William Fry has a leading M&A Group and we have an associated reputation for advising on all aspects of acquisition and leveraged finance.  Our unsurpassed experience is gained from years of involvement in the most challenging and complex transactions in Ireland and in international transactions with Irish aspects.  Our banking lawyers work as part of a multi-disciplinary team supporting our corporate lawyers in advising on the financing options for M&A deals including syndicated senior debt, mezzanine debt, bridge finance, PIK debt, bridge to-bond financing, senior secured notes and subordinated debt and equity options.

Our experience includes advising:

Aergo Capital Limited on its funding for the acquisition of Safair (Proprietary) Limited and Safair Lease Finance Proprietary Limited, a South African aviation leasing company.  The transaction saw Aergo take control of 33 aircraft in the Safair aircraft-leasing division and lease a further 9 planes from the parent company

JDH Acquisitions in relation to its initial borrowing of €1.3bn of acquisition finance in order to fund the take – private of the Jurys Doyle Hotel Group and the subsequent reorganisation to separate the Jurys Inns business prior to its sale

Duke Street on the restructuring of the Payzone Group, Europe’s largest consumer payments acceptance network, in conjunction with the senior debt funders to the Payzone Group resulting in Duke Street acquiring a controlling interest in the Payzone Group, a substantial senior debt write down and the syndicate lenders becoming shareholders in the restructured group

J & E Davy on its €250m MBO from Bank of Ireland

Merrion Capital Group Limited on the part financing for its MBO of an 84% stake in Merrion Capital Group Limited from Landsbanki Islands hf

University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre (UPMC) on its acquisition of a majority stake in Beacon Medical Group Limited involving the Beacon Hospital Sandyford

We are consistently ranked as one of the leading Banking & Financial Services law firms in Ireland.

Department

'The banking team at William Fry continues to occupy a prominent place in the Irish market.'
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Banking & Finance

Sources say: 'William Fry is fabulous. It understands the issues clients face and ensures transactions progress smoothly.'
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Corporate/M&A

William Fry’s ten-partner group constitutes "a very experienced team" of "good negotiators" that "goes well beyond normal client service expectations".
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Banking & Finance

William Fry’s "first-class" team is capable of "devising and delivering a solution" that clients are happy with.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Corporate & Commercial

William Fry's practice is "praised for its strong market repuation, excellent long established working relationships and proven track record."
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - Banking & Finance

William Fry’s team displays an "unrivalled range of skills", and has a "commerciality and pragmatism that is invaluable". 
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - Corporate & Commercial

William Fry is ‘attentive to needs’ and scores points for its "in-depth knowledge and practical application" and its "excellent access to partners". 
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010  - Banking & Finance

William Fry’s Corporate/M&A group has a loyal client following and handles many of the market’s top deals…The firm has a strong international pedigree, having developed close relationships with top London law firms and US outfits.  Sources say: “William Fry has top-quality individuals who focus entirely on achieving their clients' goals.” “The firm suits the needs of clients perfectly with its incredibly dynamic corporate practice.”
Chambers Global, 2010 – Corporate/M&A

William Fry has an "unmatched ability to understand business objectives", winning particular praise for its M&A and competition practices.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – Corporate & Commercial

Team

Elaine Hanly
Elaine Hanly 'has an impressive track record and wins the admiration of her peers.'
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Banking & Finance

Elaine Hanly is "highly regarded for her varied expertise". 
Chambers Global 2011 - Banking & Finance

Team head Elaine Hanly ‘guides you through the instruction with military precision'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010  - Banking & Finance

Elaine Hanly is the group’s leading figure. Her extremely broad practice is complemented by her expertise in structured finance, derivatives, securitisation and debt capital markets.
Chambers Global, 2010 – Banking & Finance

Orla Brennan
'Orla Brennan handles a broad range of banking and finance work for an impressive client base.'
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Banking & Finance

Orla Brennan is highlighted for her "all-round excellence".
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Banking & Finance

Sources hail Orla Brennan's dedication to her work and her ability to convey the most complicated legal technicalities in a clear and understandable way.
Chambers Global 2011 - Banking & Finance

Orla Brennan "goes above and beyond the call of duty," according to clients, who also praise her negotiating skills and ability to "communicate the key points in a simple manner."
Chambers Europe, 2011 - Banking & Finance

Orla Brennan is ‘particularly good’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010  - Banking & Finance

Orla Brennan has substantial experience within domestic and international banking and finance.
Chambers Global, 2010 – Banking & Finance

Rachel Stanton
Rachel Stanton is highlighted for her "all-round excellence".
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Banking & Finance

Rachel Stanton is picked out by clients as ‘highly experienced, quick to respond, commercial in her view and excellent to work with’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - Banking & Finance

Owen O'Connell
Owen O’Connell is 'a force to be reckoned with'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Corporate & Commercial

The 'superb' Owen O’Connell is 'one of the very top lawyers in Ireland'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - Corporate & Commercial

Owen O'Connell is praised as 'outstanding and resilient' and is 'the leading light of the Irish market'.
Chambers Global, 2010 – Corporate/M&A

Bryan Bourke
Bryan Bourke wins enthusiastic praise from clients, who say 'he is shrewd, strategic and understands our business. He always makes sure we avoid pitfalls and that all eventualities are covered.'
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Corporate/M&A

Bryan Bourke is a 'very commonsense, switched-on lawyer'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - Corporate & Commercial

Bryan Bourke wins enthusiastic praise from clients, who say: “He is shrewd, strategic and understands our business. He always makes sure we avoid pitfalls and that all eventualities are covered.”
Chambers Global, 2012 - Corporate/M&A

Bryan Bourke has "the most superb business focus," and his advice "goes straight to the heart of the matter."
Chambers Global, 2010 – Corporate/M&A

Bryan Bourke, who "keeps one step ahead of the trends".
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – Corporate & Commercial