Chárthaigh was recently announced as a new Partner in the Financial Services sector. She is a highly intelligent and responsive individual who makes the effort to fully understand her client's business. Her drafting is always presented in a clear, concise and user-friendly manner. Irene's key attributes include an ability to think strategically and pre-empt issues and manage transactions efficiently from cradle to grave. Irene maintains a high level of transactional landscape awareness, acting as a market maker and bringing together clients from all sides of the financial world to maximise value. ’
‘Micheál Grace runs a very slick operation. Super focussed on achieving the right end-result.’
‘Alan Burns, who recently made partner, is an exceptional lawyer. He is very commercial and provides advice, not just a strict legal opinion. Alan is an expert in non bank lending and alternative debt structuring, which is rare in the Irish market. ’

Key clients

Citibank N.A.
Bank of America, N.A.
RBC Europe Limited
Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.
Permanent TSB Public Limited Company
The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland
Arjun Infrastructure Partners
EasyHotel
Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale
Permira Credit Group
Home Building Finance Ireland Lending DAC
EdgeconneX
BAWAG P.S.K.

Work highlights

Advised Citibank and Bank of America in connection with a $28.5bn senior unsecured bridge loan facility for Amgen.
Advised Permanent TSB on the disposal of the Project Glenbeigh IV portfolio.