Dillon Eustace has the largest team in the market and a significant number of Irish-domiciled fund clients. It is at the forefront of UCITS, ETFs and alternative funds, while taking the lead in key areas such as ESG and sustainability. The firm’s history in the area and its continued commitment to the field, provides it with an ever-growing pipeline of fund structuring, fund establishment and regulatory authorisation instructions. Etain de Valera leads the team, which features the vastly experienced managing partner Donnacha O’Connor, Brian Higgins and Brian Kelliher. Brian Dillon specialises in representing Asia-based funds and Cillian Bredin and Derbhil O’Riordan are also senior members of the practice. Shane Coveney continues to make an impression.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Strong market experts - very well connected. Great communication skills and collaborative approach. ’

  • ‘Hard working, knowledgeable, people persons - keen to help, flexible and trustworthy.’

  • ‘A group where individuals clearly work with other partners in the firm as a team, with market leading industry knowledge, yet also commercial in their approach with clients. Further supported with good links into the Central Bank of Ireland when required.’

  • ‘Cillian Bredin has an in-depth knowledge of detailed regulations, yet also has a practical and commercial approach with his clients. Importantly, Cillian is a genuine, personable and fun guy to work with. Someone I also trust and respect immensely.’

  • ‘The advice was good, our points were all negotiated robustly and responses were prompt so we delivered on time. Also, when our lead lawyer took annual leave, another lawyer stepped in who was fully up-to-speed, so there was a seamless transition. The cost was also reasonable given the amount of work that went into the project.’

  • ‘Our lead lawyer was Alanna Hannon who did an excellent job at reviewing all of the documents, taking into account our comments, negotiating strongly on our behalf, being available for meetings or calls, sometimes out of normal office hours, and making sure that everything was achieved on time – really excellent work.’

Key clients

  • Anarosa Asset Management
  • Azimut
  • Architas
  • VanEck
  • Lancaster
  • Architas
  • AXA Rosenberg
  • Grayscale Advisors
  • ASK Capital Management Pte Limited
  • ADIT Capital Management LLC
  • Blantyre Capital Limited
  • Abakkus Asset Management
  • ENAM Asset Management Company Private Limited
  • Harrington Cooper Asset Management
  • Golub Capital Partners
  • Roundhill Investments
  • Pactum AG
  • Pacer Advisors
  • Baillie Gifford Investment Management (Europe)
  • Kirkoswald Asset Management
  • Fineco Asset Management
  • Infinity Asset Management
  • Ronit Partners LLP
  • Saranac Partners Limited
  • Green Investment Partners Limited
  • Alanna Homes
  • National Bank of Kuwait
  • Angelo Gordon
  • Aon
  • GenFunds
  • AXA Investment Managers
  • ANIMA
  • BNY Mellon Asset Management
  • Algebris (UK) Limited
  • Legal & General Investment Management
  • Mediolanum
  • Payden & Rygel
  • PIMCO
  • Societe Generale
  • Lone Star
  • C-Quadrat
  • Polar Capital
  • GAM
  • Golden Tree Asset Management
  • Fiera Capital
  • Fidelity
  • Waystone Management Company (IE)
  • Tenax Capital Limited
  • Gamma Capital Management (UK and Iceland)
  • Danske Bank
  • Kayne Anderson
  • Roundhill Capital
  • Roundshield Capital Partners
  • Twelve Capital
  • Trium Capital
  • BNP Paribas
  • Portfolio Advisors
  • Berkshire Partners
  • Ambienta SGR
  • Avendus
  • Motilal Oswal Capital
  • DSP Investment Managers
  • Capital Four Asset Management
  • Southeastern Asset Management
  • TOBAM
  • KBC Asset Management
  • Tokio Marine Asset Management
  • Bridge Fund Management
  • Brandes Investments
  • SPARX Asset Management
  • Nomura Asset Management

Work highlights

  • Advised Waystone Management Company (IE) on establishing a new platform QIAIF umbrella Irish collective-asset management vehicle (ICAV) with four new sub-funds.
  • Advised Azimut Holding on the commercial partnership for the establishment of an Irish asset management company, Nova Investment Management, and the distribution in Italy of Irish UCITS funds developed by the manager, and on the establishment and authorisation of the manager by the Central Bank of Ireland as a UCITS management company.
  • Advised VanEck on the establishment and structuring of six ETF products coming to market in Europe, including Europe’s first defence UCITS ETF.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
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Leading partners
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.

Etain de Valera

Other key lawyers

Donnacha O’Connor, Brian Dillon, Brian Higgins, Brian Kelliher, Cillian Bredin, Derbhil O’Riordan, Shane Coveney, Grace O’Connor, Colman O'Loghlen, Alanna Hannon, Hannah Fenlon