A&L Goodbody LLP‘s banking and finance team has great strength in depth, and fields extensive expertise in advising on a number of the largest property and development finance projects and loan portfolio sales in Ireland. The firm handles a steady workflow of high-value, complex instructions involving acquisition and leveraged finance, corporate lending, real estate finance, fund finance and sustainability-linked finance, to name a few areas. The client base includes corporates, sponsors, financial institutions, and private credit lenders. Head of general finance Peter Murray is a key practitioner, and Gillian McDonald is highly regarded for her expertise in loan portfolio sales. Other key lawyers include Seamus Ó’Cróinín, Maria McElhinney, Niamh McMahon and senior associate Lisa Tait. London-based partner Robbie O’Driscoll assists Irish entities with a wide spectrum of finance transactions.

Arthur Cox is a highly regarded firm in the banking and finance arena in Ireland. The practice continues to handle a high volume of real estate and development finance, funds finance, leveraged finance, project finance and corporate lending matters, and is at the forefront of ESG and sustainability-linked financings. Financial regulatory work is another key pillar of strength for the group. Orla O’Connor is a very highly regarded practitioner in the banking and finance practice, as are Kevin Lynch and David Molloy. Ciara Buckley is an emerging partner. Counsel Ed McDonagh and senior associate Ben Rayner are names to note.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP's large banking and finance practice has an excellent reputation for advising on loan portfolio sales and acquisitions, loan on loan deals, warehouse financing, real estate and development finance, and project finance. The firm is close to Irish pillar banks, international lenders, alternative lenders and a large number of borrower clients. The head of the financial services group, Neil Campbell, is a prominent name in loan portfolio sales, and Micheál Grace's workload includes loan on loan deals, real estate and warehouse financings, and distressed asset purchases. Cathy Grant is very experienced in corporate banking, and Karol Fox specialises in development finance matters. Following William Carmody‘s appointment as firm managing partner, Muireann Hernon now heads up the project finance team. Irene Nic Chárthaigh and Alan Burns are key names to note.

Matheson LLP is very highly regarded for its strength in handling debt restructurings, syndicated and bilateral loans, acquisition finance, sustainability-linked financings and loan portfolio sales. The team is regularly instructed by a solid client roster of international banks, domestic banks and financial institutions, as well as domestic and multinational companies, private equity houses and asset managers. Maireadh Dale, who co-heads the finance and capital markets department, has an excellent reputation for her experience in real estate finance, leveraged finance, corporate finance and asset finance. Patrick Molloy remains active in structured finance, securitisations, project finance, and general banking matters. David O’Mahony handles big-ticket financing mandates, and Paul Carroll has expertise in acquisition and leveraged finance and general corporate lending matters. Finnbahr Boyle made partner in January 2023; Donal O’Donovan and Michael Hastings have now left the firm.

McCann FitzGerald LLP's wide-ranging banking and finance practice takes in multi-layered financings, restructurings, and real estate and development finance matters, as well as assisting alternative lenders with entering into the Irish market. The firm continues to handle a high volume of fund finance matters, and has an expanding presence in the financial services regulatory sphere. The department has also seen a steady growth of work pertaining to ESG and sustainability-linked finance. Niall Powderly leads the corporate banking team, and has an excellent track record in advising pillar banks and international lenders on big-ticket financings. Josh Hogan leads the financial services regulatory group; Eamon de Valera focuses on fund finance and social and affordable housing financing matters; Philip Murphy has extensive experience in advising on hotel and development financings; and Stuart McCarron is an expert in real estate finance. Niall McDowell and Aidan Gleeson are singled out for their contributions.

William Fry LLP's practice has deep expertise in leveraged and acquisition finance, real estate finance, corporate lending and receivables finance, and has experienced growth in high-profile cross-border acquisition financings, alongside sustainability-linked financings and loan-on-loan deals. The department has established strength in handling real estate, technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, infrastructure and utilities, and insurance sector matters. Jason Hollis is highly regarded for handling financings in the technology sector, and Padraic Kinsella has established strength in assisting with corporate lending, real estate finance, acquisition finance and receivables finance. Cork-based partner Laura Houlihan, Ciarán Herlihy and David O’Shea are key practitioners. Lyn Brennan is now head of the firm’s New York office.

Addleshaw Goddard‘s banking and finance group has a solid reputation in the market. The practice has seen significant growth in financial services regulatory matters and energy and infrastructure finance. Real estate and social housing finance are key pillars of strength for the team, which has seen an uptick in work from borrower clients. The group maintains its strong links to lender clients, including Irish pillar banks. Practice head Ray Byrne is highly regarded for his expertise in real estate finance, leveraged finance, fund finance, asset-based lending and corporate lending. Erc Walsh is well known for advising on real estate and development finance, corporate lending and fund finance.

Real estate and housing finance transactions form the backbone of Beauchamps LLP's practice, with the team regularly acting for a large client base of banks, senior lenders, mezzanine lenders, hedge funds and developers. It also has a solid track record in advising on corporate lending, acquisition finance and debt restructurings. Practice head Daniel Cashman has an excellent reputation for assisting with real estate finance and loan portfolio transactions. Niall O’Brien is a key practitioner to note.

ByrneWallace LLP is home to an experienced team which remains at the forefront of social housing finance and alternative lending matters. Mark Kavanagh heads up the practice, and is well versed in advising on real estate finance and alternative lending issues. Deirdre McBennett has extensive expertise in handling social, affordable and cost rental housing finance, often acting as counsel to approved housing bodies and regulated funds. Lisa Cawley and consultant Clare O’Hare, who splits her time between Dublin and London, are key contacts for securitisations and structured finance mandates. Paraic O’Kennedy, Elizabeth Ryan and Triona Ryan are notable practitioners.

