Our Banking & Financial Services Department is acknowledged as a leader in the Irish market and provides legal and regulatory advice to domestic and international financial institutions, NAMA, corporates, issuers, treasury vehicles, arrangers, dealers, monolines, rating agencies and governmental bodies, in a broadly-based department, known for its detailed market knowledge. As well as having a very strong domestic practice, we act for a significant number of international financial services firms and work on many international high profile and intellectually demanding transactions.
Areas of Expertise include:
We are consistently ranked in the top tier of Irish advisers for Banking & Financial Services work by leading directories including Chambers Global and the Legal 500 EMEA.
Our Banking & Financial Service team is supported by our other Departments to ensure effective and efficient delivery of solutions-focussed advice.
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
Allied Irish Banks plc and KBC Bank Ireland plc on facilities to the Fleming Group related to the mixed use residential and office site at Sandyford
Ardagh Glass Finance plc on of its offering of €300m First Priority Senior Secured Loan Notes due 2016 and its offering 8.75% of €180m Senior Notes due 2020. Ardagh Glass plc is a major European glass container manufacturer that supplies companies such as Heineken and Coca Cola
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
ETF Securities Limited on the establishment of their initial platform of swap based ETFs
ING Reinsurance Company International Limited on their letter of credit facilities
INEOS Group Limited in relation to the reorganisation of its financing arrangements
J&E Davy on its €250m MBO from Bank of Ireland
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 its subsequent reorganisation in advance of the sale of Jury's Inns
Leargas Consortium (Barclays Private Equity, Michael McNamara & Co and GSE (the UK Prison operator) on the Thornton Hall Prison PPP project, a project for the design, build, part operation and maintenance of a state of the art prison facility
Merrion Capital Group Limited on the part financing for its MBO of an 84% stake in Merrion Capital Group Limited from Landsbanki Islands hf
SCOR on the Atlas VI Capital Limited CAT Bond
Smurfit Kappa on a €100m senior debt buyback by reverse Dutch Auction
Stanley Black & Decker Corporation on its European Treasury Operations
University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre (UPMC) on its acquisition of a majority stake in Beacon Medical Group Limited involving the Beacon Hospital Sandyford
Waterford Wedgwood plc on its receivership, asset sale and unwinding
We are consistently ranked as one of the leading Banking & Financial Services law firms in Ireland.
Department
"The team provides complete asset finance solutions in an effective and timely manner."
Chambers Europe, 2013 - Banking & Finance
'The banking team at William Fry continues to occupy a prominent place in the Irish market.'
Chambers Europe, 2012 - Banking & Finance
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 practice is "praised for its strong market reputation, excellent long established working relationships and proven track record."
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - Banking & Finance
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
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 is 'a lawyer with gravitas and good connections, experienced in cross-border mandates.'
Chambers Global, 2013 - Banking & Finance
'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 has substantial experience within domestic and international banking and finance.
Chambers Global, 2010 – Banking & Finance
Rachel Stanton
Rachel Stanton is described as ‘very commercial, efficient and knowledgeable’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2013 - Banking & Finance
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
Paul Murray
"Paul Murray is especially well reputed for life and non-life risk securitisations, derivative transactions and issues arising in the context of custodial services and asset management activities."
Chambers Europe, 2011
Paul Murray is an "expert in SPV requirements".
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010