A&L Goodbody LLP‘s ‘extremely knowledgeable‘ transport practice spans the aviation, shipping, road and rail sectors. The firm is renowned for its prowess in aviation finance, where Marie O’Brien, Séamus Ó Cróinín, Maria McElhinney, who returned to the Dublin office in June 2023, and new partner Keith Mulhern advise many of the market’s key players on the acquisition, leasing and financing of aircraft. Vincent Power SC is the main contact for shipping matters, with an emphasis on EU law advice and litigation. Conor Owens and Jamie Rattigan, who also recently joined the partnership ranks, are currently advising on high-profile transport infrastructure projects, particularly in the rail sector.
Transport in Ireland
A&L Goodbody LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Marie O’Brien; Vincent Power SC; Conor Owens
Autres avocats clés:
Séamus Ó Cróinín; Maria McElhinney; Enda O’Keeffe; Keith Mulhern; Jamie Rattigan
Les références
‘Great team.’
‘Vincent Power stands out. He is the number one in Ireland.’
‘A&L Goodbody has the best transport practice – they are extremely knowledgeable on the most complex Irish law issues.’
Principaux clients
AASET 2022-1 Limited and AASET 2022-1 LLC
ASL Aviation Holdings Designated Activity Company
daa
Griffin Global Asset Management
High Ridge Aviation Limited
Irish Aviation Authority
Irish Ferries
Macquarie AirFinance Holdings Limited
MAN SE and MAN Truck & Bus Deutschland GmbH
Palm Capital
PIMCO LLC
Qatar National Bank, London branch
Seraph Aviation Group Ltd
The European Investment Bank
Timisoara International Airport
Transport Infrastructure Ireland
Volkswagen Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Transport Infrastructure Ireland on the procurement and construction of the new MetroLink project, valued at over €3,500,000,000.
- Advising Macquarie Airfinance Group as Irish counsel on the acquisition and financing aspects of a portfolio of 53 aircraft from Alafco Aviation Lease & Finance Co.
- Advising Irish Ferries on the first-ever preliminary reference from across the European Union to the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning the Maritime Passenger Rights Regulation (Regulation 1177/2010).
Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox fields a ‘highly skilled and proficient‘ transport team which advises leading clients in the aviation, rail, road and shipping sectors on a wide range of finance, regulatory, projects, procurement and litigation matters. Practice head Aaron Boyle is widely recognised for his experience of handling project finance, procurement and PPP mandates across the transport sector, while Niamh McGovern is also a key figure for transport infrastructure projects with growing expertise in electric vehicle charging regulations. In the aviation sector, the team is also well regarded for its strength in complex financing transactions, acting for airlines, banks and aircraft leasing companies; the ‘excellent‘ Ruth Lillis and Fintan Kerins are the names to note here.
Responsables de la pratique:
Aaron Boyle
Autres avocats clés:
Niamh McGovern; Ruth Lillis; Fintan Kerins
Les références
‘The practice is very client driven and works on multiple projects at once with complete professionalism, collaboration and dedication.’
‘The lawyers are the best in their field – highly skilled and proficient.’
‘Very capable, partner-led aviation team. They have a can-do attitude and are very responsive.’
Principaux clients
Acia Aero Capital
Aer Lingus
Air Europa
Alstom UK
Applegreen plc
Apollo Management
Applus
Arena Aviation Capital
Aviator Capital
Avic
AviLease
Bank of Communications
Bank of Ireland
BNP Paribas
Bramora Ltd.
Bremore Port
Celtic Roads Group
China Construction Bank (CCB)
China Merchant Bank
Commerzbank
Credit Suisse
Cubic Transportation Systems Limited
daa plc
European Investment Bank
Flexam Invest
GA Telesis LLC
Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)
Keolis UK
Lobo Leasing
Lufthansa
M50 Concessions
Ryanair
Shannon Airport Group
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Ryanair plc on its €750 million unsecured revolving credit facility.
- Advising Celtic Roads Group on all aspects of the financing, operation and maintenance of three PPP road projects: the M1, The M7/M8 and the N25.
- Advised Apollo Global Management on the provision of a US$700m debtor-in-possession facility to SAS – Scandinavian Airlines as part of the airline’s Chapter 11 restructuring.