Dillon Eustace's large team has a strong track record in real estate finance, corporate lending and securitisation, as well as loan portfolio transactions. The group acts for banks and alternative lenders, and has strong links to the asset management space. The practice has noted capabilities in advising on real estate finance matters involving Irish funds and SPVs, and is equally adept at handling financial services regulatory issues. Conor Keaveny, Keith Robinson, John-Hugh Colleran and Mark Thorne are highly regarded practitioners, and emerging partner Conor Kiernan is a name to note.

Eversheds Sutherland‘s team continues to handle a steady workflow of real estate finance matters, including housing transactions, real estate funds and REITs issues. Project finance and corporate lending work are also key drivers of work for the group, which has a solid track record in representing large domestic and international banks, financial institutions, and alternative and specialised lenders. Piaras Power leads the practice; Darragh Blake is very well known for his expertise in real estate finance and commercial lending, and Steve Rodgers is sought after for advising on project finance, loan portfolio transactions and restructurings. Robert Potter-Cogan is singled out for his contributions.

Maples Group continues to handle a high volume of new money lending matters. The group has been kept busy advising on refinancings and amendments relating to real estate, acquisition and fund finance, and has seen an uptick in instructions involving debt funds, loan portfolio sales and receivables finance. The client base includes Irish pillar banks, financial institutions and large borrowers, including private equity houses. The practice is led by the triumvirate of Elizabeth Bradley, Sarah Francis and Alma O’Sullivan. Vanessa Lawlor made partner in January 2023.

Philip Lee LLP continues to expand its practice, handling a high volume of development finance, acquisition finance, project finance, media finance and regulatory matters. Under the leadership of Louis Burke, the team is well known for representing Irish pillar banks in matters, and is adept at advising alternative lenders, including lenders in the development finance space. Jonathan Kelly focuses on financing matters in the infrastructure, energy, media and real estate sectors. Simon O’Neill and Ruairí Mac Cumhaill are key practitioners to note.

RDJ LLP's team advises a range of borrowers and lenders, including Irish banks and alternative lenders, on mid-market transactions, including loan portfolio sales, acquisition and leveraged finance, development finance, and restructurings. The firm is also noted for its expertise in financial services regulatory matters. In the Cork office, Cian Fenton and Tom Fox are key practitioners, and Brian Quinn is a name to note in Dublin. Aisling O’Donovan made partner in January 2023.

Walkers' Dublin team leverages the firm's wider global network to assist with large cross-border financings, fund finance and structured finance work. The group has seen an increase in instructions from banks and funds operating in real estate finance, as well as advising on distressed transactions and loan portfolio deals. Co-head of the finance and capital markets group Andrew Traynor is hugely experienced in fund finance work, which is also a recognised area of expertise for Ian McNamee. Team co-head Noeleen Ruddy counts structured finance, non-performing loan sales and workouts as core strengths.

LK Shields Solicitors LLP is highly regarded for acting as counsel to Irish pillar banks, and is equally adept at assisting corporate borrowers with a range of banking and finance matters. The group also reports an uptick in instructions from alternative lenders. Under the leadership of Jenny Ahern, the team fields expertise in advising on acquisition finance, growth finance, property and development finance, trade finance and receivables finance. Simon Mahon and property finance expert Peter O’Reilly are also key figures in the practice.

Dentons Ireland LLP‘s banking and finance team is led by Peter O'Brien, who chairs the firm’s Dublin office and is a very highly regarded leveraged finance practitioner. The practice is regularly instructed by financial sponsors, international lenders and debt funds, and has a solid track record in handling aviation finance matters. Siobhan Carlin focuses on real estate and development finance, and Matthew Cahill is well known for advising on structured finance and securitisation.

Fieldfisher's Dublin office is best known for real estate and development finance matters, however the group has seen growth in work involving technology and renewable energy sector financings. The client base includes domestic and international lender entities, as well as borrowers. The team frequently acts as counsel to Home Building Finance Ireland on development finance matters pertaining to affordable and social housing developments. Breen Purcell has an excellent track record in handling property finance matters, and Feilim O’Caoimh focuses on corporate lending, leveraged finance and project finance. Paddy Smyth and Elaine Traynor are highly regarded for their expertise in real estate finance and project finance respectively. Director Aaron McGarry is singled out for his contributions.

Flynn O'Driscoll is a growing force in banking and finance. Led by Michael Hanley, the team regularly acts for a solid client base of borrower entities in matters, and is also adept at representing bankers and alternative lenders. Key areas of strength for the group include acquisition finance, development finance and real estate investment finance.

At Hayes Solicitors LLP, the banking and finance team assists corporate borrowers and Irish pillar banks with acquisition finance, development finance, real estate finance and corporate lending work. The firm is equally adept at advising Irish subsidiaries of multinational companies on finance matters. Practice head Tim Waghorn, who made partner in 2022, is 'exceptionally professional, knowledgeable and responsive'.

Holmes O'Malley Sexton is well versed in assisting Irish pillar banks, as well as other lender clients and an increasing number of corporate borrowers, with development finance matters. The practice is led by Limerick-based Lisa Killeen, who brings extensive expertise in handling property and development finance work.

Pinsent Masons LLP's Dublin office houses a team with a solid track record in handling a range of transactional matters. The banking and finance group is regularly instructed in refinancings, restructurings and new money engagements, and is equally strong in advising on loan portfolio sales, syndicated lending, bilateral loans, and acquisition, development and real estate finance. Ann Lalor heads up the practice.