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Key contacts
Managing Partner: Stephen Holst
Quick facts
# Partners

98

# Other qualified practitioners

194

# Total number of lawyers

292

Languages

English, Cantonese, French, German, Irish, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish

Key practice areas
Banking and finance
Banking
Project finance
Capital markets
Capital markets : Debt
Capital markets : Equity
Capital markets : Structured finance and securitisation
Financial and corporate
Financial services regulatory
Investment funds
Corporate and M&A
Restructuring and insolvency
M&A
Project development
Asset finance
Firm overview

With almost 650 people, McCann FitzGerald LLP is one of Ireland’s premier law firms. We offer expert, forwardthinking legal counsel to clients in Ireland and internationally. The firm is a full-service firm, divided broadly into four main groupings of corporate, finance, disputes and real estate (including construction). We also operate industry sector and specialist practice groups which comprise professionals from different groupings.

Key practice areas
  • Asset finance
  • Banking
  • Capital markets: Debt
  • Capital markets: Derivatives
  • Capital markets: Equity
  • Capital markets: High yield
  • CLO/CDO
  • Competition
  • Covered bonds
  • Financial restructuring
  • Financial services regulatory
  • Hedge funds
  • Investment funds
  • M&A
  • PPP/PFI
  • Private equity
  • Private equity funds
  • Project bonds
  • Project development
  • Project finance
  • Real estate finance
  • Real estate funds
  • Restructuring and insolvency
  • Securitisation
  • Structured finance/securitisation
  • Trade finance

For more information click here.

Key practice contacts & recent matter highlights

Banking
Georgina O'Riordan
Georgina.ORiordan@mccannfitzgerald.com

Recent matter/case highlights:

  • Advised AerCap Holdings N.V. on all of its activity in the unsecured bond market (total US$3.45 billion) in the last year.
  • Acted for Phoenix Aviation and AIP Capital in connection with a $592 million term loan facility.
  • Assisted Ares Capital Management in connection with the $5.5 billion financing provided to Clearlake to acquire Dun & Bradstreet Holdings.

M&A
Brendan Murphy
Brendan.Murphy@mccannfitzgerald.com

Recent matter/case highlights:

  • Advised longstanding client, SMBC Aviation Capital, on its agreement with Sumitomo Corporation, Apollo and Brookfield to acquire Air Lease Corporation.
  • Advised Alkermes Pharmaceuticals plc on its acquisition of Avadel Pharmaceuticals plc.
  • Advised the Equitix and Baltic Cable AB consortium on a landmark agreement to acquire the Greenlink interconnector.

Disputes / Litigation
Michael Murphy
Michael.Murphy@mccannfitzgerald.com

Recent matter/case highlights:

  • Advising SMBC Aviation Capital, the world’s second largest aircraft lessor, in its c.US$1.76bn claim against its insurers (16 different insurers across multiple jurisdictions) for 36 aircraft lost in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, securing a landmark settlement.
  • Representing Bristol Myers Squibb in a number of related matters concerning its patent / Supplementary Protection Certificate protecting apixaban, the active ingredient in the anticoagulant product Eliquis, including the defence of a Commercial Court patent / SPC revocation action brought by Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland.
  • Advising tech unicorn Workhuman on all aspects of a complex shareholder dispute (media estimates value the claim at Stg£300m) before the Commercial Court involving FTSE-listed PE firm Intermediate Capital Group (ICG).
Sector expertise
  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Aviation
  • Automotive
  • Banking
  • Construction and materials
  • Consumer goods and services
  • Energy
  • Financial services
  • Fisheries and aquaculture
  • Food and beverage
  • Forestry
  • Gaming
  • Government and public policy
  • Healthcare
  • Industrials
  • Insurance
  • Investment management
  • Media
  • Mining
  • Natural resources
  • Oil and gas
  • Pharmaceutical and life sciences
  • Real estate
  • Social infrastructure
  • Technology and telecommunications
  • Tourism
  • Transport
  • Utilities

For more information click here.

