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Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

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Mason Hayes & Curran LLP covers a range of DCM, structured finance and securitisation, and derivatives transactions. It has remained active in high-yield and investment grade debt offerings, along with asset-backed securities and secured note programmes. The firm also has an established presence in equity offerings and public M&A transactions. Admitted to practice in Ireland, and England and Wales, Daragh O’Shea (‘manages client personalities very well and is highly commercial’), is head of the DCM and structured finance group. Justin McKenna leads the ECM team and has an established record in IPOs, follow-on offerings and in advising listed companies.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Proactive team that made considerable effort for drafting on tight turnarounds and last minute changes. Strong understanding of documentation and security that ensured that the client was not disadvantaged in a difficult negotiation.’

  • ‘Daragh O'Shea was very proactive and engaged throughout the transaction and ensured timelines were met. His considerable experience and knowledge in the sector made a significant difference in the outcome of the transaction. Associates Andrew Gill and Donna O'Leary worked tirelessly to tight deadlines to ensure the transaction was completed to the client's required timelines.’

  • ‘MHC is an excellent Irish legal firm to deal with, maintaining their challenger heritage, despite now being a top tier firm. Partners are very capable and commercially astute and surprising for legal firms, they originate business very competitively. ’

  • ‘The individuals at Mason Hayes & Curran LLP stand out for their deep expertise, responsiveness, and client-focused approach. Partners, like Daragh O'Shea, and associates including Jamie Macdonald, Eoin Traynor and Donna O'Leary, are exceptionally proactive, consistently anticipating client needs and delivering tailored solutions in a timely manner.’

  • ‘Justin McKenna and his team are excellent problem-solvers and give to the point, direct advice. They are consistently highly responsive. Justin, in particular, is a highly pragmatic, seasoned practitioner. He is supported by a team that inspires confidence with excellent attention to detail, quality advice and who offer well-rounded perspectives.’

  • ‘Top class and very responsive.’

  • ‘Daragh O'Shea - experience, pragmatism, international track record, astute sensitivity about what a client and the other party aim for, collaborativeness, excellent team management, deep understanding of law, and more. Andew Gill, Donna O'Leary, Eoin Traynor - excellent lawyers, with perseverance and stamina to finish strenuous tasks.’

  • ‘We have found Darragh O'Shea to not only be a top lawyer, with a deep knowledge of capital markets transactions, but he also displays great attributes of a leader and his personal qualities enhance his position as a trusted legal adviser. Frank has a unique background in business prior to becoming a lawyer. He is naturally blessed with great wisdom and conveys confidence and provides assurance to the client when advising on important legal issues being faced.' 

Key clients

  • First Quantum Minerals
  • Leverage Shares
  • FBD Trust Company
  • Diversified ETP
  • ETPCAP2
  • CIX Capital International
  • Apex Corporate Trustees (UK)
  • VAMS DAC
  • Mulvaney Trustees (UK)

Work highlights

  • Acted as Irish counsel to the issuer, First Quantum Minerals Ltd on various wholesale bond and equity issuances.
  • Acted as lead deal counsel to IMC Exploration on the £42m acquisition of the Karaberd Mine in Armenia, by means of an issue of shares by IMC Exploration  to the shareholders of MVI Ireland, effectively constituting a reverse takeover of IMC Exploration.
  • Acted as lead legal advisor to Leverage Shares in respect of its collateralised exchange traded securities programme.

Lawyers

Leading partners: Capital markets: Equity
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Daragh O’Shea, Justin McKenna

Other key lawyers

Paul Egan SC, Anne Harkin, Donna O’Leary, Eoin Traynor, Jamie MacDonald, Andrew Gill