A&L Goodbody LLP continues to cement its position in asset management and investment funds. It has a wide-ranging practice and has further developed its standing in ESG and sustainability-related matters, having worked intensively in Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR) disclosures. Lorena Dunne joined the team from William Fry LLP in July 2023, providing extensive investment funds expertise and has an outstanding reputation in ESG matters, including SFDR. The firm remains at the forefront of ETFs, private equity and real estate funds, and is a growing force in investor-side representation. Stephen Carson is head of asset management and investment funds, having returned to Dublin after five years in the London office. Michael Barr has an outstanding reputation, with Kerill O’Shaughnessy also being highly rated. Brian McDermott left the practice in December 2023.

Arthur Cox has a sizeable asset management and investment funds team and a long track record in the area. The core group features seven specialist partners and three of counsels, along with a larger cohort of associates. The team has continued to expand its client base in the UCITS and alternative funds spaces, with extensive experience in ETFs and QIAIFs. It has a record of advising on the formation and authorisation of innovative structures and an array of market firsts, and is at the forefront of ESG matters including SFDR obligations. Kevin Murphy and Tara O’Reilly have huge reputations in the market, the latter for ETFs, and both co-head the asset management and investment funds group. Sarah Cunniff remains active in SFDR-related matters.

Dillon Eustace is an investment funds giant and has an immense history in the market. The team advises a huge market share of asset managers and Irish-domiciled funds. It is widely recognised for its expertise in UCITS and QIAIF funds and has furthered its reputation in ESG matters. Managing partner Donnacha O’Connor, a key member of the asset management and investment funds department, has a long track record in the sector, and has advised on a series of major recent funds, including credit fund structures and loan origination funds. Brian Higgins, Brian Kelliher, Cillian Bredin and Etain de Valera are also senior members of the team, along with Brian Dillon, who is noted for advising Asia-based clients. Shane Coveney impresses amongst the younger generation of partners. Shane Geraghty has left the firm.

Maples Group has an immense presence in Dublin, linking into its esteemed global practice, including full-service Irish funds teams in London, Hong Kong and the Cayman Islands. It has a giant team in Dublin and a huge client list to match. The team has advised on a substantial market share of Irish fund launches over the last decade, including a catalogue of new products and structures. It is a dominant force in ILP and ICAV authorisations and has led the field in direct lending and loan origination funds (LQIAIFs). The firm has a long list of ETF issuer clients and has made a further impression in crypto assets and SFDR matters. Adam Donoghue and Eimear O’Dwyer co-head the funds and investment management team. Ian Conlon leads the ESG and sustainable investing team, with John Gallagher also a senior member of the wider group.

Matheson LLP has the largest market share by assets under management. The group advises more than 1,200 Irish-domiciled funds, seven of the top 10 global promoters of Irish funds, and eight of the top 10 US asset managers. It is widely noted for representing clients in market firsts, such as the first Irish ETFs to track Paris-aligned benchmarks. The team is also at the forefront of SFDR and ESG-related funds. Tara Doyle is a leading figure in the market and is widely recognised for her leadership in ESG matters and investment limited partnerships. Dualta Counihan has an outstanding reputation, along with Shay Lydon and Catriona Cole.

McCann FitzGerald LLP has an intense focus on investment funds, especially the promotion and management of UCITS funds. Moreover, it has an established record in ETFs, hedge funds, structured products, and derivatives, as well as private equity, credit, and real estate funds. The team is also rated for its regulatory expertise, including SFDR compliance. Mark White is head of the investment management group and Iain Ferguson is another ‘exceptional lawyer'. Morgan Dunne is an impressive recently promoted partner, and Hugh Beattie has a key role in London.

William Fry LLP has an illustrious and fast-growing client base of global asset managers, as well as a sizeable market share of Irish-domiciled fund clients. It has a major presence in ETFs, private funds, regulatory and compliance matters, and the sustainable finance regime. The group has recently landed a series of big-ticket mandates from new clients including Colchester Global Investors and Gresham House. James Phelan, who impresses with his UCITS and regulatory knowledge, and Vincent Coyne co-head the funds practice, with John Aherne recognised for SFDR-related matters and Sergey Dolomanov continuing to stand out for his ETF expertise. Patricia Taylor leads the funds regulatory team, and Clodagh Ruigrok impresses at the senior associate level. Lorena Dunne has left the firm.

Dechert LLP has established a large and growing Dublin team that is part of its outstanding global practice. The group now provides a significant challenge to the Irish elite and can bring in international experts from around the globe on cross-border matters. It has built an extensive presence in UCITS and is now growing its reputation in private funds; counsel Dan Morrissey was hired from Akin‘s Hong Kong office to help achieve this. Carol Widger leads the Dublin team, which includes Declan O’Sullivan and Jeff Mackey . Ciara O’Leary remains noted for ESG matters and Mark Dillon for regulatory issues. Since publication, Emmet Quish left the firm.

K&L Gates LLP made a bold entry into the Irish market in January 2023 through a series of headline lateral hires. The firm has a major international network and presence in many of the world’s primary investment funds centres. The large senior team is active in fund structuring, licensing, and regulatory compliance and is also noted for fund mergers. The Dublin team has close links to US fund managers, along with UK and Asian managers. Gayle Bowen, who joined from Pinsent Masons LLP, is a leading name in cross-border fund mergers and migrations. Michelle Lloyd brings extensive Asia experience from her tenure at Maples Group‘s Hong Kong office, and Shane Geraghty, formerly of Dillon Eustace, is further noted for Cayman Islands fund products and is an experienced figure in private debt funds.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP has demonstrated a strong commitment to the UCITS field and has worked intensively in funds sector M&A and corporate reorganisations in the area. The firm has achieved further growth in AIFMD matters, private equity and venture capital. The investment funds team has an expanding client base, including leading asset managers. Conor Durkin is a prominent name in UCITS and hedge funds.

Walkers advises many of the largest global asset managers in the market, including hedge fund, private equity and private credit managers. The firm has an active presence in fund formation, including UCITS platforms, and especially private equity and private credit structures. It is further noted for licensing and regulatory matters and has gained further prominence in SFDR and other ESG requirements. Nicholas Blake-Knox heads the asset management and investment funds group, which includes Eimear Keane, Aongus McCarthy and Damian Barnaville. Emmet Quish was a new arrival in August 2024.

Eversheds Sutherland has cemented its position in product development and regulatory matters, including fund formation, the re-domiciliation of funds to Ireland, and M&A. With the firm’s extensive international network, the Dublin team frequently advises on cross-border funds matters.  Trevor Dolan joined the firm from LK Shields Solicitors LLP in February 2023 to deepen its bench of senior investment funds specialists. The group also continues to work on key industry trends such as ESG funds. Deborah Hutton has left the firm.

LK Shields Solicitors LLP has a long history in the investment funds sector, including the authorisation, launch, and ongoing operation of UCITS and AIF funds. The team has extensive knowledge of AIFMD, ICAV and ILP structures. David Naughton is now head of the team and former partner David Wiliams became a consultant in July 2023.