Other offices

McCann FitzGerald
Tower 42, Level 38C
25 Old Broad Street
London EC2N 1HQ
United Kingdom
T: +44 20 7621 1000
E: hugh.beattie@mccannfitzgerald.com
W: www.mccannfitzgerald.com/contact/london

McCann FitzGerald (North America) LP
1 Rockefeller Plaza
30th Floor
New York NY 10020
United States
T: +1 646 952 6001
E: gary.mcsharry@mccannfitzgerald.com
W: www.mccannfitzgerald.com/contact/new-york

McCann FitzGerald
40 Square de Meeûs
1000 Brussels
Belgium
E: Inquiries@mccannfitzgerald.com
W: www.mccannfitzgerald.com/contact/brussels

Address:
Riverside One
Sir John Rogerson’s Quay
Dublin D02 X576
Tel:+353 1 829 0000 Fax:+353 1 829 0010 Email:Contact Us Web Address:https://www.mccannfitzgerald.com/
Rankings published in 2026
Asset finance
Tier 1
10 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&L Goodbody
15 practice areas
View full profile
Matheson LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
McCann FitzGerald LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Arthur Cox
15 practice areas
View full profile
Maples Group
16 practice areas
View profile
Mason Hayes & Curran
15 practice areas
View full profile
Walkers
12 practice areas
View full profile
William Fry
15 practice areas
View full profile

Notable

Dillon Eustace
14 practice areas
View full profile
Flynn O'Driscoll
3 practice areas
View full profile
Banking
Tier 1
27 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&L Goodbody
15 practice areas
View full profile
Arthur Cox
15 practice areas
View full profile
Mason Hayes & Curran
15 practice areas
View full profile
Matheson LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
McCann FitzGerald LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Maples Group
16 practice areas
View profile
William Fry
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 3

Byrne Wallace Shields
8 practice areas
View profile
Dillon Eustace
14 practice areas
View full profile
Eversheds Sutherland
5 practice areas
View profile
Walkers
12 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard
7 practice areas
View profile
BHSM LLP incorporating OBH Partners
4 practice areas
View full profile
Beauchamps Solicitors
7 practice areas
View profile
Dentons
5 practice areas
View full profile
Flynn O'Driscoll
3 practice areas
View full profile
Hayes solicitors
4 practice areas
View profile
Ogier
7 practice areas
View full profile
Philip Lee
6 practice areas
View profile
Ronan Daly Jermyn
5 practice areas
View profile

Notable

AMOSS Solicitors
3 practice areas
View profile
DLA Piper
3 practice areas
View profile
Gartlan Furey Solicitors
1 practice area
View profile
Holmes O’Malley Sexton
3 practice areas
View profile
Pinsent Masons
7 practice areas
View profile
Simmons & Simmons
3 practice areas
View profile
Taylor Wessing
2 practice areas
View profile
Capital markets : Debt
Tier 1
10 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&L Goodbody
15 practice areas
View full profile
Arthur Cox
15 practice areas
View full profile
Matheson LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
McCann FitzGerald LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Maples Group
16 practice areas
View profile
Mason Hayes & Curran
15 practice areas
View full profile
Walkers
12 practice areas
View full profile
William Fry
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 3

Dillon Eustace
14 practice areas
View full profile

Notable

Ogier
7 practice areas
View full profile
Capital markets : Equity
Tier 1
8 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&L Goodbody
15 practice areas
View full profile
Arthur Cox
15 practice areas
View full profile
McCann FitzGerald LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Mason Hayes & Curran
15 practice areas
View full profile
Matheson LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
William Fry
15 practice areas
View full profile

Notable

Byrne Wallace Shields
8 practice areas
View profile
Maples Group
16 practice areas
View profile
Capital markets : Structured finance and securitisation
Tier 1
10 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&L Goodbody
15 practice areas
View full profile
Arthur Cox
15 practice areas
View full profile
Maples Group
16 practice areas
View profile
Matheson LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
McCann FitzGerald LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
Walkers
12 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Dillon Eustace
14 practice areas
View full profile
Mason Hayes & Curran
15 practice areas
View full profile
William Fry
15 practice areas
View full profile

Notable

Ogier
7 practice areas
View full profile
Financial services regulatory
Tier 1
12 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&L Goodbody
15 practice areas
View full profile
Arthur Cox
15 practice areas
View full profile
Matheson LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
McCann FitzGerald LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
William Fry
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Dillon Eustace
14 practice areas
View full profile
Maples Group
16 practice areas
View profile
Mason Hayes & Curran
15 practice areas
View full profile
Walkers
12 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 3

