Maples Group has an established track record in handling cross-border M&A and corporate transactions involving private equity and institutional investors. The Dublin office has seen an increase in venture capital investment matters, and is well known for advising on big-ticket private equity deals. Practice head Colm Rafferty is a highly regarded partner, with an excellent reputation for advising on cross-border M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions. Morgan Pierse is an emerging talent, with particular strength in acting on financial services and technology deals, and recently promoted partner Jordan O’Brien is a name to note. Of counsel William Darmody is singled out for his contributions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Colm Rafferty and Morgan Pierse are two standout names.'
‘Proactive, client focused and always available. The team have developed a cutting edge locally in terms of their ability to focus on the important issues early to ensure the client is aware of the weak points of the transaction. ’
‘Colm Rafferty: Always direct and client focused. Will find a way to bridge any gap in expectations as necessary, but ensures that clients are fully informed throughout the transaction.'
‘Jordan O'Brien is an excellent lawyer technically and commercially. He has an ability to explain the most technical points in simple terms enabling you to make decisions on complex legal points. He is also a pleasure to deal with and extremely responsive. Emma Sheehy is an extremely talented lawyer. She has super attention to detail, is well versed on complex corporate issues and is very responsive. She is a pleasure to deal with.’
‘Colm Rafferty - good leader. Jordon O'Brien- responsive and helpful. Morgan Pierse - excellent support.’
‘We primarily work with Colm Rafferty and he is simply one of the best corporate lawyers in Ireland. He understands the needs of tech companies raising money to a very high degree and he is unrivalled by the competition. He is a truly exceptional advisor and you always know you're in very safe hands with his advice.'
‘Extremely commercial, practical and focus on the key points in a deal. Very personable and able to get a deal done when inevitable obstacles pop up.’
‘The team is highly skilled in many different areas of the law. They work together very well and guide you to the right person to fit your needs.'

Key clients

AIB
Alpha Wireless Ltd
AMCS Group
Amedeo
Apollo
Avolon
Beats Medical
BGF Investments LP
Bounce Insights
Brightflag
Buymie Technologies Ltd
BVI Medical
Cantor Fitzgerald
Cardinal Capital Group
CityJet
CitySwift
Clearlake Capital
CME Drilling
Code Institute
Conjura Ltd
Demeter & Co.
Elio Networks
Empeal
ET Fuels
Euroforest
Fairstone Group
Fifty-Three Six Media
FLYEfit
Fortress Investment Group LLC
Francisco Partners Management LLC
Fundrecs
Furious Horizon
Global Consolidated Aesthetics
Global Gap Year Student Services Ltd
Great Point Partners
Gym Plus Coffee Ltd
Harkness Screens
Health XL
Heitman International LLC
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
iFeel Technology Solutions
LastPass Ireland
LearnUpon
Marathon Asset Management
MBK Partners
Meili Travel Technology
Merative
Mercuria Energy Group
MML Growth Capital Partners
Molten Ventures
Mortgage Horizons Ltd. (T/A Doddl)
MyWallStreet
Nearform
Nektr Technologies
Neueda Technologies
NewsWhip
Northwell Health
Oaktree / Lioncor
One Identify Software
Outmin
PatientMpower
Payemoji
PMD Solutions
Prodigy Learning
Publicis Groupe Holdings BV
Quest Software
Real World Analytics
Roomex
Sanlam
Scopely, inc
Sky Aviation Leasing
SportCaller
Spotlight Oral Care
ST Engineering
SteriPack Group
Susquehanna Growth Equity
Synova Capital
TA Associates
Taoglas
Teamwork
Tech Mahindra
Tristan Capital Partners LLP
UnitedHealth Group
Upland
Urban Volt
US CourtScript Holdings, Inc. (eScribers)
Vela Games
Vista Equity Partners
Waterfall Asset Management
Wayflyer Ltd
Wychwood Capital Partners
Zyte

Work highlights

Acted as lead counsel to Taoglas on its acquisition by Graham Partners.
Advised Cardinal Capital Group on its investment in Uform.
Acted as lead counsel to Roomex on its acquisition by FLEETCOR Technologies.

Lawyers

Leading individuals

Colm Rafferty

Maples Group

Colm is co-head of Maples and Calder's Corporate team in the Maples Group's Dublin office. Colm has extensive experience in company law and corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, venture capital, cross-border mergers and private equity investments. He has been involved in many of Ireland's most significant equity financings and transactions involving Irish private technology companies. Colm also has extensive experience advising institutional financial investors and private equity investors investing in and acquiring Irish assets. His practice includes Irish inward investment projects and other cross border transactions. Colm is a sought after advisor to many of Ireland's most successful venture-backed technology companies, having represented such companies as AMCS, Movidius and Web Reservations.

Next Generation Partners