Matheson LLP
Matheson LLP stands out for its ‘immense strength and depth‘ in the transport sector, with a sizeable cross-departmental group that works alongside the firm’s transportation tax team to advise on aviation, shipping, road and rail matters. The firm houses a particularly strong offering in the aviation sector, where Rory McPhillips, Stuart Kennedy, Yvonne McWeeney and Stephen Gardiner are frequently called upon to handle complex financial transactions in addition to providing M&A and regulatory advice; the team is also experienced in the financing of rail and shipping assets. In the transport infrastructure space, Nicola Dunleavy SC, Garret Farrelly and Rhona Henry advise on planning and environmental, projects and construction issues, respectively.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rory McPhillips; Stuart Kennedy; Nicola Dunleavy SC; Garret Farrelly; Rhona Henry
Autres avocats clés:
Connor Blennerhassett
Les références
‘The Matheson team is approachable with strong aviation knowledge. I enjoy working with them on transactions – their client focus makes transaction run smoothly and efficiently.’
‘It is very apparent to the client that Stuart Kennedy, Yvonne McWeeney, Stephen Gardiner and Rory McPhillips actively work together to support each other to ensure that all deals are properly serviced and executed. I always feel when working with the team that there is a partner available to advise or support on any issue which we may have.’
‘Industry profile, knowledge and experience, combined with responsiveness and service orientation, makes the Matheson team stand out from their peers.’
Principaux clients
FTAI Aviation
Aergo Capital Limited
Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA
CDB Aviation
UK Export Finance (UKEF)
CCB Aviation
Aviation Capital Group
AerCap
Castlelake, L.P.
LR AirFinance
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE)
Arctic Aviation Assets DAC
PK AirFinance
Jackson Square Aviation
Tokyo Century
Fortress Investment Group LLC
Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES)
Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (BoComm Leasing)
CMB Financial Leasing (CMB Aviation)
Azorra Aviation
Irving Oil Company Limited
Exolum Corporation, S.A.
Drogheda Port Company
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for ALAFCO on the sale to Macquarie of 53 current and next-generation commercial passenger aircraft and an order for 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (valued at USD 2.2bn).
- Acting on an information barrier basis using two teams to advise Azorra Aviation and Voyager Aviation Holdings, LLC on the purchase by Azorra of substantially all of Voyager Aviation’s assets.
- Advising Drogheda Port Company on the development of a new deep-water multi-modal port near Balbriggan, North Dublin.
McCann FitzGerald LLP
The multi-disciplinary transport team at McCann FitzGerald LLP is equipped to provide ‘exceptionally tailored‘ advice to clients throughout the sector, with notable expertise in advising state authorities on procurement, contractual and financing matters relating to bus and rail services and road infrastructure. The firm also has an impressive offering in the aviation sphere, where it is particularly well regarded for its ability to act as lead counsel on complex aviation finance deals. Catherine Deane, Hilary Marren, Georgina O’Riordan, Joe Fay, Richard Gill, Ian Payne and Laura Deignan are among the names to note for aircraft financing and leasing, while practice head Eamonn O’Hanrahan and Liane Egan frequently advise on public transport projects.
Responsables de la pratique:
Eamonn O’Hanrahan
Autres avocats clés:
Catherine Deane; Hilary Marren; Joe Fay; Georgina O’Riordan; Colm Fanning; Richard Gill; Laura Deignan; Ian Payne; Liane Egan
Les références
‘I find McCann FitzGerald’s knowledge of the industry to be of a high level. They give clients confidence in the advice they give.’
‘Laura Deignan in particular is very responsive and has great communication skills – she is simply fantastic.’
‘The team led by Catherine Deane, Georgina O’Riordan, Laura Deignan and Ian Payne is technically excellent.’
Principaux clients
Transport Infrastructure Ireland
National Transport Authority
Road Safety Authority
Galway County Council
Abelo Capital Aviation Management Limited
AerCap
AerDragon Aviation Partners Limited
AerSale Inc.
Aircastle Advisor LLC
Altavair/Guggenheim
Altitude Investors DACf
Apollo Global Management
ASL Aviation
Avia Solutions Group (ASG) PLC
Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi
BBAM Aviation Services Limited
BOC Aviation Leasing
Calliston GmbH & Co. Beteiligungs KG
Cavic Aviation Leasing (Ireland) Co. DAC
CDB Aviation Leasing
Challey Limited
CHC Group LLC
CIAF Leasing
Credit Agricole
Delaware Life Insurance Company
Deutsche Bank AG
Development Bank of Singapore Ltd
DNB Bank ASA
Doric Asset Finance GmbH & Co. KG
DVB Bank SE
Dynam Japan Holding Holdings Co., Ltd
EAVF II Aircraft Holdings Limited
EMP Aviation Ireland Limited
Fexco
FGL Aircraft Ireland (FUYO)
Fly Leasing Limited
FPG Amentum
Genesis Aircraft Services Limited
Guardian Holdings Limited
ING Bank N.V., Singapore Branch
Jackson Square Aviation Ireland Limited
KKR Altitude Holdings L.P.