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader
2 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Addleshaw Goddard
7 practice areas
View profile
Byrne Wallace Shields
8 practice areas
View profile
Investment funds
Tier 1
15 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&L Goodbody
15 practice areas
View full profile
Arthur Cox
15 practice areas
View full profile
Dillon Eustace
14 practice areas
View full profile
Maples Group
16 practice areas
View profile
Matheson LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
McCann FitzGerald LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Walkers
12 practice areas
View full profile
William Fry
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 3

Dechert
2 practice areas
View profile
Mason Hayes & Curran
15 practice areas
View full profile
Simmons & Simmons
3 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Byrne Wallace Shields
8 practice areas
View profile
K&L Gates
1 practice area
View profile
Ogier
7 practice areas
View full profile
Pinsent Masons
7 practice areas
View profile
M&A
Tier 1
25 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&L Goodbody
15 practice areas
View full profile
Arthur Cox
15 practice areas
View full profile
Matheson LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
McCann FitzGerald LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
William Fry
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Maples Group
16 practice areas
View profile
Mason Hayes & Curran
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 3

Beauchamps Solicitors
7 practice areas
View profile
Byrne Wallace Shields
8 practice areas
View profile
Dentons
5 practice areas
View full profile
Dillon Eustace
14 practice areas
View full profile
Hayes solicitors
4 practice areas
View profile
Walkers
12 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard
7 practice areas
View profile
Eversheds Sutherland
5 practice areas
View profile
Flynn O'Driscoll
3 practice areas
View full profile
Philip Lee
6 practice areas
View profile

Tier 5

BHSM LLP incorporating OBH Partners
4 practice areas
View full profile
Pinsent Masons
7 practice areas
View profile
Ronan Daly Jermyn
5 practice areas
View profile

Notable

DLA Piper
3 practice areas
View profile
Lavelle Partners LLP
4 practice areas
View profile
Ogier
7 practice areas
View full profile
Taylor Wessing
2 practice areas
View profile
Whitney Moore
1 practice area
View profile
Project development
Tier 1
10 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&L Goodbody
15 practice areas
View full profile
Arthur Cox
15 practice areas
View full profile
Mason Hayes & Curran
15 practice areas
View full profile
Matheson LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
McCann FitzGerald LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
William Fry
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Beauchamps Solicitors
7 practice areas
View profile
Philip Lee
6 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Dentons
5 practice areas
View full profile
Pinsent Masons
7 practice areas
View profile
Project finance
Tier 1
10 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&L Goodbody
15 practice areas
View full profile
Arthur Cox
15 practice areas
View full profile
Matheson LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
McCann FitzGerald LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
William Fry
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Mason Hayes & Curran
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 3

Beauchamps Solicitors
7 practice areas
View profile
Eversheds Sutherland
5 practice areas
View profile
Philip Lee
6 practice areas
View profile

Notable

Pinsent Masons
7 practice areas
View profile
Restructuring and insolvency
Tier 1
21 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

A&L Goodbody
15 practice areas
View full profile
Arthur Cox
15 practice areas
View full profile
Matheson LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
McCann FitzGerald LLP
15 practice areas
View full profile
William Fry
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Maples Group
16 practice areas
View profile
Mason Hayes & Curran
15 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 3

Beauchamps Solicitors
7 practice areas
View profile
Byrne Wallace Shields
8 practice areas
View profile
Dillon Eustace
14 practice areas
View full profile
Walkers
12 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 4

Addleshaw Goddard
7 practice areas
View profile
BHSM LLP incorporating OBH Partners
4 practice areas
View full profile
Eversheds Sutherland
5 practice areas
View profile
Ronan Daly Jermyn
5 practice areas
View profile

Notable

AMOSS Solicitors
3 practice areas
View profile
Brady Kilroy Solicitors
1 practice area
View profile
Dentons
5 practice areas
View full profile
Hayes solicitors
4 practice areas
View profile
Lavelle Partners LLP
4 practice areas
View profile
Pinsent Masons
7 practice areas
View profile
Linked Reviews
Financial and corporate

The origins of McCann FitzGerald date back to 1947 in Dublin, but the firm has expanded internationally and now also has branches in Brussels, London and New York from which it advises on Irish law.  

