The international legal enterprise, Maples and Calder (Ireland) LLP, a part of the Maples Group, is delighted to disclose recent advancements within its Irish sector, with six senior legal professionals earning promotions. The firm is expanding its Irish partnership ranks with Aoife McDonagh, an expert in funds and investment management, and Joe O’Neill, a finance specialist, while Alex Walsh, Eoin O’Leary, Jennifer Dobbyn, and Richard O’Donoghue have all progressed to the role of ‘of counsel’.
The legal firm has swiftly expanded in the Irish market over the past 18 years, solidifying its standing as a forward-thinking pioneer in the industry. The company boasts a highly skilled, sector-knowledgeable team and is renowned for its client advice. In 2023, the firm garnered multiple industry commendations, with 39 of its associates, partners, and of counsel being recognised by trusted industry publications. The firm engages in an expansive range of areas, from financial services, tax, technology and ESG advisory to corporate, capital markets, aviation, banking, restructuring, regulatory, real estate, and private equity.
Reacting to the new appointments, Peter Stapleton, the Irish managing partner shared his congratulations on the new partners and of counsel, praising their dedication to the firm’s growth domestically and globally. In their new roles, he is confident they will be fundamental to the continued success of the organisation in Ireland and worldwide. This year, the company has strengthened its finance and funds and investment management arms in response to surging client demands for their cutting-edge legal advice.
Eighteen fresh partners and of counsel appointments were made in eight global locations, with a notable presence in European offices. Maples Group now has over 500 employees across two offices in Dublin, Ireland, and close to 3,000 staff members distributed over 16 offices worldwide.
Discussing the new partners and of counsel, Stapleton continued by stating Aoife McDonagh (further detail found in bio here) as one of the newly appointed partners.
In 2023, Aoife became an associate in the fund and investment management team of the firm. With her broad experience, she advises various funds and service providers on the creation, authorisation and operation of Irish investment funds, especially UCITS and QIAIFs. She also deals with fund service providers in relation to depositary, administration and other forms of service agreements. Since 2020, Aoife has been identified as a rising star in each IFLR1000 edition.
Enlisted as a partner of the company, Joe O’Neill became part of the finance team in 2020. With his robust knowledge, he advises domestic and international banks, private investors and corporate entities on a plethora of securitisation and financial market transactions, including leveraged debt capital markets and structured products.
Joining the asset finance team in 2016 as an associate, Alex Walsh has since been providing advice to operating lessors, financial institutions and private equity groups on multi-aircraft purchases and sales, debt finance and security related matters, PDP financing, and ABS transactions.
From 2018 to 2020, Eoin O’Leary, another associate of the asset finance team since 2016, was seconded to the office in Hong Kong. He has special expertise in aircraft finance and leasing advising operating lessors and financial institutions on aircraft acquisition, ECA financing and developing aircraft funding platforms along with ABS structures.
When Jennifer Dobbyn joined Maples Group as an intern in 2013, she was fresh, but by 2016 she had matured into an associate in the firm’s funds and investment management team. She manages regulation, along with the establishment and continued operation of all kinds of UCITS and AIFs encompassing funds of funds and various other formations. Jennifer also assists in regulating, setting up and operating AIFMs and UCITS management companies.
Richard O’Donoghue, the firm’s counsel, brings a wealth of expertise to the team as seen in his detailed bio.
In 2017, Richard became a member of the company’s funds and investment management team in the role of an associate. Richard is especially skilled in the field of sustainable finance and offers guidance to clients in implementing and complying with the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulations and Taxonomy Regulation. In addition, he frequently provides advice on constructing alternative strategies under the UCITS and QIAIF framework, as well as a broad range of fund financing transactions.