The Maples Group has promoted six senior lawyers in Ireland
Over 500 people in Ireland and nearly 3,000 globally now work across the group's 16 international offices
Over the past 18 years, international law firm Maples and Calder (Ireland) LLP, the Maples Group's law firm, has grown rapidly in Ireland, earning a strong reputation for providing top-tier expertise and advice with deep sectoral and industry knowledge. Now, to further boost its growth, the company has announced the promotion of six of its senior lawyers in Ireland.
Aoife McDonagh (Funds & Investment Management) and Joe O'Neill (Finance) join the firm's growing Irish partnership while Alex Walsh, Eoin O'Leary (Finance), Jennifer Dobbyn and Richard O'Donoghue (Funds & Investment Management) have been promoted to Of Counsel positions. These appointments push the numbers of Partners in Ireland to an all-time high, with women representing 40% of the entire Irish partnership.
Commenting on the appointments, Peter Stapleton, Ireland Managing Partner, said: "I would like to congratulate our new Partners and Of Counsel on their appointments, which is a reflection of their commitment to our firm and clients, both domestic and international. Within their new roles, I have no doubt they will continue to play pivotal roles in the firm's on-going success here in Ireland and globally."
The two new Irish Partners bring considerable experience between them. Aoife McDonagh joined the firm's Funds & Investment Management team as an Associate in 2023. She acts for a wide range of funds and service providers and has extensive experience in advising on the establishment, authorisation and operation of all types of Irish investment funds, in particular, UCITS and QIAIFs. She was ranked as a 'Rising Star' in each of the IFLR1000 2022, 2021 and 2020 editions.
Joe O'Neill, the second new Partner, joined the firm's Finance team as an Associate in 2020. Joe has experience covering a broad range of leveraged debt capital markets, structured products and general financing transactions. He advises Irish and international banks, private investors, sponsors and corporate entities across a wide range of securitisation and financial market deals.
These appointments are further supported by the four Of Counsel appointments. Jennifer Dobbyn advises on the establishment, ongoing operation and regulation of all types of UCITS and AIFs. Eoin O'Leary advises on all aspects of aircraft finance and leasing and has particular experience in advising operating lessors and financial institutions on aircraft acquisitions and sales, debt financing aircraft, ECA financing, the establishment of aircraft funding platforms and ABS structures.
Alex Walsh advises operating lessors, lease managers, financial institutions and private equity groups on all aspects of aircraft finance and leasing. Richard O'Donoghue has particular expertise in the area of sustainable finance and advises clients in respect of the implementation and compliance with the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulations and the Taxonomy Regulation.
"As the leading international law firm in Ireland, we annually strengthen the depth of expertise in our core practice areas,” said Stapleton. “This year, we have enhanced our Finance and Funds & Investment Management groups in response to increased client demand for high-quality and often innovative legal advice in these particular areas. This follows promotions in Corporate, Tax and Dispute Resolution & Insolvency in recent years, ensuring that we provide the full service and specialty legal services our global clients expect."
Globally, 18 new Partners and Of Counsel were appointed in eight locations worldwide, with strong representation across the European offices. The Group now employs over 500 people in Ireland across two offices in Dublin, and nearly 3,000 globally across 16 international offices.
The company has enjoyed significant success in recent years. Leading industry journals ranked 39 of its Irish lawyers, including Partners, Of Counsels and Associates, while key deals spanned the areas of financial services, ESG advisory, corporate, tax, technology, capital markets, aviation, banking, restructuring, regulatory, banking, real estate and private equity.