 

Highlights 

 

 

The firm provides high-quality legal advice across a range of practice areas on the Irish market, with key strengths in asset and structured finance, M&A and projects.   

In the M&A Irish market, the firm acted as legal adviser for Kerry Co – Operative Creameries in its 500 million Euro acquisition of Kerry Dairy Ireland. The large scale spin off  involves the Co – Ip acquiring an initial 70% stake in Kerry Dairy Ireland and the option to purchase the remaining 30% later. The sale grants Co – Op the ability to expand its brand globally.  

In capital markets debt, a novel highlight includes the firms advise to BASF Ireland DAC for its debut ‘Panda’ bond issuance. The firm advised on Irish law matters in connection to the RMB 2 billion three year Panda Bond. This was the first Panda Bond issued by an Irish issuer.  

 

Testimonials 2025

 

“The wide range of legal expertise's they offer over numerous departments and the knowledge they have about the industry we work in. The high standard of their work and their staff's wiliness to always help and answer calls and questions.” - Banking lending  

“Consistently deliver quality advice to the highest standard, high level of partner involvement, commercial approach and value for money” - Bank lending  

“The advice and support are of high quality and the team offer top class capabilities. The team collaborates effectively and advises on complex issues quickly” - Banking  

“The team are excellent and very responsive, considering they have other clients. We rely on their advice with confidence. Our queries are very broad-ranging but they are equipped to answer all such questions. They have a very personable manner of interaction.” - Banking and finance 

“Their people. top lawyers. get deals done. commercial outlook. deliver their clients' objectives” - Banking and finance 

“Dedication, knowledge, and business mindset” - Investment funds 

“The team that we work with at McCann Fitzgerald are very knowledgeable and are willing to work to tight timelines to ensure we can meet client expectations. They are also very responsive on all queries and make themselves available for calls, oftentimes at short notice.” - Investment funds 

“Ben Gaffikin and his team from McCann FitzGerald are professional in their dealings with us and with the relevant counterpart, commercially focused and provide timely, concise and comprehensible advice. They leverage their extensive experience in providing solutions.” - M&A 

“The team were on top of their game, extremely committed to the transaction, there were a number of complex issues that the target was not up front about and they worked through them and negotiated a successful outcome.” - M&A 

“Breadth of knowledge and experience, practical advice and availability” - M&A 

Clear, plain English advice, providing pros and cons for potential options.” - Project development Infrastructure

“Their individuals are specialised in the different areas that we require e.g. property, construction, conveyancing and therefore we are confident that they represent our best interests.” - Project development

“McCann FitzGerald are a high quality full service law firm, that have expertise across the board, which means they can cater to all our needs in-house without any drop in quality. Their lawyers are highly informed on the latest industry practices, and are pragmatic when working on transactions. They are personally down to earth and easy to work with.” - Project finance 

"Very professional & patient, kept the deal on track and dealt with unexpected issues as they arose." - Garreth O'Brien 

"He has a deep knowledge of the funds sector and an impressive ability to tackle challenges with ease and provide customised solutions. He really understood our commercial requirements and know how to craft smart, practical solutions. He is very good with clients, easy to get along with, but also very responsive and knowledgeable." - Iain Ferguson 

"Jamie has a great way helping you understanding construction documents in a non legal way. His approach and knowledge of the construction industry is fantastic." - Jamie McGee

"No question Jack can't answer! Very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience in M&A but also gives very practical advice. Very responsive (like the rest of the team) and a pleasure to work with." - Jack Kelly 

"Rachel provided efficient legal support and advice in relation to a recent debt programme update. Her commitment to guiding the transaction to successful completion was unwavering and we had a direct line of communication with her at all times. Her responsiveness and attention to detail was an asset to the transaction." - Rachael Cosgrove 

Key clients 

Among its clients in finance work are AerCap Holdings, Genesis Aviation Services, Nordic Aviation Capital, Scandinavian Airlines, SMBC Aviation Capital, Allied Irish Bank, The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland, Deutsche Bank, Marlet Property Group and Bain Capital. 