Magnetar Capital
MUFG Bank, Ltd
NGF Overseas Aircraft Limited
Nordic Aviation Capital
Odeon International Holding B.V.
ORIX Aviation Systems Limited
Pembroke Capital/Standard Chartered Bank
Rockton AB
SAIC Holdings Limited
SAS
SATO Aviation Capital
Security Benefits Life Insurance Company
Sierra Echo Aircraft Leasing Limited
Sirius Aviation Capital Holdings Limited
Sky Aero Management Limited
Skyworks Leasing (Ireland) Limited
SMBC Aviation Capital
SolÉir Aviation Capital
ST Aerospace Resources Pte. Ltd
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
TATA SIA Airlines Limited (operating as Vistara)
Titan Aviation
Trustmark National Bank
Vistara
Viva Aerobus
Vueling Airlines, S.A.
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Transport Infrastructure Ireland on the deferral of certain increases in tolls charged across eight PPP toll roads.
- Advised the National Transport Authority on its Connecting Ireland rural transport plan.
- Advised AerCap in connection with its offering of $1 billion aggregate principal amount of the 5.750% unsecured senior notes due 2028.
William Fry LLP
William Fry LLP delivers a broad, cross-departmental service to clients in the transport sector, ranging from major airlines and aircraft leasing companies to port and airport authorities and innovative transport platform providers. The firm has a strong presence in the aviation field; practice head David Maughan and Mary Ward have extensive experience of handling aircraft-related financing transactions and advising on the establishment of aircraft leasing companies and joint ventures, and the team’s expertise in the sector also extends to M&A, regulatory issues and high-profile insolvencies and restructurings involving aviation companies. Projects and construction partner Jarleth Heneghan frequently advises on the development of transport infrastructure, and Garrett Breen is a key contact for contentious matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
David Maughan
Autres avocats clés:
Mary Ward; Jarleth Heneghan; Garrett Breen; Leo Moore; Cassandra Byrne
Principaux clients
Aer Lingus
Aer Dragon Aviation
Aergo
Airbus
Aircraft Purchase Fleet Limited
Asia Aviation Capital
British Airways
Cathay United Bank
CityJet
Credit Agricole CIB
Dublin Airport Authority
Dublin Port Company
Emirates Airlines
Fingal County Council
FREE NOW
Goshawk Aviation Limited
Hamden Aviation
Hammerson
IAG
Montrose Global Aircraft Leasing and Subsidiaries
Natixis
Nordic Aviation Capital
Ping An Leasing
PK AirFinance
Volkswagen
Porsche
Landesbank Hessen Thüringen Girozentrale
Principaux dossiers
- Defending a major truck manufacturer against competition damages claims brought by thousands of hauliers in over 25 countries who purchased trucks.
- Advising Circle K (formerly Topaz) in relation to its participation in the Motorway Service Areas PPP Project – Tranche 2 and its appointment of design and build contractors and operations and maintenance contractors.
- Acted for Aer Lingus in complex High Court proceedings brought by the joint liquidators of USIT (one of Ireland’s largest tour operator companies) and School and Group Tours Limited against a number of international airlines relating to the treatment of refund payments for flights reserved booked prior to USIT entering into liquidation.
Eversheds Sutherland
Eversheds Sutherland‘s transport team focuses on projects and concessions, with particular expertise in the public transport sector and in port and airport-related work. In addition to advising on tenders for transport infrastructure and services projects, the firm handles a wide range of planning, environmental, litigation, and health and safety matters in this field. At the head of the practice, Peter Curran provides ‘on-point, precise advice‘ to public and private entities in the transport sector on procurement, commercial contracts and regulatory matters, while Mark Varian takes the lead on transport infrastructure projects.
Responsables de la pratique:
Peter Curran; Mark Varian
Autres avocats clés:
Stephen Barry; Aonghus McClafferty
Les références
‘Aonghus McClafferty worked exceptionally hard on litigation matters in a very high-pressured, compressed timescale. His efforts and constant engagement resulted in a positive outcome and enabled me to keep senior management well informed.’
‘The entire team is extremely well organized and the collaboration between different teams in the firm works effortlessly.’
‘Peter Curran provides the best and most on-point, precise advice a client can wish for. He quickly gives foreign clients a clear image of the legal and practical situation in Ireland and helps to pursue goals efficiently.’
Principaux clients
ACA Airport Coordination Limited
Apcoa Parking Services
Astral Aviation Limited
BBL Logistics Limited
Bristow Helicopters Limited
CIE
CMA CGM Shipping (Ireland)
Conduent Solutions
Countrywide Freight Group Holdings Limited
Department of Transport
Designa
Dublin Airport Authority
Dachser Group SE & KG
Doyle Shipping Group Unlimited Company
Dublin Port
Emovis Operations Ireland Limited
Euroroute Logistics Limited
FedEx Express Ireland Limited
Fedex Express UK Limited
Fimak Group Limited
Hannon Transport Limited
IALPA
INIT Innovative Inforatikanwendungen in Trasport- Verkehrs- und Leitsystemen GmbH
Irish Ferries Pension Trustee DAC
Johnston Logistics Limited
Lookers Plc
Nippon Express (Ireland) Ltd
Speedy Hire (Ireland) Limited
Swissport Ireland Limited
Boeing
Trustees of the CIE Superannaution Scheme 1951
Turkish Airlines Inc Ireland
UTS Technologies
Verisure Ireland DAC
Yunex Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Bristow Group (a provider of search and rescue services) on its tender to the Department of Transport in Ireland for the national air and sea rescue contract, valued at €800 million.
- Advising NPHDB on all aspects of its procurement of a 30-year concession to operate a 994-space car park at the new National Children’s Hospital in Dublin.
- Advising Conduent on all aspects of its bid for the €3 billion Next Generation Ticketing project being procured currently by the National Transport Authority.
Kennedys
Kennedys has a strong reputation as ‘simply the premier shipping firm in Ireland‘ and is highly skilled in litigation relating to personal injury, collisions, cargo, salvage and damages, with an emphasis on acting for major insurers. The team’s offering in the transport sector also extends to high-profile aviation and road-related disputes. The ‘incredibly responsive‘ Hugh Kennedy, who is renowned for his expertise in the maritime sector, leads the team. Andrew McGahey and Catherine Lyons are the key contacts for contentious aviation matters, including crew, cargo and passenger claims.
Responsables de la pratique:
Hugh Kennedy
Autres avocats clés:
Andrew McGahey; Catherine Lyons; Steven Colgan
Les références
‘Full-service provider for transportation law – they know it all!’
‘They provide excellent advice that is tailored to meet the exact needs of the transportation and shipping industry.’
‘Hugh Kennedy was incredibly responsive and available whenever we needed him.’
Principaux clients
Amlin
British Marine P&I
Brittany Ferries
C H Robinson
CLDN
Etihad Airways
Gard P&I
Irish Ferries
Irish International Freight Association
Northern Marine Underwriters
P&O Ferries
Samskip
Skuld P&I Club
Standard P&I Club
TUI Travel PLC
WE Cox
World Fuel Services
Principaux dossiers
- Instructed by insurers to defend ship-owner COSCO Shipping Captive Insurance Co. following a collision between a COSCO vessel and a French fishing vessel off the coast of Ireland.
- Instructed by Shipowners P&I Club to defend a ferry company which has been erroneously accused of causing a personal injury aboard one of its vessels.
Mason Hayes & Curran LLP
Mason Hayes & Curran LLP‘s transport team stands out for its expertise in the aviation sector, where its practice was significantly bolstered by the arrivals of David McGovern, who joined from Walkers in August 2022, and Julie-Ann Sherry, from an in-house role in August 2023. The team is frequently active in advising on complex aviation finance transactions, in addition to handling high-profile litigation in the sector. The firm also has a presence in shipping matters, where construction partner Rory Kirrane SC takes the lead. Firm chair Christine O’Donovan is also highly regarded for aviation finance.
Responsables de la pratique:
David McGovern; Rory Kirrane SC
Autres avocats clés:
Christine O’Donovan; Julie-Ann Sherry
Les références
‘A very professional and experienced team. They go above and beyond in delivering their services. Seems to be a happy team and that makes working with them very nice. Very responsive and one of the best in the industry. Proud to use them.’
‘David McGovern is very commercially driven and his attention to detail is unique.’
Principaux clients
CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC
BAM Civil Limited
Dragados Ireland Limited and Dragados S.A.
Traffic Tech Europe Ltd
DHL Supply Chain (Ireland) Limited
Irish Life Assurance plc
Irish Aviation Authority
FBD Insurance
Export Development Canada
Zurich Insurance
Bolt ITZ Limited and Bolt Operations OU
Principaux dossiers
- Representing CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC in multimillion-euro insurance coverage litigation against London and international insurers in the Irish Commercial Court, under its contingent and possessed insurance cover, arising out of the loss of several CDB-owned aircraft due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
- Representing BAM and Dragados, the joint venture responsible for the design and construction of the N25 New Ross Bypass PPP Scheme, in complex, multi-party Commercial Court proceedings associated with the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge.
- Advising DHL Supply Chain (Ireland) Limited on the procurement of fit out works at a new logistics facility at Unit 1, Quantum Logistics Park, Dublin.