Among its clients in capital markets are Allied Irish Banks, Electricity Supply Board, Kingspan Group, Andorra Banc Agricol Reig, Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Ireland, Investcorp, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, Avenue Europe Management, Greencoat Renewables and Kenmare Resources. 

In financial services regulatory key clients include Allied Irish Bank, MetLife Group, Irish Life, Great West Life Co, Close Brothers and Irish league of Credit Unions. 

Among its investment funds clients are Brookfield Asset Management, UBS, Julius Baer, Willis Towers Watson and Irish Life (part of WestCo) 

Among its clients in M&A are Allied Irish Banks, WestRock, ESB, Vodafone Ireland and Cordiant Digital Infrastructure 

Among its clients in project development are Transport Infrastructure Ireland, National Transport Authority, Housing Infrastructure Services Designated Activity Company, Bord na Móna/ESB (Joint Venture) and FuturEnergy Ireland. 

Among its clients in restructuring and insolvency are Central Bank of Ireland, Bank of Ireland, EY, KPMG and Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale, London Branch. 

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Deal Highlights
38 results38 results
Deal Name Deal Date Firm Name Jurisdiction Deal Type Lawyer Names Client Names Client Role
Allied Irish Banks - Project finance
2020-05-01
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Project finance
Stuart Mccarron
Allied Irish Banks
Lender
Global Student Accommodation - Financing
2020-01-01
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Financing
Tom Dane
Global Student Accommodation
Borrower
Relm Loan Opportunities 3 DAC - Financing
2020-10-30
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Financing
Philip Murphy
Relm Loan Opportunities 3 DAC
Lender
Irish Residential Properties REIT PLC - Financing
2020-03-10
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Financing
Stuart Mccarron
Irish Residential Properties REIT PLC
Borrower
Lioncor - Project finance
2020-06-01
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Project finance
Philip Murphy
Lioncor
Borrower
AIB Mortgage Bank - Securitisation
2020-12-01
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Securitisation
Fergus Gillen
AIB Mortgage Bank
Issuer
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment - Financing
2020-04-09
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Financing
Fergus Gillen
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Guarantor
UBS Wealth Management - Fund formation
2022-02-24
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Fund formation
Iain Ferguson
UBS Wealth Management
Sponsor
SSEF Energy Efficiency Designated Activity Company - Securitisation
2022-07-02
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Securitisation
Hugh Beattie
SSEF Energy Efficiency Designated Activity Company
Issuer
Peal Capital Partners Group - Fund formation
2022-01-01
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Fund formation
Mark White, Ben Gaffikin
Peal Capital Partners Group
Sponsor
Nomura International plc - Bond issue
2022-02-24
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Bond issue
Fergus Gillen
Nomura International plc
Issuer
Metzler Ireland Limited - M&A
2022-05-31
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
M&A
Mark White, Ben Gaffikin, Anna Moran, Adam Finlay, Stephen Holst
Metzler Ireland Limited
Seller
Macquarie Capital Limited - Project finance
2022-02-24
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Project finance
Colm Fanning, Stephen Proctor, Kevin Kelly
Macquarie Capital Limited
Lender
Emerald Technology Ventures - Fund formation
2022-01-14
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Fund formation
Iain Ferguson
Emerald Technology Ventures
Sponsor
Great West LifeCo; Irish Life Assurance plc; Irish Life Financial Services dac - Joint venture
2022-02-24
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Joint venture
Darragh Murphy, Alan Fuller
Great West LifeCo, Irish Life Assurance plc, Irish Life Financial Services dac
Joint venture partner
Andorra Banc Agrícol Reig SA; AB Financial Products DAC - Bond issue
2022-02-24
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Bond issue
Fergus Gillen
Andorra Banc Agrícol Reig SA, AB Financial Products DAC
Issuer
Allied Irish Banks plc - M&A
2022-02-24
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
M&A
Josh Hogan, Adrian Farrell, Aidan Lawlor
Allied Irish Banks plc
Acquirer
Housing Finance Agency - Project finance
2022-02-24
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Ireland
Project finance
Colm Fanning, Emily Mac Nicholas
Housing Finance Agency
Lender
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